Notre Shawnigan
Shawnigan Lake School is proud to be rooted in our Canadian heritage and its diversity. Traditionally, our campus has been inclusive and friendly to Francophone and francophile students. Over the past five years we have enhanced our offerings for students with French Immersion background or very advanced skills in the French language. We want to continue to serve all our French learners with French courses, exams and experiential learning opportunities that create a unique pathway to developing fluency, mastery and passion for the French language.
Our students are placed based on proficiency levels and may pursue French language and culture studies at the highest levels possibly offered in high school. Some of our students will be equipped to apply to bilingual programs at various Universities in Canada (http://acufc.ca/formations/). Therefore, a student coming with significantly advanced French skills may join our French Immersion classes.
French Immersion Courses
The students have the opportunity to take the following courses:
- Français langue seconde - Immersion 8, 9, 10*, 12*
- Langue et culture de la francophonie 11*
- Sciences humaines et sociales 10*
- Histoire du monde au XXe siècle 12
- Éducation au choix de carrière 10*
Double Dogwood
Students pursuing the Double Dogwood are required to complete all the courses noted with a *, in addition to completing one of the two other courses offered at the senior level. French immersion students and francophone students are entitled to take the BC numeracy and literacy assessments in the French language.
Testing: DELF and AP
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DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française)
All French learners at Shawnigan have the opportunity to participate in testing for the Diplôme d’Étude en Langue Française (DELF) scolaire and junior certificates which are offered at Shawnigan in April or May. These allow learners to measure their level of achievement at a specific level of competency amongst all students worldwide studying the French language.
More importantly, the DELF examinations are used as a reference in French assessment by most universities in Canada and across the world and a growing number of institutions and organizations worldwide.
These examinations are based on the knowledge, expertise, interpersonal skills and learning skills that are part of the ability to communicate by way of language at linguistic, sociolinguistic and pragmatic levels. The four key skills are comprehension, expression, interaction and mediation.
The examination includes the four skills at every level, with varying degrees of interaction and mediation required depending on the level. The 6 levels (A1 to C2) can be regrouped into three broad levels: Basic User (A1, A2), Independent User (B1, B2) and Proficiency Users (Adults C1, C2).
Here at Shawnigan lake School, we offer A1, A2, B1, B2 preparation and examinations. After completing the examination, the students receive an official proficiency recognition certificate, recognized by the Council of Europe. From our experience, this qualification motivates young learners to increase their mastery in French language on a lifelong basis. -
AP French Language and Culture
The AP French Language and Culture class is designed for students who already have a solid level in French. They are able to express themselves orally in a spontaneous fashion and to interact with a French native speaker. Their written skills allow them to write essays, blog entries, e-mails or any creative written production. The students are able to read articles from current French magazines, newspapers and excerpts from classical French literature. They are required to make comparisons and synthesis with the information collected.
The course is articulated around 6 themes:- Families in different societies
- The influence of language and culture on society
- Influences of beauty and art
- How science and technology affect our lives
- Factors that impact the quality of life
- Environmental, political, and societal challenges
French experiential learning opportunities
Living the language is the most powerful and inspiring experience a student can encounter. At Shawnigan, several opportunities are made available to French language learners. Students have access to language trips and exchanges to both France and Quebec.
Students that take advantage of exchange opportunities usually do so in grades 10 or 11, for 6 to 8 weeks.
Students that take advantage of exchange opportunities usually do so in grades 10 or 11, for 6 to 8 weeks.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
