No French? No problem!
The Introductory French program: TFS’ hidden gem and secret formula
Acceptance from JK through Grade 7
Having no knowledge of French has never been an obstacle to joining TFS. The very reason our school was created was to allow students to be educated in both of our founding languages and cultures: French and English. And we were the first in Canada to do so. Ninety percent of the students coming to our school are non French speakers initially. Those who join us with no prior exposure to French are placed in our Introductory French program, which brings them up to the level of their same-grade peers within a year.
Proven and highly effective, the Introductory French program is available from JK up to and including Grade 7. It provides intensive French language development upon starting at TFS, while still following their grade’s curriculum. Depending on the student’s age and stage, the program allows for integration into regular classes during that year or at the beginning of the next school year. For the most part, they also follow their grade level curriculum, but spend more time on French language instruction.
How our new French learners become bilingual
Is it the methodology, the dedicated teachers, or the natural ability of children to learn a new language? It’s undoubtedly a combination of all three that makes the program such a fascinating and rewarding experience .
Depending on which grade they join TFS, our students are either placed in separate introductory classes or frequently join small groups of new French learners, in addition to taking part in their regular classes where they benefit from the support of a teacher experienced working with both the Introductory French and the regular bilingual programs.
Over the course of a single school year, our Intro students go from having little or no knowledge of French in September to quickly developing comprehension and speaking skills, and depending on their age, reading and writing skills as well. By the time June comes around, they can engage in full conversations and provide complex and thoughtful responses, with respect to the child's age.
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“From the very first day, I felt a strong sense of belonging as an Intro student at TFS. And thanks to the comprehensive support and caring environment, my French proficiency grew so quickly — within a few months, I could read, write and speak with confidence.”George G. — Grade 7 Introductory French program student
Learning French is fun!
Just as they do for all our students, Introductory French teachers speak French every day in class, and use a wide variety of strategies and resources to make learning French fun. In our caring environment, our students are empowered to use French throughout their school day, from the classroom, gym and music lessons, to lunch and library, and quickly gain fluency and mastery. As they hone their French skills, their English skills continue to flourish as well, and so does their academic success as they learn their grade’s curriculum.
By the time they graduate, all our students are fully bilingual in English and French⸺languages they have studied, but also languages in which a range of other subjects are taught. And they are ready to take that language prowess into university and beyond.
Our alumni can relate
Sandra Wever ‘09 — Director, Planning at UM Canada
Our Introductory French program gives them a whole new world.
In one year we can transform English-only students into bilingual learners, providing them with a second language and a wider world.
Sandra Wever ‘09 arrived at TFS in Grade 7, entering our Introductory French program. She quickly gained French language skills and had no problem getting involved. In fact that year she was elected Class Rep! By Level III (Grade 10) she was the student council’s vice president and in her final year, Sandra became the Senior School’s first ever Head Girl, along with the very first Head Boy.
“French is such an important part of my life. I went to McGill University in Montreal. Now I work for a global media company. Having that linguistic background has given me many more opportunities than if I hadn’t started French at TFS.”
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