French immersion teacher Dee Simpson from Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary School interacts with students during a class where all subjects are taught in the French language, with very little English being spoken. A total of 26 Grade 6/7 students have enrolled in the class. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
The school district’s premiere French immersion class at Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary is already a big hit with students.
“A bunch of people were talking about it, so I thought it would be cool (to take),” said Grade 7 pupil Dillon Wiens.
He is one of 26 students in the class taught exuberantly by Dee Simpson. “The students are catching on . . . I’m seeing a sense of accomplishment and pride (among them),” she said.
The pupils are learning everything in French, including math and science. Simpson intersperses her teaching with a little English to ensure the students understand.
When a student says something unexpectedly in French, she immediately perks up and offers praise.
The teacher is quick to point out the benefits of such a class, noting it is giving the students a sense of culture. They are also learning that French can help them in their careers.
Dillon said knowing French will help you get a government job. “I like learning a new language. It’s hard sometimes, but sometimes it’s really easy.”
Dillon noted he would also like to learn Spanish.
Fellow student Amy Tite said the French immersion class is a very friendly environment where everyone likes to take risks in learning the language. For example, no one feels bad about making a mistake because they are learning something new.
Amy said she wanted to take French immersion to prepare her for high school French.
She pointed out there are a lot of similarities between French and English, but learning new verbs is hard, she admitted.
Amy said hosting the district’s first French immersion class is “pretty special.”
Principal Shendah Benoit said due to federal grants, they have purchased French literacy and numeracy materials, as well as 12 iPads.
“We look forward to enriching our school with this language based program,” she stated.
Benoit said the school’s inquiry this year asks the question: How can we continue to focus on literacy and numeracy through the lens of the competencies?
She noted the BC Ministry of Education has introduced six competencies for the K-12 education system. They include communication, critical thinking, creative thinking, social responsibility, personal awareness and a positive cultural identity.
By Lyonel Doherty
