French Immersion Program
The Glennie School’s French Immersion Program offers students a unique educational opportunity. Established over 26 years ago, it accepts students in Year 7 regardless of their prior experience with the French language, and immerses them in French for three consecutive years.
Participants of the program learn the same Australian Curriculum content and skills as their non-French Immersion peers; however, 50 per cent of their subjects occur in French.
The program is taught by highly skilled and qualified pluri-linguistic teachers who work closely with each student to build their confidence, language proficiency, skills and self-efficacy. Subjects included in the program are:
- Mathematics (Years 7 and 8 only)
- Humanities and Social Science (History, Geography, Business and Civics and Citizenship)
- French
- French Culture
- Religious and Values Education.
English, Science, Health and Physical Education, The Arts and Technology sit outside the program and are taught in English.
At the end of their final year, French Immersion students travel to France for a four-week cultural and educational tour. They attend school in the city of Orlean. A once in a lifetime opportunity!
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A Program of Excellence
The French Immersion Program of Excellence strategically positions students for academic success, during and beyond the program. Learning through immersion provides maximum exposure to the language as well as developing the building blocks for a successful career beyond school, including:
- Adaptability
- Thinking and problem solving skills
- Organisation, self-discipline and concentration
- Good work habits, perseverance and resilience
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Team work
- An increased understanding of how language works, including an improved understanding of the English language
Over time, students learn to embrace challenge and harness their intellectual strengths to achieve positive academic outcomes. Neuro-science studies consistently show the benefits of learning a foreign language on brain development. Increasing numbers of schools around Australia and the world now offer immersion or bilingual programs.
Planned Acceleration
French Immersion girls systematically build their communication skills. By the time they reach year 9, they are studying French at a Year 10 level. In Year 10 they commence Year 11 French and by the end of Year 11, they complete the Year 12 French program. In their final year of schooling, French Immersion students choose to either complete French Extension or opt for a study line to focus on their remaining QCE subjects.
The Glennie School has a proud history of French excellence. Past students have received perfect external examination scores in both French and French Extension. There are only two schools in Queensland currently offering French Extension. This program of excellence is unique to Glennie.
French Immersion subjects adhere to the Australian Curriculum so the transition into all other subject areas in Year 10 occurs without difficulty.
This programmed acceleration sets students up for success in their senior years. French Immersion highlights from our most recent graduating cohort include:
- Of the Year 12 cohort receiving an ATAR of 95 or above, 83 per cent of these were graduates who came through the French Immersion Program.
- 60 per cent of all students who studied French Immersion received an ATAR of 90 or above.
- The Proxime Accessit came through the French Immersion program.
- A French Immersion graduate received perfect external examination scores in Year 12 French and French Extension.
- Of the students receiving an A for French Extension in Queensland, 21 per cent of them came from Glennie.
“The Glennie School has a proud history of French excellence. Past students have received perfect external examination scores in both French and French Extension. This program of excellence is unique to Glennie.”
Opening a world of opportunities
Becoming fluent in a second language is only one benefit of the French Immersion program. We live in a world where international trade and technology are becoming more connected and interdependent. The job market is being influenced by an increasing need for international relations, and modern day language graduates are better equipped to forge global careers. The French Immersion program teaches its students through not just a French lens but also, from a cultural and global perspective. Over time, participants are given opportunities to engage in synchronous international Google Meets with pupils from the other side of the world.
The program physically connects our students to the other side of the world, culminating in an exciting four-week study tour to France. Students have the chance to explore landmarks, sites and monuments related to their Humanities and Social Science studies. They also spend two weeks with French families and attend classes at Glennie’s sister school, Saint Paul-Bourdon Blanc, in Orléans.
A Supportive Community
The French Immersion Program is supported by the Glennie French Immersion Supporters Group(GFISG). This group facilitates parent connection and conducts important fundraising to help subsidise the cost of the tour to France.
Glennie is a member of the Australian Association of French English Bilingual Schools. The association aims to promote French-English bilingual education in Australia and to share knowledge, experience and expertise in bilingual education with the support of the Embassy of France in Australia. Member schools educate bilingual, bicultural students whose academic excellence prepares them for entrance to the finest universities.
Achievement Reports
