School support for non-French-speaking students

Our school offers a specialized support program for non-French-speaking students, from preschool to CM2 (Grade 5). This program aims to facilitate school integration and the acquisition of French as the language of instruction, while enabling each child to continue their core learning.

Program Organization

The program is based on a progressive and differentiated approach, tailored to each student’s age and academic level. Students benefit from dual support: inclusion in a regular class corresponding to their age and intensive small-group language support with teachers trained in French as a Language of Schooling (FLSCO).

Inclusion in Regular Classes

Each student is enrolled in a regular class appropriate for their age. This inclusion fosters natural language immersion, social interaction with French-speaking peers, and gradual participation in collective activities. Regular class teachers adapt their teaching materials by using visual aids, simplifying oral and written instructions, and valuing skills acquired in other languages.

FLSCO Program

Students receive daily small-group sessions with a specialized FLSCO teacher. These sessions, organized by proficiency level, focus on intensive learning of spoken and written French, discovery of subject-specific school vocabulary, and understanding the codes and implicit rules of the French school system.

Progressive Learning

The focus is on language immersion through play, nursery rhymes, and children’s books. Children discover French through sensory and motor activities, develop oral comprehension before production, and gradually become familiar with the sounds of the French language.

Learning is structured around the simultaneous acquisition of oral and written skills, with a specific focus on phonology and decoding. Students develop basic vocabulary for daily communication and gradually explore subject-specific vocabulary (mathematics, science, etc.).

The program supports the transition to a deeper mastery of French, focusing on understanding increasingly complex texts, producing structured writing, and acquiring abstract vocabulary and logical connectors necessary for learning.

Personalized Assessment and Follow-Up

Each student undergoes an initial assessment to determine their linguistic and academic skills. A personalized plan is then developed, setting progressive and realistic goals. Regular evaluations allow for adjustments to the support provided and prepare for a gradual exit from the program.

Partnership with Families

Dialogue with families is essential for the program’s success. Regular meetings, with translation if needed, are organized to explain how the French school system works, value the child’s bilingualism, and involve parents in monitoring their child’s academic progress.

This program enables every non-French-speaking student to find their place in school, progress at their own pace, and build a successful academic path while respecting their linguistic and cultural identity.