French Immersion Core French
Learning another language develops logical thinking skills and clarity of expression. In
the process, learners strengthen
their first-language skills and enhance their critical and creative thinking
abilities. It also introduces students to a
whole new way of seeing the world through the study of another culture,
resulting in a growth of tolerance and understanding of others.
French is not only one of
Canada’s two official languages, but is also widely used around the world. In Canada employment opportunities and promotions are
enhanced by a knowledge of both English and French. With developing world trade
patterns, knowledge of languages opens up many employment and
business opportunities as well.
The Modern Languages
Department at Thornlea offers courses in French, for core and immersion. The essential aim
of our program is to develop communication skills in both the receptive and
expressive aspects of the language. Students will develop the four language
skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through the interaction of
speaker, listener, reader and writer.
Linguistic and thematic
structures are covered in an eclectic manner through the communicative
approach, which allows the students to develop communicative competence. Teachers
encourage students to be accurate within the limits of their command of the
language, and pay attention to the form as well as the message.
In
addition, the interdisciplinary nature of language allows students to explore
such related areas of study as history, geography, music, art, literature,
business, and world issues.
Teachers:
- Neda Pilaram (Head of International Languages Department + FI/Core)
- Grace Fu (FI/Core)
- Nathalie Bendavid (Phys-Ed)
- Helen Hannah (FI/Core: 2020-2021- on leave)
- Valerie Awad (Business/Careers-Civics/FI/Core)
- Diana DeLuca (Geo/History: 2020-2021- on leave)
- Ilana Bern (Visual Arts/ACAM FI)
- Stella Volfovsky (History FI/Core) stella.volfovsky@yrdsb.ca