French Immersion
French Immersion Programming
Alberta Education recognizes that English and French are the official languages of Canada. As French is one of Canada's two official languages, learning French is considered important to enhance opportunities for living and working throughout Canada and the world, as well as to foster a greater understanding between French-speaking and English-speaking Canadians. Alberta Education encourages opportunities for all Alberta students to learn French by making available alternative French language programs such as French immersion and French as a second language courses.
Beginning in September 2020, École Queen Alexandra School opened its first French Immersion Kindergarten class. The program will grow each year by adding one grade per year to become a Kindergarten to Grade 6 program. Completing French Immersion Kindergarten is not a prerequisite for Grade 1 enrollment.
You and your child do not need to know any French prior to starting the program. The program was built to support French language learning for children, without their parents having any prior French skills. Teachers support children in their French learning journey from Kindergarten to grade 12!
In the 2025-26 school year, École Queen Alexandra will be offering French Immersion programming at the following grade levels: Kindergarten and Grades 1 to 5.
DELF
By the end of grade 6 FIM, students should be able to attain a DELF A2 level. By the end of grade 9, B1 DELF level and by grade 12 a B2 DELF level. The DELF exam is a French proficiency exam (Diplôme d'études en langue française). The A1 & A2 levels are beginner, B1 and B2 are proficient, and C1 and C2 are expert levels. To work with the federal government of Canada, employees are encouraged to obtain a French proficiency level at the B2 level. The division will pay for students to write their DELF B2 exams once the students are in grade 12. This can open many doors for future studies abroad as well as job opportunities!
A video about the French Immersion Program with Edmonton Public School Division:
Alberta Curriculum
The French Immersion Program follows the Alberta Program of Studies. Teaching of the knowledge, skills and attitudes is done within a French context.
High Academic Standards
In preparing our students for life as a bilingual citizen, it is imperative that they are given an opportunity to learn in an environment that provides for the highest of standards, not only in a cultural sense, but also from an academic perspective. There is a strong expectation that students are willing to work and seek to achieve academic excellence. Daily homework and study is an expectation.
Parent Resources for French Immersion
- CASLT (Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers):
- My Child's Learning - Alberta Government. This tool can help you discover what your child is learning, how they’re assessed and what resources are available to help them be successful from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
- Yes, You Can Help - Alberta Government. Information for parents of FIM students.
- French Immersion Kindergarten in Alberta : A Handbook for Parents - Alberta Government. It contains information about your child’s development (social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional), explains what you can expect to see in a FIM kindergarten class, what your child will learn and offers suggestions of how to prepare your child for the French Immersion program.
- Canadian Parents for French
- CPF Alberta Branch
- Alliance Française
- Parent Handbook - French Immersion Kindergarten in Alberta
Tools to Support Your Child
- Text to Speech - Allows you to type in a French expression and it will be read to you, using the correct pronunciation.
- DeepL - created by the University of Ottawa; will help you translate words into the different languages
- Visual Dictionary - French picture dictionary is broken into categories for help in finding specific vocabulary.
EPSB Together! - Is an App with simple ideas for engaging your child in fun activities that fit into your everyday life.