Speaking two languages has always been regarded as a fantastic way to challenge yourself, expand your horizons, and open yourself to a world of opportunities. But do you really know all the benefits of bilingualism?
Research indicates that bilingualism offers several advantages besides being a valuable life skill that may surprise you. For instance, encouraging bilingualism in children is one of the most effective ways to set them up for future success.
This is because bilingual employees open themselves up to better, broader opportunities due to their versatility and adaptability. Speaking two languages shows potential employers that these individuals are motivated, intelligent, and culturally aware. It also makes them more capable of taking on larger opportunities in an increasingly connected world.
While it’s never too late to start learning, many studies suggest learning another language only becomes more difficult as you age, so it’s best to start young.
Founded in 1995, the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF) - or School District 93 - provides free high-quality Kindergarten to Grade 12 public education in an entirely French-speaking environment to over 6,000 students in 47 schools across B.C.
Working primarily with families with at least one parent with a French-speaking background (however, the school does not have a French language level requirement for admission), the CSF isn’t a French Immersion program. Instead, it’s a Francophone school, and that distinction is critical.
French immersion teaches French as a second language, but CSF schools operate entirely en Français. As a result, the students don’t just learn to speak French. They will grow in a Francophone environment and learn about the world in French.
This curriculum includes educating students on the importance of global values, such as collaboration, diversity, and innovation, as part of the school’s inclusive learning environment, which welcomes students from around the world, including those new to Canada.
Additionally, the CSF offers cultural programs like Indigenous and Reconciliation education to give students a more nuanced understanding of the issues of today, while science projects, and partnerships with local Francophone organizations, showcase to students that bilingualism connects them with a larger global community, which could benefit them considerably later in life, whether it be through an International Baccalaureate (IB), opportunities to engage in French culture, or working abroad.
Ultimately, the school posits that when presented with a rich and diverse representation of the different studies that exist in French (including robotics, literature, and art) in both Canada and beyond, students will gain a greater understanding of the possibilities available to them once they graduate.
Simply put, enrolling your child in French education won’t just provide them with a competitive edge in the global job market. It will foster a greater understanding of what they’re capable of achieving within it.
And the theory checks out; the world economy, and as a result, the job market is more global and multicultural than ever before. A multicultural world requires more than just multilingual professionals. It depends on multilingual citizens to both open doors to new opportunities and to step through them.
With over 600 teachers, 47 schools, and 7 locations in Greater Vancouver alone, the CSF offers innovative educational programs and services that promote the province's Francophone learners' full educational and cultural development.
Whether you live in south-eastern British Columbia, on the south coast or in the north, in the Fraser Valley, the Greater Vancouver region, or on Vancouver Island, the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique welcomes families from all over the world to participate in their free Francophone education.
Register now at frenchlanguageschoolsbritishcolumbia.ca!
Inscrivez votre enfant dès maintenant !
