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French as a Second Language (FSL)

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Being able to communicate in French (one of Canada's two official languages) is important to families in Ottawa. We provide a path for your child to become an independent user of the French language.


All of our Ottawa Catholic schools offer French as a Second Language (FSL) pathways for our students. 

We have a number of FSL entry points to choose from, beginning as early as Junior Kindergarten. Learning another language opens the door to intercultural understanding career development opportunities. We are dedicated to ensuring our students feel confident and secure in exploring the French language. Our FSL programs aim to enable our students to communicate in French in a variety of school, travel, leisure and job related contexts. We want to ensure that we provide an open environment where students feel free to experiment, allowing students to take risks in speaking French, whether they are in core, extended, or immersion programs. 

The Ministry of Education requires students to have completed 3,800 hours of French instruction by the end of Grade 8 in order to enter the French Immersion program in Grade 9. In order to meet this requirement, Grade 4 is designated as the entry point for Immersion. 

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Navigating your way through the many different options for FSL programs can be difficult. We have included a brief summary of the options available to our students from Kindergarten through to Grade 12. View the text summary by clicking here >>

Are you more of a visual learner? Here is a handy diagram to explain the pathway options for our students.

French Immersion in Kindergarten

Students in half day kindergarten programs (both junior and senior) receive 50% French Immersion instruction. Students in existing full day kindergarten programs offer 25% Extended French instruction.

But, starting in September 2012, fifteen (15) new full day kindergarten school sites will begin offering 50% French Immersion (instead of the usual 25%). This pilot model will be evaluated during the 2012-2013 school year, and a recommendation to include the French Immersion program (50%) for ALL full day kindergarten sites will be submitted to the Board for the 2013-2014 school year.

  View a fill list of schools with Full Day Kindergarten >>  

Dual-Track Centres - French Immersion in Grades 4 to 6

The Ottawa Catholic School Board has 46 elementary schools which offer the French Immersion program for students in Grades 4 to 6. These 46 schools are called Dual-Track Centres - because they offer both Extended French (25%) and French Immersion (50%) programs. As of 2012, we have also introduced the French Immersion (50%) program into another nine (9) schools for Grade 4 students only, and will be phasing in French Immersion for Grade 5 and 6 classes for these nine (9) schools over the next two years.

But don't worry! If your child's home school is not a Dual-Track Centre (or does not have the French Immersion program) we will make sure that they can register in a school which does, and will even provide transportation services (from your home or caregiver) to the designated Dual-Track Centre in your area.

The following conditions apply:  

  • Siblings must attend their designated home school, unless they choose to enter into the Grade 4 to 6 French Immersion program, at which time they would be directed to their designated Dual-Track Centre;
  • There may be different start and end times at the home school and the Dual-Track Centre; and 
  • Bussing to a Dual-Track Centre is provided from a stop near your home or caregiver, similar to the way it is for your home school.


If you choose the Extended French program (25%) for your Grade 4 to 6 child, they will remain at their designated home school. But, once your child reaches Grade 4, and if you choose the French Immersion program (50%), then your child will be directed to the Dual-Track Centre designated for your home school. That is, if your home school does not offer French Immersion (50%) in Grades 4 to 6, then we have designated a school close-by for your child to attend once they reach Grade 4 (through to grade 6), and we will provide transporation services to that school.

  View a full listing of Dual-Track Centres and a listing of Feeder Schools >>  

Contact Us

The school principal should always be your primary contact for inquiries regarding educational programs. 

Simone Oliver, Superintendent of Student Success, Elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 6) Phone: 613-224-4455 ext 2345Fax:613-224-3932

Manon Seguin, Superintendent of Student Success, Intermediate/Secondary (Grades 7-12) Phone: 613-224-4455 ext 2371Fax:613-225-4284 


Student Success Department
570 West Hunt Club Road
Nepean, Ontario K2G 3R4

  Visit Student Success Department >>  


 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

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Our programs also have to meet the needs of a diverse multicultural classroom where French may be the third or even fourth language that the students are learning. Students learn to work together, building acceptance and tolerance. And there is no better way to achieve this than learning a new language together.

Which subjects will be taught in the French language?

We have broken down the list of subjects taught in French and English in the various different pathways for our students. Find out which subjects are offered in the French lanugage of instruction for students in all grade levels. 

  Read more >>  

FSL Homework Toolbox

The FSL Homework Toolbox is a useful resource for parents and students. The website features: general tips for learning French; strategies for reading, writing and mathematics; tips for completing homework; learning skills and work habits; glossaries; frequently asked questions; and popular French books and music.

   Visit fslhomeworktoolbox.ca