French

This cohort is designed for teacher candidates who wish to specialize in teaching French as a second language (French immersion or intensive French) or French as a first language (in a Francophone school) at the elementary level. Most courses are delivered and assignments are completed in French. This allows teacher candidates to continue to develop their proficiency while in the program.

Practicum placements are in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, or West Vancouver.

Elementary French specialists may teach French in elementary schools in the following ways:

• French immersion (early and late): Teach subject content in French  starting in Kindergarten or Grade 1 (early), or Grade 6 (late).
• Intensive French: Teach French in an intensive immersion-like semester in Grade 6 and daily instruction in Grade 7.
• Francophone schools: Teach subject content in French within the Conseil Scolaire Francophone.
• Dual track schools: Teach a combination of core French and French immersion.

For more information on these programs, please consult this link.

When enrolled in the Secondary French specialist option, most of the classes are taught in French; as well, practica occur in French immersion, in regular schools offering core French, or in Francophone schools.

Learning content in French allows teacher candidates to continue to develop their French proficiency during the year. Teacher candidates may combine French with another teaching subject concentration (e.g., Spanish or Biology).

Secondary French specialists may teach French in secondary schools in the following ways:

• French Immersion: Teach subject content in French.
• Core French: Teach French as a subject among general subjects in the regular English program.
• Francophone schools: Teach subject content in French within the Conseil Scolaire Francophone.

For more information on these programs, please consult this link.

Secondary Core French Requirements

To teach French as a subject among others in an English program (Grades 8 to 12), you need:

• Specific secondary academic courses and experience with children (13 to 17 years old)
• Successful completion of a French proficiency assessment

Secondary French Immersion Requirements

To teach in a French immersion context (Grades 8 to 12), you need:

• French immersion option is available for the following teachable subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, History, Geography, Social Science, Mathematics, and French language and literature.
• In all teachable subjects, students must complete a minimum of 6 credits of French or English Literature and Composition.
• Applicants wishing to teach French language and literature are required to satisfy academic requirements for French as a teachable subject.
• Specific secondary academic courses and experience with youth (13 to 17 years old).
• Successful completion of a French proficiency assessment.

The Core French Option for Non-Specialists  is an optional pathway available to Bachelor of Education students who are not enrolled in a French specialization (Core French/French Immersion as a teachable, or French cohort). This flexible option can be added to any Elementary & Middle Years cohort or any secondary teachable subject area. It can also be completed alongside other program options such as Dual Degree, IB, EDID, IDEA or IDJ.   

It is designed for teacher candidates with some prior knowledge of French who wish to strengthen their oral communication skills while developing foundational strategies for teaching Core French, but did not qualify for a French specialization.

This option does  not  replace the French specialization and does not lead to certification as a French specialist in British Columbia. Instead, it offers an introductory pathway into Core French teaching.

For more information on admission requirements to the French specializations, leading to a recognized BC French teacher certification, visit the links below:

• Elementary French Specialization
• Secondary French Specialization
• French Education website

The program is a collaboration between the Department of Language and Literacy Education (LLED) and the Teacher Education Office (TEO), delivered with support from the Government of Canada and the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care.