IGBF-R: Bilingual Instruction

PROGRAM OUTLINES 

Second Language Instruction 

In second language programs, the target language is offered as a subject for a specified number of minutes per week.  A minimum of 80 minutes per week of instructional time is required at the elementary grades; 12.5% of instructional time at the secondary grades.  The goals of this program are to enable students to acquire skills in the language, develop positive attitudes towards the language and language learning, and to gain insight into the culture of the target language. 

An exemption to the Language Education policy (Grades 5-8) will apply only to a student who is both:

• enrolled in an educational program specified by the Minister, for students with special needs 

OR 

• receiving English as a second language services as defined by the 1701 form.

 AND 

• unable to demonstrate his or her learning in relation to the intended outcomes of the second   language program e.g. French 

Vancouver students capable of successfully challenging the intended learning outcomes of any language curriculum will be encouraged to do so at the Grade 11 and 12 levels as per the Ministry's Challenge and Equivalency Policy.

Second language instruction is mandated from Grades 5 to 8 under the provisions of the Provincial Language Education Policy and is an optional subject in the preceding and subsequent years. Offering a specific language program is the decision of the school and its community, following procedures established by the Board 

Teachers who teach a second language curriculum at the elementary level should have a basic competency in the language and the appropriate course work in second language methodology or be in the process of acquiring it.

Immersion and Bilingual Programs

In the immersion programs, the target language is taught not only as a subject but is also used as the language of instruction in other subjects. The aims of the program are to enable students to obtain the same education as in the English-language program and to acquire fluency in the target language.  Students completing French Immersion to grade 12 will receive a Bilingual Dogwood Certificate upon graduation. 

Early French Immersion: offered from Kindergarten through grade 12. French is the language of instruction in K-3. English Language Arts is introduced in grade 4 and Mathematics is usually taught in English at the intermediate level. Most other subjects are taught in French in grades 4 to 7 to ensure that 60% or more of the instruction is in French. 

In the secondary school the amount of French language instruction from grades 8 to 10 is 50%.  The amount of French is 25% in grade 11 and 12.5% in grade 12.       

Late French Immersion: begins in grade 6. All classroom instruction is in French in grade 6 and English Language Arts is reintroduced in grade 7.  

Early Mandarin Bilingual Program:  begins in Kindergarten.  From the beginning and through grade seven, 50% of instruction will be in Mandarin.  As students enter Secondary schools, the amount of instruction in Mandarin will decrease.  The goal of early Mandarin Bilingual is ultimately to have students graduate with a level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Late Mandarin Bilingual Program: begins in grade 4.  The amount of Mandarin language instruction is 50% from grades 4 to 7.  In Grade 8 and 9, students have two courses in Mandarin:  Mandarin Language Arts and Communication. In grade 10 students move to Grade 11 Core Mandarin  

ADMISSION PROCEDURES 

Second Language Programs 

Second Language instruction may be offered prior to grade 5 at the option of the individual school.  Second Language instruction is required from grade 5 to 8.  Second Language instruction is available at secondary schools through to graduation and is an elective for students beyond Grade 8.  Post-secondary institutions may have minimum second language requirements for entry. 

French Immersion 

Early Immersion:  The most common entry point is Kindergarten.  Students may enter in Grade One if space is available. Registration times for the following school year are announced in October.  Completed registration forms are submitted to the French Immersion elementary school in the applicant’s catchment area. 

At the end of the registration period, if there are not sufficient spaces to allow for the in-catchment students, a lottery will be held for entry at the school.  The in-catchment lottery will be supervised by the Principal, CPF, and/or PAC rep.  All applicants will be notified by Spring break. 

Procedures: Kindergarten - Grade 1 

• Completed registrations must be accompanied by verification of the student’s birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of catchment area residency.  Children who turn 5 years old by December 31 of the year of entry are eligible to enter Kindergarten. 
• Priority is given in the following order:  
  • Siblings of students in the French Immersion program at the school. Siblings must be registered by the March deadline or will be placed on the wait list. 
  • Catchment.  Priority is given to catchment area students over non catchment students (see website:  www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/boundaries.htm).  The March deadline still applies. 
  • Non-Catchment area child
  • Non-Vancouver residents 
• Two weeks following the registration deadline of the end of March, letters are sent out to families confirming placements in the program or on the wait list. 

Procedures:  New Admissions to Other Grades 

• Any child may be admitted to Early French Immersion in any year provided he/she is transferring from a French Immersion program elsewhere or can demonstrate grade level academic and linguistic competency in French, and provided space is available. 
• To continue in secondary French Immersion, parents of students enrolled in grade 7 must complete the appropriate registration form and return it to the student's elementary school.  The requirement for admission is successful completion of an elementary French Immersion program (or its equivalent if transferring from another province or country).  Secondary French Immersion schools have French Immersion catchment areas.  Cross-boundary registrations will be required for students outside their catchment.  Priority will be given as for B.1.1 Procedures:  Kindergarten - grade 1:      
  • catchment
  • sibling
  • non-catchment area
  • non-Vancouver residents
• For catchment areas for these three secondary immersion sites, please visit www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/boundaries.htm 

Procedures: Extended temporary absences 

• Parents planning an absence of one year's duration or less (i.e. sabbatical) who wish their child(ren) to re-enter French Immersion are requested to observe the following procedures:
  • Prior to departure, parents must indicate in writing to the principal their intention to return on a particular anticipated date.
  • Places at a particular school may not be "saved".  However, returning students will have the equivalent of a sibling's priority for return to the program.  This gives priority placement in a particular school only if a place is available.
  • Upon return, parents must contact the school to register.
  • Prior to being re-admitted to any French Immersion program, a student must demonstrate the requisite proficiency in French and English. This is done through an assessment at the receiving school.
  • Only in exceptional circumstances can a child, absent from French Immersion beyond one year, return to the program. 

Late French Immersion:  Students in grade 5 may apply for admission to Grade 6 immersion.  Registration forms must be submitted to the late French immersion catchment’s school by the end of March.  Registration procedures are the same as for the early French Immersion program. In addition, a copy of the most recent Grade 5 report cards must be attached. 

Early Mandarin Bilingual Program: Any child who has little or no prior knowledge of Mandarin, who is a resident of Vancouver, and who is entering kindergarten or Grade one is eligible for the Mandarin Bilingual Program.

Registration forms will be available on line and once completed can be dropped off at John Norquay Elementary or the District Office.

At the end of the registration period, if there are not sufficient spaces for all applicants, a lottery will be held to determine entrance to the program.

Late Mandarin Bilingual Program:  Any child who has little or no prior knowledge of Mandarin, who is a resident of Vancouver, and who is entering grade 4 is eligible for the Mandarin Bilingual program.

Registration forms are currently available only at Jamieson Elementary School and must be returned to that school by the end of March. It should be noted that Mandarin Bilingual Program is a District program; students from anywhere in the city may apply to attend even if they are outside of the catchment area.

DMT Responsibility: AS-DLS