On this page:
The French Immersion Policy
This page, intended primarily for school and divisional leaders, provides essential resources to support the full implementation of the French Immersion Program in their schools. Grounded in the French Immersion Policy (2023) and the Program Vision, it brings together practical tools, supporting documents, and professional learning opportunities.
The French Immersion Policy in Manitoba
The purpose of The French Immersion Policy in Manitoba (
) is three-fold:
- to set out the historical and legal context of French language public education in Manitoba;
- to provide a series of administrative policies and requirements of the French Immersion Program for Manitoba schools;
- to provide a common framework of the foundational principles and effective implementation of the Program.
For French documents, please visit: La politique d’immersion française au Manitoba (mai 2023) | Éducation et Apprentissage de la petite enfance Manitoba
Summary Table for the Full Implementation of the French Immersion Program in Manitoba
The Four Key Areas – Posters of Implementation Guidelines
- Creating a French Immersion Setting ()
- Validation of Students’ Linguistic and Educational Experience ()
- Educational Staff and Professional Learning ()
- Student Enrolment Trends ()
The Vision of the French Immersion Program
The Vision of the French Immersion Program in Manitoba () lays the foundation for the French Immersion Program so that students benefit from a rich French Immersion experience where they develop their French language proficiency, achieve academic success, and cultivate their plurilingual identity. The goal of the French Immersion Program is to develop proud, confident, engaged, plurilingual global citizens. The French version of the vision document is also available. ()
Support Documents for Leaders
The following documents and tools are provided to support the full implementation of the Program:
School Self-assessment and Planning in French Immersion
The Four Key Areas - School Self-assessment Tools
Towards Successful School Planning in French Immersion
This tool supports school leaders and their teams by offering a reflective process to identify priorities for the upcoming school year in French immersion.
The Vision of the French Immersion Program in Manitoba
Video: Sœur Dumesnil - The Role of Leadership in the French Immersion Program
In this video, Sœur Dumesnil, principal of Manitoba's first French immersion school established in 1973, shares her experiences about the beginnings of the French Immersion Program and offers her perspectives on the role of school leadership.
The following guide can support reflection and discussion with regards to themes presented in the video:
Video: Student Voices - Stories of their French Immersion Experience
In this video, students from across the province share their individual perspectives of their school experience in the French Immersion Program.
The following guide can support reflection and discussion with regards to themes presented in the video:
The Vision in Action: The Seven Program Expected Outcomes of The French Immersion Program
This guide, intended for French immersion educators, aims to deepen understanding of the seven program expected outcomes and illustrate their interconnectedness. It further proposes actions for both the students and the educator as they target the seven program expected outcomes.
As educators support students in the development of their language, culture, and plurilingual identity, it is by focusing on these seven outcomes that the vision of the French Immersion Program comes to life in our schools and classrooms.
Key Area: Creating a French Immersion Setting
Schoolscapes in French Immersion Schools
This document, developed as a companion guide to the video Schoolscapes in French Immersion Context, supports school leaders in observing, analyzing, and enhancing the schoolscape to strengthen the visibility of French throughout the school and reinforce a sense of belonging to the French immersion community.
Support Document: Schoolscapes in French Immersion ()
Video: Schoolscapes in French Immersion
Fostering Inclusion in French Immersion in Manitoba - FAQs for Leaders
This document is intended to support French immersion leaders in fostering an inclusive environment in their schools.
Fostering Inclusion in French Immersion in Manitoba ()
Key Area: Validation of Students’ Linguistic and Educational Experience
Integration and Creation of Cultural Referents in French Immersion in Manitoba (coming soon)
Objectives of this document for school leaders:
- Define what cultural referents are and illustrate their diversity
- Build connections between language, culture and identity
- Understand the role of passeur culturel.
- Identify what the integration and creation of cultural referents look like in a school setting
Support Document: Integration and Creation of Cultural Referents (coming soon) ()
Répertoire d'activités éducatives et culturelles
Le Répertoire d’activités culturelles et éducatives (RAEC) (in French only) is intended for Kindergarten to Grade 12 educators who work in French‑language education in Manitoba. The proposed activities support the integration of language, culture, and identity within educational activities.
Guide for French Immersion Leaders: Classroom Visits and Pedagogical Dialogue
What does a French language-rich experience look and sound like in immersion classrooms, regardless of subject area and grade level?
Support Document: Classroom Visits and Pedagogical Dialogue ()
Key Area: Educational Staff and Professional Learning
Key Area: Student Enrolment
The French Immersion Program in Manitoba: Information Session Slide Deck
This brief slide deck presentation on the French Immersion Program in Manitoba has been developed to support school leaders in their presentations to parents/guardians during information sessions.
