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Choosing to provide your child with bilingual education is an important decision. Whether you are considering enrolling your child in the French Immersion program, or simply looking for information on French-second-language (FSL) learning opportunities, French for Life is proud to support parents of FSL students.
Discover why bilingualism is so vital in today’s world, what you can do to help your child and what current research is saying about the importance of bilingualism. Get answers to your questions, learn where you can turn for support or start your own journey towards bilingualism in Canada’s official languages!
FSL Programs and FAQs
Learn about the differences between French Immersion, Intensive French and Basic French in Manitoba. Get answers to common questions asked by parents of FSL students.
7 Reasons to Learn Languages
- Global Citizenship: Language skills help us identify with humanity, not just as citizens of a nation or residents of a place.
- Travel: When exploring our own country or traveling abroad, language knowledge increases the authenticity of experiences and fosters spontaneous conversation.
- Cultural Enrichment: Appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of music, movies and stories from around the world. Translations can rarely be true to the intent, beauty style and uniqueness of the original work.
- Employment: Learning languages enhances skills that assist in a variety of career paths, at home and abroad.
- Friendship: Speaking other languages and embracing other cultures can connect you with people from around the world.
- Lifelong Learning: Once a person has learned a second language, the acquisition of additional languages is much easier.
- Because we can!: Have you ever met someone who regrets having learned another language?
Programs and FAQs
- My Child in School: A user-friendly website that provides an overview of the curriculum content to help parents.
- French: Communication and CultureAn informative document on the new French Course for students in the English program.
- French Immersion: Introduction to the French Immersion program in Manitoba.
- French Immersion in Manitoba – Map: Informative brochure on French Immersion schools in Manitoba.
- Intensive French: Information on the Intensive French program offered in Manitoba.
- Why learn French in Canada
- Facts about the French language
- Glossary
- Tips
Articles and Research
Discover what current Canadian research has to say about bilingualism and the brain, about early language acquisition, multitasking and much more!
- Benefits of Second Language Study – Research
- Phenomenal demand for French Immersion across the United States
- Evolution of English French Bilingualism
- 2011 Census Finds Positive Gains in Number of Bilingual Canadians
- The Added Value of Learning Another Language – La valeur ajoutée de l’apprentissage d’une langue
- Advantages of bilingualism (Barker, 2002)
- Canadian Heritage – History of Bilingualism in Canada
- French Immersion in Manitoba Report 2002
- How Children learn languages including timeline.pdf
- Math Skills and French Immersion
- Raising Bilingual Children: Common Parental Concerns and Current Research
- 2006 Census – Population by knowledge of official language, by province and territory
- Study Being Bilingual protects the brain
- Study on second language brain benefits
- The Values and Choices of Exogamous Couples
- “My child goes to French school: What role should I play?”
- Challenges acquiring native fluency in second language
- Languages of business
- Mental math dependant on language
- New Language Learning Linked To Early Language Experience
Videos
View a selection of informative video-clips specifically addressing questions and concerns common to parents of French-second-language students.
When Sara Met Sally
The Conversation
Supporting Organizations
One of the best resources you have access to is your child’s teacher. Your local school division and parent council can also provide support and information. View a selection of organizations that can provide you with support.
Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers (CAIT)
ACPI/CAIT is a professional organization which, through continuing education, research, intervention and communication, supports and develops solid pedagogical practice and promotes French Immersion.
Canadian Parents for French
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is the national network of volunteers that values French as an integral part of Canada and which is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French second-language learning opportunities for young Canadians.
Bureau de l’éducation française (BEF)
Basic French courses are offered from Grades 4 to 12 in the English schools in Manitoba. This site contains information regarding Basic French material created by the Department of Education. It also provides links to various practical Internet sites that are related to the teaching and learning of French as a second language.
Manitoba Education – French Immersion
Manitoba Education recognizes the French Immersion program as one of the four official school programs (English, Français and Senior Years Technology Education).
Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers (CASLT)
CASLT/L’ACPLS is devoted to the cause of second-language teachers. The term second-language encompasses both the official languages of Canada and international languages.
L’Association canadienne d’éducation de langue française (ACELF)
ACELF provides stakeholders in French language education with a vision, development tools and the construction of cultural identity.
Français pour l’avenir
A not-for-profit organization that motivates youth to learn and live in French.
Manitoba Association of Teachers of French (MATF)
Offers resources and support to teachers of French as a second-language
Éducatrices et éducateurs froncophones du Manitoba (EFM)
ÉFM represents the 1500 members of the Manitoba Teachers Society who work in French, in the French Immersion program, and responds to the needs of its members by offering them French language services.
Adult Learning Opportunities
Explore some opportunities available to adults who want to learn French and start your journey towards bilingualism today!
Université de Saint-Boniface
Located in the heart of Old St. Boniface, the Continuing Education Division of the Université de Saint-Boniface provides rich and varied language programming offered by qualified, specially trained and committed instructors.
French courses range from beginner-level proficiency to advanced proficiency, including conversational-based courses.
Alliance française du Manitoba
French courses range from beginner-level proficiency to advanced proficiency, including conversational-based courses.
Courses specific to the needs of Public Service employees.
