Toronto’s French Immersion Enrolment is on the Rise

There’s a buzz around French Immersion that keeps growing

The popularity of French Immersion is soaring not just here in Toronto but right across the country. Each spring anxious parents camp out on sidewalks by the schools to snag precious enrolment spots. Some school districts such as Peel have been forced to introduce a lottery system for enrolment. So why all the hype around this school option?

Being able to speak a second language is definitely a gift in life. However the real attraction for many parents around French Immersion is it provides the benefit of a private school without the hefty tuitions.

Parents who are ambitious for their children use French immersion as a form of streaming. Their kids do very well in school – not because they’re learning French, but because they’d do well anywhere. These are the same kids who started out in Montessori school. Their parents know that peer groups matter and that French-immersion classes are full of other bright, accomplished children. There are very few children with behavioural problems, special education or ESL students in French immersion. French immersion is also a way to get the benefits of a top public school even if you can’t afford to live near one.

But if you actually expect your child to wind up speaking fluent French, you might be disappointed. After graduation, many of them never use their French again. Why would they? They don’t need it unless they live in Quebec or New Brunswick. Attrition rates are high, as some kids struggle to keep up and do not do well learning in a second language. French proficiency is surprisingly low. Some parents are dismayed because their kids don’t become proficient in either language. Some of them struggle in science and math.

The program is great for some students but not for all. Do our homework and make sure that your child is a good fit for the program before you jump on the French Immersion bandwagon. If you child did not pick up English quickly then chances are that they will not blossom in this program and there may be better school option for you child.

In Etobicoke there is a guaranteed spot in French Immersion for all kids that live in the area and apply on time.  The school choice however is not guaranteed.