Français and French Immersion Curriculum Policy and Implementation
Strengthen Français and French Immersion curriculum policy and implementation with a distinct and parallel focus.
What's New
The current Curriculum Policy for the French Immersion Program was initially completed in 1996 and updated in 2008. Since this time, the context of French Immersion in Manitoba has evolved. Building on the findings of the 2014 French Language Education Review, the Bureau de l’éducation française has drafted a new curriculum policy to reflect the current realities and to provide clarity and actionable steps to support the full implementation of the French Immersion Program in Manitoba.
Based on extensive consultations and feedback from school divisions through the 2014 French Language Education Review, an initial first draft of the renewed French Immersion policy document has been prepared. Consultations with school divisions and school leaders were held in November and December.
The Commitment
This policy summarizes the historical context and legal framework that guides French Immersion language education in Manitoba. It also provides a series of administrative policies and best practices schools can utilize to implement the French Immersion Program fully.
With a revised and strengthened policy, school divisions and schools will increase shared understandings of what full implementation of the French Immersion Program means.
Strengthening the French Immersion Policy will support implementation by providing indicators of success in four key areas:
- Creating a French Immersion Setting
- Validation of Students’ Linguistic and Educational Experience
- Educational Staff and Professional Learning
- Student Enrollment Trends
With a revised and strengthened policy, school divisions and schools will increase shared understandings of what full implementation of the French Immersion Program means, as well as recommendations and best practices needed to achieve the renewed vision for the French Immersion Program.
What This Means for Manitobans
A renewed French Immersion Policy is expected to produce the following benefits:
- French Immersion school leaders will
- be better equipped to fully implement the French Immersion Program in their schools
- be supported to achieve the vision of the program allowing all students to develop their language proficiency, achieve academic success, and cultivate their plurilingual identity
- Parents will be better informed about French Immersion programming in Manitoba and will be able to advocate for their children
- Stakeholders will better understand the French Immersion Program in Manitoba and be able to actively advocate for the program
In the long term, it is expected that a strengthened French Immersion Program will result in improvements in the following:
- student enrollment and retention in the program throughout K to 12
- French Immersion Diploma graduation rates
- recruitment and retention rates of French Immersion teachers within Manitoba
Next Steps
Feedback from the November and December consultations will be used to develop a final draft of an updated policy by spring 2023.
A professional learning pilot project for new leaders in the French Immersion Program will continue in 2023. This is a yearlong professional learning opportunity where leaders will engage with the developing, renewed policy and the tools to support full implementation of the French Immersion Program in their schools.
A French Immersion conference planned for May 3, 2023, will introduce Manitoba’s updated French Immersion Policy to school leaders, school division administrators, and French-language education partners.
