French Immersion

Regina Catholic Schools Celebrates 40 years of French Immersion Programming!

2009-2010 will see a celebration of 40 years of French Immersion programming being available in the Regina Catholic School Division.
French Immersion is a highly successful choice program in Saskatchewan and in Canada. It started in St. Lambert, Quebec in the early 1960s and quickly made its way throughout the country. In Saskatchewan, the program started in Gravelbourg, Saskatoon and Regina in the late 60s. 

St. Pius X Elementary was the first school in the Division to officially house the program and it opened its doors in September 1969 to 25 Grade 1 students. After 40 years, there are now six French Immersion schools in the Regina Catholic School Division: four elementary schools (St. Andrew, St. Angela, St. Pius X and St. Mary) and two high schools (Archbishop M.C. O’Neill and Dr. Martin LeBoldus). There are more than 1,600 students in the program today the enrolment is steadily increasing.

Regina Catholic Schools is proud to offer official language learning!
Fiers d’offrir un enseignement dans les deux langues officielles!
 

Research findings have consistently shown that French Immersion is the most effective method for teaching French to Anglophones where functional bilingualism is the desired goal. In Immersion programs the pupil "lives" all or a significant part of the total school experience in the second language. The pupil learns in French rather than about French. French Immersion students are taught all or a large part of the regular curriculum in French using French textbooks. All assignments, written and oral, are completed in French and the language of instruction is French. By the end of elementary school, Immersion students approach functional levels in French listening, comprehension and reading skills, although they are usually distinguishable from Francophones in speaking and writing skills. When students have taken advantage of the opportunity to use their French language skills with Francophones outside the classroom, even this distinction can disappear. Continuing French Immersion (secondary French Immersion) refers to the continuation of a French Immersion program at the high school level. Its objective is to ensure that competence in French keeps pace with the student's intellectual and general maturity.

Regina Catholic Schools is proud to offer French Immersion in four elementary schools and two high schools. Contact individual schools for additional information, or Diane Lacasse, Languages Coordinator, Regina Catholic Education Center at 306.791.1704.

French Immersion Elementary Schools

École St. Andrew 621 Douglas Avenue 306.791.7300 (Preschool available)

École St. Angela Merici 6823 Gillmore Dr. 306.791.7305

École St. Mary 140 McIntosh St. N. 306.791.7365 (Preschool available)

École St. Pius X 3301 Garnet St. 306.791.7385 (Preschool available)

French Immersion High Schools

Archbishop M.C. O'Neill 134 Argyle St. 306.791.7240

Dr. Martin LeBoldus 2330 - 25th Ave. 306.791.7250