Learn about French language programs in schools

French Second Language programs are for students whose 1st language is not French. It gives them the opportunity to become fluent in both English and French.

French Immersion

French Immersion is currently only available in Whitehorse. Students can enter the French Immersion program in:

• Kindergarten or Grade 1 (Early Immersion); or
• Grade 6 (Late Immersion).

The approach of French Immersion programs can vary from school to school. For example, the amount of English that is taught in the early grades of French Immersion may be different across schools.

How to register

To register your child, visit the Register your child for school webpage.

Watch videos about French Immersion in the Yukon

French Immersion - Yukon students' experiences

French Immersion - Yukon parents' perspectives

Early French Immersion

Early French Immersion starts in Kindergarten or Grade 1. It provides as immersive a French language environment as possible for students.

In Early French Immersion, there is little or no English in Kindergarten. English Language Arts as a subject is typically introduced in Grade 4 but may start earlier.

The following schools offer Early French Immersion:

• École Whitehorse Elementary School in downtown Whitehorse; and
• Selkirk Elementary School (Kindergarten to Grade 7) in Riverdale.

Compare Early Immersion programs

Student expectations and outcomes are the same in both schools with some differences.

École Whitehorse Elementary School

This is a single-track French Immersion school.

• French is the dominant language in the school, which means:
  • announcements are made in French;
  • teachers and other staff communicate with one another, and with students in French;
  • assemblies are conducted in French; and
  • Learning assistance teachers (LATs), educational assistants (EAs) and counsellors speak French.
• French is the sole language of instruction in the Kindergarten classroom.
• Physical education, music and information technology are also taught in French.
• At the start of Grade 1, students receive up to 90 minutes of English literacy instruction (word study, reading and writing). As they reach certain benchmarks:
  • the amount of English is reduced; and
  • reading instruction switches to French.
• At the start of Grades 2 and 3, students receive up to 60 minutes of English literacy instruction (word study, reading and writing). As they reach certain benchmarks:
  • the amount of English is reduced; and
  • reading instruction switches to French.

Selkirk Elementary School

This is a dual-track school offering both English and French Immersion programs.

• As much as possible, communication with French Immersion students is in French. However, both English and French are used in the school, which means:
  • most announcements are made in English;
  • many teachers and other staff communicate with one another and with students in English;
  • assemblies and concerts are conducted in English but include student presentations in both languages; and
  • Learning assistance teachers (LATs), educational assistants (EAs) and counsellors may speak English or French.
• French is the sole language of instruction in the French Immersion Kindergarten classroom.
• There is a French-language choir.
• Subjects such as physical education, music and information technology are taught in English (this could change in future years).
• Reading instruction in Grade 1 French Immersion is in French.

Late French Immersion

Late French Immersion starts in Grade 6. It aims to provide as immersive an environment as possible for students.

• No formal English is taught in Grade 6.
• English Language Arts are reintroduced in Grade 7.
• Students can move on to the secondary school French Immersion program in Grade 8 (with those who started the program in Kindergarten or Grade 1).

School offering Late French Immersion:

• École Whitehorse Elementary School in downtown Whitehorse.

Secondary school French Immersion

The French Second Language program continues for Grades 8 to 12.

Schools offering secondary school French Immersion:

• F.H. Collins Secondary School in Riverdale; and
• Wood Street Centre, in downtown Whitehorse.

French Immersion curriculum

For more information about French Immersion curriculum, visit British Columbia’s Français langue seconde – immersion curriculum.

Want to know more?

Contact the French Language Programs Branch by email [email protected] or phone 867-667-8237.

Core French

Core French provides students with basic French conversation skills.

Students receive up to 120 minutes of French instruction weekly for:

• short periods every day; or
• for longer periods a few times a week.

In schools where Core French is the only second language offered, Core French is mandatory for Grades 5 to 8.

Some schools choose to offer Core French as early as Grade 4.

Core French is offered as an elective course in Grades 9 to 12. Grade 10, 11 and 12 Core French courses are credited toward the Yukon Graduation Certificate.

French Second Language programming is currently not available in:

• Beaver Creek;
• Carcross;
• Carmacks;
• Destruction Bay;
• Grey Mountain Elementary;
• Kluane Lake;
• Old Crow;
• Pelly Crossing;
• Ross River; and
• Teslin.

Core French curriculum

For more information about Core French, visit the British Columbia Core French curriculum page or email [email protected] or phone the French Language Programs Branch at 867-667-8237.

Option Plus French

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School offers Option Plus French - Social Studies 10 in French - when enough students are interested.

How to register

To register your child, visit the Register your child for school webpage.

Want to know more?

Contact the French Language Programs Branch by email [email protected] or phone 867-667-8237. 

The Intensive French program leads to effective and meaningful communication in French.

• Intensive French:
  • may be mandatory or optional, depending on the school; and
  • it begins in Grade 5 or 6.
• Students receive 80% of instruction in French for half of the year and 20% for the other half.
• Mathematics is taught in English all year.
• Post-Intensive French continues through Grade 12 as an optional program.

Intensive French is currently offered in the following schools:

• Christ the King Elementary;
• Holy Family Elementary;
• Selkirk Elementary School; 
• Robert Service School; and
• St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary.

Watch videos about the Intensive French program in the Yukon

Intensive French testimonials

Intensive French Q&A

How to register

To register your child, visit the Register your child for school webpage.

Being bilingual in the Yukon

Here are some reasons why your child should learn to speak French:

• French is an official language of Canada.
• French is spoken across Canada and in over 100 countries and territories worldwide.
• Speaking French gives your child a competitive edge in the job market:
  • anywhere in Canada;
  • in many other countries; and
  • many jobs require applicants to be bilingual.
• Speaking French can lead to participation in Yukon’s vibrant French community.
• Taking French can lead to post-secondary studies in French, and an additional Government of Yukon grant to support those studies.
• Speaking French can lead to participation in summer bursary programs such as Destination CLIC and Explore.
• Speaking another language increases your child’s understanding of and respect for other people and other cultures.