French Immersion

SGCHS offers French Immersion in two areas as a continuation of preceding French Immersion programs offered through Parkland School Division. Students who have successfully completed Grade 9 French Immersion are eligible to take French Language Arts 10, 20, 30 and Études Sociales 10, 20, 30. These courses, instructed entirely in French, are identical to their English equivalents as defined by Alberta Education.

It is to be noted that each of these courses is given once during each academic year. Normally students enrolled in French immersion take French Language Arts 10, 20, 30 and Études Sociales during one academic year.

Curriculum in French Immersion assumes a relatively high level of spoken fluency in French and seeks to increase written fluency with a strong grammar component in all courses offered. Students are encouraged to improve their language skills through exchanges with other French Immersion students, the Alberta French-speaking community and through contact with Francophone students. 

Scholarships and Bursaries

Scholarships from the Campus Saint-Jean (University of Alberta), Simon Fraser University and other French universities are available to all students entering post-secondary education from French Immersion programs. Students can obtain specific selection criteria and application information from the French Immersion Department or from the Campus Saint-Jean. 

In addition, students graduating in French Immersion will receive recognition of their achievement in the form of a graduation certificate in French Immersion from Parkland School Division and SGCHS.

For further details on these programs, please contact one of the French Immersion teachers at SGCHS.

Alberta-Québec Exchange Program

Since 1998-99, students in French Immersion and other Modern Languages department courses have participated in a three-month exchange to Québec. The program is a reciprocal one in which students receive, in their homes, a student from Québec from September to December. Québec exchange students attend SGCHS with their Albertan counterparts. In February of the same school year, Albertan participants attend school at their host school in Québec until May.

Normally the exchange program does not affect students’ standings in their courses at SGCHS, as special arrangements can be made prior to departure. This exchange program is open to Grade 10 and 11 students. Teacher recommendation for application to the program is required.

For additional information, including costs and application procedures, interested students and parents should contact the French Immersion Department in November.

Summer Opportunities

Summer Language Immersion

Are you looking for a summer program to learn French? Do you want to discover another region of Canada and meet new people? Go Explore!

Explore is a five-week intensive language-immersion course. Participants in Explore receive a $2,200 bursary (taxable income) that covers tuition fees for the courses, instructional materials, meals and accommodations, workshops, and other mandatory activities.

Discover another region of Canada while learning French. Enjoy five weeks of learning and adventure, friendship and discovery!

More information can be obtained by contacting the French Immersion Department or on the Explore website!

Summer Work Student Exchange

Summer Work Student Exchange programs are available.