News Archive
The French Connection
French Immersion at Shawnigan
This week marked the 50th anniversary of the Official Languages Act, which gave French and English equal status in the government of Canada. This milestone gives us reason to reflect on our own initiatives in bilingualism here at Shawnigan.
Three years ago, following many requests from students and parents, we expanded our French Immersion courses under the direction of Mrs. Receveaux. These exciting courses are available for students coming from a French Immersion program or with a proven level of fluency. We currently offer special French language classes for students in grades 8-12, as well as several humanities courses taught in French for students in grades 10-12. These graduates will earn a Double Dogwood Diploma, DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française), French 12, and AP French.
Students taking these French Immersion courses are in the capable hands of a select group of bilingual humanities teachers as well as some of our French teachers. This year we have close to 75 students in French Immersion, making ours the largest such group in British Columbia.
Our French connection is strengthened by a longstanding partnership with Lycée Sacré Coeur, our sister school in France. On October 11 of this year, we will welcome 30 students from the Lycée for a two-week stay, and over Spring Break we will send some of our students to them. In addition to these short, cultural visits, students from both schools have the option of a full term exchange, further strengthening not only these ties but bilingualism at the School. French is indeed alive and well at Shawnigan!
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Three years ago, following many requests from students and parents, we expanded our French Immersion courses under the direction of Mrs. Receveaux. These exciting courses are available for students coming from a French Immersion program or with a proven level of fluency. We currently offer special French language classes for students in grades 8-12, as well as several humanities courses taught in French for students in grades 10-12. These graduates will earn a Double Dogwood Diploma, DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française), French 12, and AP French.
Students taking these French Immersion courses are in the capable hands of a select group of bilingual humanities teachers as well as some of our French teachers. This year we have close to 75 students in French Immersion, making ours the largest such group in British Columbia.
Our French connection is strengthened by a longstanding partnership with Lycée Sacré Coeur, our sister school in France. On October 11 of this year, we will welcome 30 students from the Lycée for a two-week stay, and over Spring Break we will send some of our students to them. In addition to these short, cultural visits, students from both schools have the option of a full term exchange, further strengthening not only these ties but bilingualism at the School. French is indeed alive and well at Shawnigan!
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.