Rosetta Stone
Interactive software that can help you learn a language in a fun, effective and enjoyable way.
Talk In French
A website that helps motivated learners to improve their French and create a learning habit
Opportunities for Students
Learn more about the educational and employment exchanges available to your children, about French language post-secondary opportunities, and much more.
Université de Saint-Boniface
Established in Manitoba 200 years ago, l’Université de Saint-Boniface offers a friendly and supportive learning environment to French-speaking students from around the world.
Odyssey – Odyssée
Full-time, remunerated language assistant program for Anglophones, wishing to work in a francophone environment, and vice versa.
Participants support a teacher by leading language activities, in English, in an Elementary, Secondary, or Post-Secondary classroom.
Canadian citizens who have completed at least one year of Post-Secondary studies within the last 10 years.
YMCA Summer Works Student Exchange/Emplois d’été Échanges étudiants YMCA
Remunerated summer work experience program, offering participants the opportunity to work in their second official language.
Students from different regions of Canada move to a new community and create an agenda of activities to learn about each other and their new community. Transportation to and from the host community is provided free of charge by VIA Rail.
16 and 17-year-old students.
Rideau Hall Interpretive Guide
Remunerated Guide-Interpreters greet visitors and conduct guided tours while interpreting various themes and presenting interpretative programs to a diversified, international clientele. Participants must possess excellent oral communication skills in both English and French.
Bilingual individuals who qualify for the Federal Student Work Experience3 Program.
Student Guide Program
Remunerated guide-interpreters give guided tours in battlefield terrain and underground tunnels while providing operational support to visitor’s centers on the site of World War 1 memorials in France. Participants have access to shared housing with other guide-interpreters.
Bilingual individuals who can provide written proof of full-time student status and who qualify for the Federal Student Work Experience Program.
The Senate Page Program
Remunerated work experience. Senate Pages are responsible for a variety of activities associated with the legislative process. Participants must complete a training program and work around their class schedule.
Students enrolled in full-time studies at Carleton University, Saint-Paul’s University, the University of Ottawa and the Université du Québec.
House of Commons Page Program
Remunerated House of Commons’ Pages serve the Speaker, Chair Occupants, Members of Parliament and Table Officers in various capacities. Pages work a minimum of 15 hours per week while completing their first year of studies.
First-year students enrolled in full-time studies at Carleton University, Saint-Paul’s University, the University of Ottawa and the University of Québec.
Réseau international de la jeunesse
The RIJ is an internship that allows participants to undertake a practical work experience, in French, in a member Francophonie country. This unique and rewarding experience will help broaden your understanding of the world, discover new cultures, and acquire new knowledge while developing new skills.
Canadian citizens aged 18 to 30.
Juno Beach Centre’s Guide Program
Remunerated guide-interpreters participate in special events, and inform visitors of Canada’s contribution to the Second World War and contemporary Canada. A passport and French visa is required.
Bilingual Post-Secondary students or individuals who have graduated within the past year.
Programme d’échange
Manitoba-Québec Exchange Program
Manitoban students are paired with Québec students for a six-month period; three months in Manitoba and three months in Québec. Students live and attend school with their pair during their exchange semester; they receive one credit for completing the program.
French Immersion and strong Basic French students in Grades 10, 11 and 12.
Experiences Canada (Formerly SEVEC)
Multiple programs: Youth Exchanges Canada, Youth Advisory Committee (The YAK), Youth Saluting Youth, Rendez-vous Canada.
Groups from different regions are paired and billet each other. A typical exchange lasts one week.
Groups of 10 to 30 participants, between the ages of 12 and 17.
Forum for Young Canadians
Forum pour jeunes canadiens
A bilingual, educational, behind-the-scenes experience, created to teach teens about the political processes that are used to govern Canada.
Students 15 to 19 years of age.
Explore
A five-week immersion program for students wishing to enhance their French-language skills. Students attend a college or university in a francophone environment.
Canadian citizens, at least in Grade 11, or studying at the Post- Secondary level; must have been a full-time student for one term during the current school year.
École Québec Monde
A language school offering French classes to anyone in the world who wishes to learn and experience French in Québec City. A variety of programs are offered.
Students must be at least 18 years of age to enroll at École Québec Monde. It is possible to conditionally accept students who are under 18 years of age with an authorization letter from a parent or guardian.
Education First
Education First is the world’s largest provider of international exchange programs. Learn a language. Study abroad. Explore other cultures.
Programs range from 2 to 52 weeks in length.
Programs for adults and students.
Homework Help
Online French Language Tutoring provides access to highly qualified and certified teachers who can meet your student on a regular basis to work on improving their French language reading skills together.
FSL Homework Help Toolbox
A French-second-language resource for parents and students, created by the Rainbow District School Board in Ontario.
The French Experiment
Free online French lessons and children’s stories with slow audio and written translation.
Learning and Living in French In Manitoba
Since the 2006 onset of the French for Life project, enrollment in the French Immersion program in Manitoba, has increased by 29%! This project provides materials and tools, which can be used to further promote French second-language learning, and enhance an appreciation of the benefits of official language bilingualism.
The materials include informative booklets, promotional posters, videos for children and parents as well as displays.
