Bienvenue/Welcome to the Department of Modern Languages!

Our FSL and Modern Languages Department offers a variety of courses, options and experiences to meet the needs and interests of our students. We provide programming in French for both the French Immersion, and Core French programmes. 

We are dedicated to providing experiences which enable our students to communicate and interact in French with confidence in an engaging and supportive environment. Students develop the skills necessary to become culturally literate global citizens.

Fundamental concepts addressed in our programs equip our students for an ever changing global society. Literacy skills, (including cultural and digital literacy), in addition to oral competence, flexible groupings and authentic learning, allow ample opportunities for students to interact and be involved “socially” with the language. Students also gain a better knowledge of themselves as learners and co-learners in their journey of language acquisition and competence.

Courses in English as a Second Language support English language learners to develop the literacy skills needed in order to continue their education and contribute to the social, economic and political life of Canada.

Requirements For ESL
Students' English proficiency, both oral and written, is formally assessed so that a suitable program may be selected. A mathematics assessment may also be needed to provide an indication of the students' educational background and learning potential. This assessment is conducted at the York Region District School Board Reception Centre. An interview at the school with the student and parents will be arranged to review the assessment information and to recommend a program of study. Finally, the students' progress will be monitored on an ongoing basis, even after he/she formally leaves ESL classes and/or until becoming integrated into the mainstream English program. 

Rubina Sharma B.A, B.Ed, M.A.

Chef du Département des Langues Vivantes

Department Head of Modern Languages/French Immersion/ESL

Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School

FSL AQ Instructor, YRDSB

FRENCH IMMERSION PRESENTATION FOR PARENTS: https://bit.ly/HNSSFIPRESENTATION​

Core French presentation for parents: https://bit.ly/HNSSCOREFRENCHPRESENTATION

Our Courses: 

FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM:

FIF1D Grade 9 French Immersion

This course provides opportunities for students to speak and interact in French independently in a variety of real-life and personally relevant contexts. Students will develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well their ability to communicate in French with confidence, by expanding the language learning strategies introduced in the elementary French Immersion program. Students will enhance their knowledge of the French language through the study of French Canadian literature. They will also increase their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning. 

Prerequisite: Minimum of 3800 hours of French instruction, or equivalent

*French Immersion students will also enroll in the following compulsory grade 9 course where the language of instruction will be French: Géographie Canadienne CGC1DF

**Grade 9 French Immersion students may also choose to enroll in the following grade 9 French Immersion Optional Courses: Introduction à L’Informatique, Les Arts Visuels, Introduction à l’étude de famille

***French Immersion students will take a MINIMUM of 10 courses over four years (combination of compulsory and optional courses grades 9-12) where the language of instruction is in French, in order to complete the requirements of the French Immersion Program. The Certificate of Bilingual Studies in French Immersion will be awarded to students who earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and complete ten French Immersion (10) credits

                 French Immersion Course Offerings (2023-2024)

*We recommend three FI courses in grade 9, three FI courses in grade 10 and at least two FI courses in grade 11 and grade 12.*

CORE FRENCH PROGRAM:

FSF1D Grade 9 French

This course provides opportunities for students to communicate and interact in French with increasing independence, with a focus on familiar topics related to their daily lives. Students will develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing by using language learning strategies introduced in the elementary Core French program, and will apply creative and critical thinking skills in various ways. They will also enhance their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning

Prerequisite: Grades 4-8 Core French or Equivalent

FSF1O Introduction to French (Open)

This is an introductory course for students who have little or no knowledge of French or who have not accumulated the minimum of 600 hours of elementary Core French instruction. Students will begin to understand and speak French in guided and structured interactive settings, and will develop fundamental communication skills through discussing situations and issues that are relevant to their daily lives. Throughout the course, students will develop their awareness of diverse French-speaking communities in Canada and acquire an understanding and appreciation of these communities. They will also develop a variety of skills necessary to become lifelong language learners. Prerequisite: LESS THAN 600 HOURS OF FRENCH INSTRUCTION in Grades 4-8      

FRENCH PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATE

All students who complete the Core French Programme from grades 9-12 will receive the FRENCH PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATE from the York Region District School Board at Graduation Ceremonies. This certificate is recognized by universities, colleges and employers as a certification of completion of the Core French program.   

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