Why Grade 7 is not too late to start a bilingual education
Whenever I meet parents outside of the TFS world and I tell them that I’m Head of School here, I often get a similar reaction. Typically it’s something along the lines of: “I wish I had sent my kids to TFS but it’s too late now.” Interestingly, their kids are often still in primary school. And while many believe that if you don’t start with immersion from kindergarten then it’s too late, that is absolutely not the case.
The truth is, we have many students who join us each year, up to and including Grade 7, having only ever studied core French - or no French - in school. And yet, they absolutely thrive in our immersive, supportive environment. Kids, it turns out, are often brilliant at picking up languages and rise to the occasion when the opportunity presents itself.
What our families love about TFS is that you don’t need a French background to send your children here. In fact, over 90% of our families are not Francophones. They typically speak English or another language at home. Even so, when immersed in our program, they absorb everything within the classrooms and on the school yard and they thrive. And, sometimes parents pick up a little French along the way.
What our families love about TFS is that you don’t need a French background to send your children here. In fact, over 90% of our families are not Francophones. They typically speak English or another language at home. Even so, when immersed in our program, they absorb everything within the classrooms and on the school yard and they thrive. And, sometimes parents pick up a little French along the way.
For those kids who have already started at another school—independent, private or public—our Introductory French program is designed to ease the transition. Created for those who don’t speak French, the program provides students with a solid foundation while following the regular curriculum, meaning students are learning all the required subjects while gaining French skills. By the end of the school year, these students have made remarkable progress. They’re engaging in full conversations and offering thoughtful responses in French.
That being said, we hear the concerns of English-speaking families wondering how they’ll support their child’s education in a language they don’t speak. But that’s the beauty of the TFS model - it’s built around supporting the student within the classroom. Our teachers are highly experienced in working with students who are new to French. We foster independence and confidence from the very beginning, ensuring that students feel capable throughout their language-learning journey.
We know that for many families Grade 7 is a natural transition, marking the end of elementary school and the start of middle school. For some students, this is the ideal time to seek a more challenging and engaging program—something that will really prepare them for high school and beyond.
What’s exciting about starting at TFS in Grade 7 is that students are at a stage where they can really embrace new challenges and dive into new experiences. We’ve seen many join at this level, and they quickly integrate into the school community, benefiting from the rigorous academics, diverse co-curriculars and the strong sense of belonging that TFS offers.
Every time I speak with alumni I hear about all the doors their French education has opened for them. We know that learning French unlocks their ability to pick up other languages more easily as well. Once you’ve learned one language, particularly through immersion, the process of learning a second or third becomes far less intimidating.
That’s why I believe the benefits of French immersion go far beyond achieving fluency in both official languages. It’s about fostering global awareness and developing the ability to think from diverse perspectives. It empowers our students with a global mindset, preparing them to confidently take their seat on the world stage.
To learn more about TFS’ Grade 7 introductory French Program, visit our French Introductory page or contact our admissions office.
To learn more about TFS’ Grade 7 introductory French Program, visit our French Introductory page or contact our admissions office.
