Exogamy is defined as a union between two people with different mother tongues and cultural backgrounds. In British Columbia approximately 75% of francophone families are exogamous and most of our students are fluent in two, and even three languages.
Consequently, exogamy as a family structure should not prevent children from developing both cultures of their family heritage. You and your spouse can create the conditions for your children to become fluently bilingual by actively promoting the use of French.
Children in exogamous families have the potential to become fluently bilingual and identify with both the francophone and anglophone cultures. Studies show positive outcome when parents encourage the use of French at home and register their children in a Francophone school.
Exogamous couples face some unique challenges brought about by the presence of two languages and cultures in their home. Consider just a few of the questions that need to be answered sooner or later:
Keep in mind that your children have a unique potential to gain two languages and cultures from the moment they are born. How you help them develop this potential is up to you. Growing up in an English-dominant environment urges Francophone families, including exogamous families to do all what they can to promote and support the development of French language, and Francophone education is the best solution to achieve it. Parents who choose a francophone daycare, preschool, or kindergarten are about to connect with a community that understands them better than any other. Such institutions exist to fill a need among francophone and exogamous families for services tailored to their situation.
In B.C. there are three types of French programs: Francophone, French Immersion, and Core French. These three types of programs serve different purposes and parents’ choice depends on their options, priorities, and goals for their children.
As its name implies, the francophone program is tailor-made for children with a Francophone background from at least one parent. Francophone schools allow their students to live, to learn and to develop the French language, and culture, and to be active participants in the francophone community. In other words, it exists not only to address students’ academic needs, but to help them explore and develop their francophone heritage.
Francophone education is intended for children who are eligible under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Francophone schooling takes place entirely in French from kindergarten to the end of high school. French language and francophone culture in the classroom are a natural extension of children’s family and community life.
Students also learn English Language Arts starting in Grade 4. Upon graduation, they can expect to be highly proficient in French and identify with and be part of the Francophone culture and community. They will also be highly proficient in English, and be able to pursue postsecondary studies and work in either official language across the country.
French Immersion is designed for children whose family heritage is other than French. The goal is then to learn French as a second language.
Francophone schools across Canada (outside Québec) are intended for Canadian citizens and landed immigrants who qualify under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Section 23 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms grants all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants residing in British Columbia the right to educate their children in a Francophone program if they meet one of the following conditions:
* Instruction must take place in French first language. French immersion does not confer section 23 rights.
Yes. According to the School District’s policy, transportation is provided free of charge whether you live in town or in the outlying areas. Catchment areas will determine if the service is offered.
You do not pay for your child to attend a francophone public school. In British Columbia, francophone public schools are funded through a provincial funding formula.
Yes! The francophone public school system is based on respect and equality. In our schools, your child will learn to live in harmony with nature and others, to become a valuable and compassionate citizen in her or his community, to think ethically, and to be tolerant and open-minded.
All of our schools have a code of conduct which clearly outlines the rights and responsibilities of all those involved in creating a safe learning environment. Furthermore, the Conseil scolaire francophone endorses the Ministry of Education’s policy and programs which condemns verbal and physical violence. Codes of conduct exist to ensure the security of all and to reflect the values that our school system promotes. The code of conduct ensures that your child’s rights will be respected and will allow her or him to take ownership for her or his own words and actions. As a result, students are encouraged to find solutions to problems using various tools such as conflict resolution, mediation and problem solving.