Canadian Parents for French, PEI

What's in a word? FSL Lingo

FSL

French second-language or French as a second language. A general term for programs that teach French to non-native speakers.

Core French

Core French, also known as basic French, is taught as one subject within a school's curriculum. Ministries of education, school boards and individual schools all have a hand in shaping core French programs, so the grade at which core French is introduced varies, as does the amount of classroom time and the intensity of instruction. Instruction in French language skills and culture is usually introduced between Kindergarten and Grade 4, (in PEI it is Grade 4) with students spending between 20 and 40 minutes per day learning French language arts.

French Immersion

In French immersion programs, French is not only a subject, but also the language of instruction and a means of communication. Much of the regular school curriculum is taught in French. Provinces and territories, as well as school boards and individual schools all have helped to shape immersion programs, so the percentage of French-language instruction may vary.

Early French Immersion

Students are almost completely immersed in French in the first few years of school. In most provinces and territories this begins in Kindergarten or Grade 1. The students are not introduced to English in the classroom until about Grade 4 (could happen as early as Grade 2). French instruction is reduced to 60-80% in grades 4 to 8. In high school two to four subjects taught in French, in addition to a French-language and literature course. By Grade 11-12, students are generally taking only one or two courses in French.