A New French Immersion Program has been launched at St. Marys Catholic School in Listowel

by Bob Montgomery

The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board's new Grade 1 French Immersion Program at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Listowel was officially launched this September.

The Program at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Listowel is the Board’s third elementary program to be developed with established French Immersion programming at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Goderich and at Jeanne Sauvé Catholic School in Stratford.

The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board possesses a rich history of French Immersion with programs currently offered in both counties. In Perth County French Immersion is offered at Jeanne Sauvé Catholic School in Stratford, and St. Michael Catholic Secondary School in Stratford. In Huron County, the French Immersion program is offered at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Goderich and St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School in Clinton. The Board's French Immersion programs focus on the development of students’ ability to communicate in French as well as a deep understanding and appreciation of French culture both in Canada and globally.

The French Immersion Programs include 120 minutes French Literacy Block daily, 30 minutes English Literacy Block daily, French language instruction in Science, Social Studies, Health, Drama, Dance, Physical Education and Visual Arts and English language instruction in Mathematics, Religion and Music.