French Immersion is Not Just for “Good” Students

Exclusivity and discrimination in additional language programs

We had to pull our son out of his French immersion school in our small, rural community after grade two.

Not because he struggled with learning another language.

He was already fluent in both English and Sign Language (ASL) by kindergarten, and was having no issues with the academics or with learning French.

We had to switch schools to protect his mental health.

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It’s not your problem until it is your problem

I’d heard before that French immersion schools select for “good” students. Not overtly, but by process of leaving kids behind if they can’t keep up, and favouring students whose families already speak French.