Éco-Immersion
Combining French immersion, nature based learning with engaging teaching methods
An exciting new French immersion program will begin at James Thomson Elementary School in September.
French Éco-Immersion, for children entering kindergarten and grade one, will combine French immersion and nature based learning with engaging teaching methods.
Wendy Nouwens, President of Canadian Parents for French - Powell River chapter has been working with the School District and other parents to make this program a reality. She's excited about how the program has shaped up and the fact that her children will be able to participate in a French immersion program.
"Éco-Immersion is a unique nature-based French immersion program that strives to draw out a child's natural curiosity for learning by providing engaging teaching methods that nurture awareness of and respect for self, others and the environment," explained Nouwens. These diverse opportunities will support the development of bilingual, well-rounded, and successful children who are connected to their families, community and our natural world.
Éco-Immersion is a made in Powell River program that is the first of its kind in Canada. Claudine Veran, a teacher originally from France, who has been teaching Grade One French Immersion in Oregon for the past 10 years, has been hired to pioneer the program.
"School District 47 are leaders in creating innovative dual credit programs and they embraced this idea," said Nouwens.
Past attempts to bring French immersion to Powell River were unsuccessful because numbers weren't high enough.
While working on this program, a group of parents interested in creating a nature based elementary program in Lund, partnered with Nouwens and her group. "We had a common vision and passion for our children's education and we were also interested in the nature-based aspect and engaging teaching methods."
The board agreed to run a three-year pilot project that will continue to be a permanent program if the number of students is adequate.
Nouwens went on to explain how this program will differ from other French immersion programs.
Along with French immersion, Éco-Immersion offers hands-on fun nature based learning opportunities. In Powell River, Éco-Immersion's nature-based learning component is based on the perspective that "our community is our classroom," said Nouwens.
For example, math skills may be developed through plant surveys around Valentine Mountain and cultural learning may be taught through exposure to traditional First Nation Sliammon dance and art. A student in this program may collaborate with local farmers to create an organic garden plot.
Engaging teaching methods and popular and effective strategies for hands-on, student involved learning (such as Waldorf, Reggio Emilia and Montessori) will be integrated into the curriculum.
French immersion is an educational program for children and their families whose first language is not French. "They do not have to have any French in their background," she said noting that École Côte du Soleil has specific enrollment criteria and is geared towards children with French speaking parents.
"Anyone who has a child entering kindergarten or grade one can register for this program," said Nouwens. "Éco-immersion is for parents who want an extraordinary program for their child."
Early French immersion is generally regarded as one of the most effective ways for a child to become bilingual, as children are more receptive to language-learning at an early age.
Research shows that students who learn another language develop useful academic and cognitive skills which they transfer to learning English and other languages and subjects. The ability to communicate in another language provides students with a distinct advantage in a number of careers.
On a personal level, Nouwens is excited that her daughter Jaya, 4, and son Kai, 2 will be able to take advantage of French Éco-Immersion. "I just think this is an exceptional educational program. Even though we live close to Grief Point School, for me it is worth a bus ride to send my children to James Thomson to take advantage of this. In the end they will become bilingual and have more career opportunities."
There are already enough students registered to launch the program but there is still room for more, said Nouwens. Classes will be full-day in length and the program will be held in the heritage building at James Thomson.
This is a free, publicly-funded program offered by School District 47. Free busing will be provided by the school district and carpooling may be available through parent groups.
You can register your child for this program at the School Board office, 4351 Ontario Avenue. For more information call the School Board at 604 485-6271 or visit www.eco-immersion.ca.
