Enhancing Core French Education: A Project Proposal for LIFT Funds by St Mary Family of Schools Core French Teacher Group

Project proposal for LIFT funds by St Mary Family of Schools Core French teacher group was a great learning opportunity for the Core French teachers who were involved. (Ms. Zeenaeme, Ms. MacLellan, Ms. Groenewoud, Ms. Patrick, Ms. Pristritto on a regular basis, and Ms. Konan and Mr. Houmenou were able to sit in on a meeting as well; our French Consultants Michelle Courville and Carla Esposito supported our endeavors)

The initial goals of the teacher group project were to bridge “learning-gaps” in Core French students’ learning, learning recovery and renewal; to support diversity and equity education within the FSL lens when collaborating on new resources and best practices; to create fluid, smooth transitions from elementary French programs to the secondary level; to promote French and create appreciation as well as help students find purpose in their French studies. 

The group met up four times and worked collaboratively or independently between meetings. Teacher participants for this project worked on pinpointing areas of need, sharing best-practices, resources, how to help students transition to the high school level, co-constructing continuums, focusing on grades 4-9 in particular. Our DCDSB French Consultants shared CEFR/DELF type practices for our French language learners. Teachers collaborated while looking at new resources for French Language Learners. While meeting curriculum expectations, students participated in cross-panel activities by corresponding with high school students. St Isaac Jogues Catholic School and Father Fenelon Catholic School Grade 7 and Grade 8 Core French students were paired with St Mary Catholic Secondary School Grade 9 and Grade 10 students. They shared friendly correspondence using various forms of communication in French, bien sûr, to give insight, advice, and encouragement for their upcoming years in high school. 

Teachers were able to network and support each other and very likely will continue to be in contact in the coming years to continue to support the Core French program. Many ideas were shared, and next steps planned for the future.