Grades 5 & 6
Community Christian School continues to offer the Intensive French Program introduced in Grades 5 and 6 in September 2018.
Studies have shown that hearing and speaking for long periods of time is an effective way to learn a second language. Students in Grades 5 and 6 participate in a French language theme-based oral program for two hours each morning. Students begin their day hearing and speaking French, guided by the teacher who models the language through a variety of activities designed to engage students and develop their oral vocabulary. The program is designed for all students to meet with success as they learn the French language and become accustomed to speaking and reading it. Our Grade 5 and 6 Intensive French program is not an immersion program, as students are not being taught specific subjects in French. Rather, the program teaches French much the same way a young child would learn to understand, speak, and write English by conversing in a natural way while participating in class discussions, devotions and prayer, creating art, or practicing music skills.
Grades 5–8
Since our Grades 5 and 6 French program was a success in 2018-19 and we have more students who are comfortable speaking French, it was important to provide the opportunity for further growth in reading, writing, and speaking skills to students ready for the next steps. Select students in grades 5 through 8 receive additional French instruction three afternoons per week. Unlike the Intensive French program, where students are conversing in a natural way, students who choose to participate in our Integrated French program will be taught History and Geography in French, using French resources, and writing their assignments for these two subjects in French.
All our French instruction is taught by a certified educator, who is teaching the same History and Geography lessons and vocabulary to all students in this special class (grades 5-8) but much of their work is project-based and they will be assessed according to their grade level.
“We’re excited to offer an expanded French Program”, says Mrs. Bergsma, Principal. “The goal is to continue to strengthen students’ abilities in French and move beyond core French language instruction. In Eastern Ontario, being able to converse in both English and French is a huge asset.”
We continue to offer our strong core French program in all other grades, using the Accelerative Integrated Method in grades 1 through 4. Through participation in our French programs, students will be better prepared to meet the rigours of high school French classes.
If you have any questions about our French programs, you can contact our Principal, Mrs. Rita Bergsma by emailing us at info@communitychristianschool.ca.
