All classroom discussions, presentations of objectives, homework, tests and follow-up activities are in French. The classroom teachers speak only in French at all grade levels. During the kindergarten year and up to December of the first grade year, students may respond to the teacher in English as well as in French. After December 1st of the first grade year, children are encouraged to use French exclusively. Most children in immersion programs not only learn the second language, but they achieve skills appropriate to their grade level.
Children learn a second language very much as they learn the first.
Second language learning should be started early in the child's educational program. To be meaningful, it should involve using the target language in normal, everyday experiences as well as in curriculum content activities. Research indicates that, in immersion programs, the amount of time spent using the target language is directly related to the student's proficiency. Children must see that they can use the target language to convey feelings, thoughts, ideas and needs. Admission to all grade levels of the French Immersion Magnet Program is based on expressed interest, on space available and is in accordance with MCPS transfer policy.