By Greg Higgins

Francophone week inspires the benefits of French immersion schooling

Mar 9, 2017 | 1:58 PM

It is Francophone week in North Battleford and according to the city’s lone French immersion school, there are plenty of benefits to learning a second language at a young age. 

City council passed a proclamation making March 8 to 22 Francophone week in North Battleford. It is a time to celebrate francophones.

According to Theo Masich, the principal of École Monseigneur Blaise Morand, that celebration takes place every week.

“There are huge benefits,” Masich said. “There are cognitive benefits with learning a second language as it develops the brain further and it’s great for memory. There are benefits of different employment and education opportunities. Knowing two languages opens up travel and there is some recent research showing learning a second language can stave dementia later in life.”

Not only does the Monseigneur Blaise Morand school work with the francophone culture but, it also works with First Nations and also has a lot of filipino students.

Rustlers Volleyball

Crusaders' Bell excited for next chapter with Lakeland College

1h ago

Nothing but Net

Vikings' standouts ready for national stage with Team Saskatchewan

3h ago

Missing person

Spiritwood RCMP searching for missing woman

6h ago

“At a francophone school their mandate will be strictly francophone, whereas ours is much broader because we draw kids from all over different cultural groups,” Masich said.

The school is the only French immersion school between Saskatoon and Meadow Lake. Masich said the North Battleford school is also one of the only single-track immersion schools in the province. Single-track immersion schools are 100 per cent French immersion with only one class a day in English. Dual-track schools, like the one in Meadow Lake, feature both French immersion and regular English curriculums within the same school. Masich said with a single track, it is a lot easier for students to focus on learning French full-time.  

Greg.higgins@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @realgreghiggins.