French Language Programs

The Department of Education supports many different kinds of French language education in our public schools.

French First Language

Under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the goal of the French First Language program is to provide education to Francophone students who choose to be educated in their first language. 

All subjects from Kindergarten to Grade 12 are taught in French with the exception of English that is taught starting in Grade 4.  École Émilie-Tremblay is the Yukon’s only French First Language school.

French Immersion

The French Immersion Program is for those students whose mother tongue is other than French. The goal of this program is to develop excellent linguistic competencies in French.

French Immersion students attend Whitehorse Elementary School for Kindergarten through Grade 7 and FH Collins Secondary School for Grades 8 through 12.

In 2004/05, the Department of Education introduced Late French Immersion for students entering Grade 6 at Whitehorse Elementary who have previously been schooled in English. In 2005/06, Late French Immersion will be available to Grade 7 students. Students in the new Late French Immersion program will remain in the program until Grade 9, when they will integrate with the regular French Immersion stream at FH Collins Secondary School.

French Second Language

The goal of the French Second Language program is to provide students the opportunity to attain a level of comprehension of the language which will allow them to read, write and converse in French in simple terms.  French as a second language is offered in most Yukon schools from primary through senior secondary classrooms.

Intensive Core French

In September 2005, the Department of Education introduced an Intensive Core French program for Grade 5 students at Holy Family Elementary School. Intensive Core French is different from French Immersion or Late French Immersion in that roughly half of the student’s learning is done in French and the other half is done in English.

Extensive French Courses

Vanier Catholic Secondary School will continue to offer Social Studies Extensive French. This course allows students to study Social Studies in French, with the rest of their coursework taking place in English.

Partnerships – French Programs develops and manages the above French language programs in Yukon schools. This unit of the Department of Education develops French language curriculum materials and support services for schools. They can be reached at:
Tel: (867) 667-8610
Fax: (867) 393-6339