The purpose of this presentation and the accompanying documentation are to:
- provide a resource containing key messages and common language that may be integrated into current school presentations
- provide parents/guardians with information to assist with their decision-making regarding the French Immersion Program, including its benefits and its implementation within our schools
- foster open and concise communication that supports the collaborative partnership between the school and parents as students develop their French language proficiency, achieve academic success, and cultivate their plurilingual identity
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Professional Learning
The professional learning offered by the Bureau de l’éducation française supports the full implementation of the French Immersion Program. The sessions provide leaders and teachers with opportunities to deepen understanding of key themes and effective practices in French immersion.
Professional Learning Cohort for New French Immersion Leaders – 2026-2027
Participants: New French immersion system and school leaders who have held their position for five years or less
Commitment: Six full-day, in person, bilingual sessions during the 2026/2027 school year. (See online registration form for dates).
Cost: There is no registration fee. The BEF will cover costs associated with travel for all participants, and accommodation costs for those who reside more than 150 km from Winnipeg.
Learn more: Poster – Professional Learning Opportunity ()
Registration: Please complete the online registration form by June 26, 2026.
Questions? Contact Manuel Silva, Curriculum Consultant, by email at manuel.silva@gov.mb.ca.
Professional Learning for All French Immersion Leaders – 2026-2027
Participants: French immersion school leaders
Learn more: Refer to Poster – Professinal Learning for French Immersion Leaders () and to the list below for descriptions of these bilingual sessions and upcoming dates. These sessions are offered on a recurring basis.
Cost: There is no registration fee.
Registration: Please complete the online registration form. Registration closes one week prior to the session date.
Overview Session on the French Immersion Program in Manitoba: Parent Information Session Slide Deck
Date: January 20, 2027, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., or from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Teams
Objective: To provide an overview of the slide deck presentation and accompanying guide developed to support school leaders in their presentations to parents/guardians during information sessions on the French Immersion Program.
Fostering an Inclusive Environment in French Immersion: Session for Leaders and Student Services Staff
Date: January 26, 2027, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Room 217, 1181 Portage Ave., Winnipeg
Objective: To encourage leaders and Student Services to reflect on their role in fostering an inclusive environment in the French Immersion Program.
Participants will examine their school context, as well as the influence of values and beliefs in light of provincial policies on inclusion and the French Immersion Program. A panel discussion of French immersion school leaders will address the role of the leader and offer useful practices.
Pedagogy in French Immersion: Development of Language Competencies and Best Practices
Dates: February 25 and 26, 2027, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Room 508, 1181 Portage Ave., Winnipeg
Objective: To explore the unique character of French immersion, highlighting the transdisciplinary nature of the French language and the development of French language competencies across various subject areas. The second day will focus on the impact of best practices on student success.
Drawing on the French Immersion Policy and current research, participants will deepen their understanding of their role as pedagogical leaders and gain meaningful insights into what they should see and hear in an immersion classroom, regardless of grade level or subject area.
School Planning: Toward the Full Implementation of the French Immersion Program
Dates: March 5, 2027, or April 19, 2027, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Room 217, 1181 Portage Ave., Winnipeg
Objective: To support school leaders in the development of their school plan for the French Immersion Program. Leaders are encouraged to attend with a member of their school team, if possible.
Participants will explore the four key areas of the full implementation of the Program, use the school self-assessment tools related to the French immersion policy to establish an informed overview of their school’s current context, and determine the priorities that may factor into their school plan using a newly developed tool.
Questions? Contact Carole Hébert, Curriculum Consultant, by email at carole.hebert@gov.mb.ca.
Professional Learning Cohort for French Immersion Teachers – 2026-2027
Participants: K–12 French immersion teachers
Commitment: Five full-day sessions in Winnipeg. The learning series is offered in French.
Cost: There is no registration fee. The BEF will cover travel and substitute costs for all participants, as well as accommodation costs for those who reside more than 150 km from Winnipeg.
Learn more: Poster – Bringing the French Immersion Vision to Life for Students ()
Registration: Please complete the online registration form by June 26, 2026.
Questions? Contact Amy Warriner, Curriculum Consultant, at amy.warriner@gov.mb.ca.
Newsletter: Leadership in Action
- Fall 2026 Newsletter () (coming soon)
Contact
French Language Education Policy and Planning Unit
Bureau de l’éducation française Division
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning
Phone: 204-945-6916
Email: BEF@gov.mb.ca
