From December 2016 to June 2017, the Upper Grand District School Board conducted a review of French as a Second Language (FSL) instruction at the secondary level. For information regarding the Elementary French Review, visit the UGDSB Elementary French Review webpage.

In 2015, the UGDSB initiated a French Review process to address pressures related to FSL instruction and to ensure the sustainability of all English and French Immersion (FI) track programs. As part of a number of approved French Review recommendations, in May 2016 the Board of Trustees moved that once a strategy was approved by the UGDSB for elementary French Immersion, the French Review Committee would begin a review of secondary FSL and submit a report with recommendations for consideration by the UGDSB no later than June 30, 2017. From February to April, 2017, the UGDSB conducted surveys to collect information from secondary students, their parents/guardians, school staff and admin about French Language Instruction in both Core and French Immersion courses, as part of the board-wide review process. These survey responses were analyzed by the French Review Committee, along with other data, and helped form the report that went to the Board of Trustees in June 2017.

The Upper Grand District School Board strives to increase all students’ ability to communicate and interact with growing confidence and proficiency in French. The FSL program teaches students to communicate and interact in French (by listening, speaking, reading, and writing) through real world language opportunities, the use of language learning strategies, and goal setting/reflection.

Our board currently offers Core French and French Immersion at the high school level:

Core French

Students can take French as a subject from Grades 9 – 12. It is mandatory that students take one French credit for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. In addition, a maximum of 2 credits in French can count towards compulsory credits.

French Immersion

French is the language of instruction in several courses. Students enrolled in this program must accumulate ten credits in French: four are for FSL (language) courses; six are for other subjects in which French is the language of instruction. If a student fulfills these requirements, the school grants a certificate in French Immersion.

Extended French

In the extended French program at the secondary level, students accumulate a total of seven credits in which the language of instruction is French; four of these credits are for FSL (language) courses and three are for other subjects in which French is the language of instruction. If a student fulfills these requirements, the school grants a certificate in Extended French.

Documents

• Report of the Secondary FSL Review Committee 2016-17 (June 2017)

• Elementary French Review – Final Approved Recommendations (May 2016)