Le programme d'Immersion Française École secondaire Vancouver Technical 2600 Broadway Est.

Vancouver, C.-B. V5M 1Y5

tél: 604.713.8215

Grade 7 French Immersion Information Night. Dec. 6 2012

Bienvenue! Welcome to Vancouver Technical!

Tonight's Agenda:

Please also visit our Van Tech website:

1. Welcome: Ms. Chang, French Immersion Program Coordinator and Educator

2. Canadian Parents for French: Colin Redfern (DPAC Chair, CPF East Van President), Diana Pollock (Outgoing CPF East Vancouver Representative), Suzy Ly (CPF representative, Selkirk)

3. Van Tech Immersion teachers:

  • Ms. Beverly Seed, Principal
  • Ms. Leah Chang, French Immersion Coordinator and Department
  • Mr. Hari Gopaul, Acting French Immersion Coordinator/Dept.
  • Mr. Shane Byron,
  • Ms. Erin
  • Mr. Patrick Delorme
  • Mr. Pierre Grenier
  • Ms. Melanie Beliveau, Sciences (currently on parental leave), Mr. Marc Bégin (EOC)
  • Ms. Katharine Shipley , teacher librarian (currently on parental leave)

4. Van Tech statistics: 1621 students, 110 teachers, 336 grade 8 students (entire school), 233 grade 8-12 French Immersion students, next year: 2 – 3 classes of grade 8 French Immersion (Hastings, Secord, Selkirk and others)

5.French Immersion (FRIM) Vancouver Technical's best features: Bilingual Dogwood AND the D.E.L.F (2 trained teachers), sense of belonging to a strong FRIM community, passionate teachers, diverse francophone backgrounds, wealth of experience, close knit department; we are family! Immersion students are the most involved in the school, gr. 8 Strathcona trip, gr. 11 France Exchange, Communication (FICO) 8,9, and Planification 10= 4 courses in French gr 8, 9, 10, OSEF: 3 week or 3 month exchange and billet with a French or Belgian student.

6. A typical Grade 8 French Immersion timetable (order will change): 4 Immersion courses over 2 days.

Day 1Day 2

MathFrançais langue(FRAL)

FRIM Drama(FRAD)English

Sciences humaines (FSCHF)Sciences naturelles (FSCF)

Elective/French Skills***P.E.

***possibility of a 5th Immersion course: French Immersion Skills 8,9,10

Electives in Grade 8: Tech has many offerings! A sampling of 3 courses over the year

A) Applied Skills: Shop (Woodwork, Metalwork, Electronics, Graphics, Automotive, Drafting), Business Education, Home Economics

B) Fine Arts: Drama, Visual Arts, Music

C) Band

7. What's FICO? : A fun course focusing on improving oral French in active ways, oral practise to gain confidence, presentations, skits, plays, song and dance, field trips, projects, art and cultural appreciation

improvisation, team building activities

a chance to put into practise language elements.

8. What's French Immersion Skills?: Extra help for French Immersion students, One-on-one help from a teacher, small ratio (15-20 per class), help with homework/ learning better study habits, mini-units: organization, learning strategies, test taking skills, support for those who find French or other courses difficult

French Immersion peer tutors.

9. VT French Immersion field trips and events: Vancouver Art Gallery, African Dance with Jackie Essombe (Cameroun), Vancouver International Readers' and Writers' festival, Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Aboriginal Canoe Club, Tour of Radio-Canada/CBC studio, Strathcona Park, France Exchange (South of France, Italy)

10. Grade 8 trip to Strathcona one week Outdoor Education experiential learning, links to Science and Social Studies curriculum, Strathcona Park Lodge (near Campbell River on Vancouver Island), French speaking field guides, kayaking, zip lines, rock climbing, hiking, an overnight canoe trip, bonding that will last until senior year, cost: approx. $400

11. Grade 11 France Exchange: A true, 2 week exchange with a French High school in the South of France (Embrun), students spend 8-9 days with a billet family and a student host, 3-4 nights in Paris, overnight trip to Italy (when possible), week before and first week of Spring break, approx $3300, start saving now! Fund raising can start as early as grade 10.

12. Achieving Success/ Facing Challenges in French Immersion

Elements of success: / Challenges:
•I’ve chosen to be here!
•I love French.
•I’m curious about the world.
•I’m motivated to learn.
•I have a good work ethic.
•I have a good support network (family, friends, teachers).
•I truly want to speak real French. / •Do I like French? •Do I want to be here?
•Am I ready to work hard, can I take ownership of my learning?
•Am I organized?
•Can I ask for help?
•Can I take risks?
•Can I speak up?
•Can I attend regularly?

13. Support for Immersion students: communication between teachers and students, teachers and parents, help with the transition to grade : French Immersion homerooms, extra help at lunch and after school, tutoring contacts (LIFT, peer tutors, or certified teachers), French Immersion skills

14. VT FRIM Graduates are... confident, open minded, knowledgeable of other cultures, successful, involved!

15. Preparing for grade 8 French Immersion: Successfully complete grade 7, over the summer... keep up your French!

16. Pearls of wisdom from our VT French Immersion Students.

17. Application deadlines:In catchment: applications will be brought to your school. Deadline: March 8th. Cross Boundary: obtain Cross Boundary form from Elementary school office, Apply by March 1st. Acceptance letters out March 11th. Must respond/accept by April 2nd.

18. Question and Answer period.

Thank you for coming! Merci d'être venus!