Core French? Is it a subject or is it a program?  In fact, Core French is both.

Core French is taught as a subject throughout TDSB and the program runs from Grade 4-12. More than 90,000 students participate in Core French, making it the largest French Second Language program in Ontario, if not Canada! 

Students have 40 minutes of French per day starting in Grade 4 and accumulate at least 600 hours in French by the end of grade 8. There is one mandatory Core French credit in secondary, usually taken in Grade 9. Grade 10-12 Core French credits are available during the school year and in the summer via regular classrooms and e-learning. Core French students can boost their fluency outside the classroom by participating in exchanges and community activities in French.

Grade 12 Core French students are part of the randomly selected group of FSL students in Ontario that the Ministry of Education funds to do the DELF, an internationally recognized French proficiency exam. For continuing to study French at the university level, there are courses and degrees in French which include opportunities to do study abroad programs in France.  
Bonus: Grade 12 Core French students receive a special Certificate from the TDSB for successfully completing the program.

The Ministry of Education provides elementary and secondary curriculum for teachers to follow. The general approach to teaching and learning French is the same for Core, Extended and Immersion French. TDSB Core French teachers usually have a bachelor’s degree in education in addition to their first bachelor’s degree and have completed an additional qualification in French Second Language teaching (in elementary) and have a French teachable (in secondary). These standards are set by the Ontario College of Teachers.

Core French is discussed at the monthly French as Second Language Advisory Committee (FSLAC) meetings and Core French students, parents and teachers are welcome.

When my daughter had the opportunity to take a bus to a senior kindergarten French Immersion program we were living across the street from a great neighbourhood school. As much as I wanted her to learn French I loved being able to walk to school, and even after one short year we had both made a lot of strong connections with the students, teachers, staff, and parents.  I had studied French in school in the US, where language classes didn’t start until secondary school, so it was reassuring to know my daughter would have the opportunity to start learning French in grade 4 as part of the Core French program.

We have since moved to a new house that is a short walk to a school that has an early French Immersion program.  My son is in grade 1, his second year in French Immersion. It’s been interesting to see how both kids have progressed.  Of course my son is picking up French quickly, being exposed to it for the whole day. When we practice at home the kids work together and my daughter and I joke that we better work hard to keep up with him. 

My experience is a great example of what a personal choice language education is, and I feel incredibly fortunate that the TDSB provides such a wide range of options.  While I do sometimes wish my daughter had started her French learning earlier, for us, at the time, staying at the school across the street was the best choice. As FSLAC parent co-chair, I am working to make sure that all French programs at the TDSB are accessible, inclusive and excellent!

-Mandy Moore, FSLAC Parent Co-chair 

Toronto Public Library will be hosting lots of FREE events in French for children at branches across the city. There will be science and magic shows, theatre and musical performances. Details here. 

Outside of class, French language learners, young and old, will enjoy watching TFO on Rogers Channel 13/Bell Channel 145. Listen to CHOQ FM at 105.1/Rogers 95 and try keeping up with the Toronto traffic report or ‘avis de neige’ in French! 

The study concluded that there is a need for collaboration and leadership in FSL education, standardized FSL teacher qualifications across Canada, professional development and better working conditions for FSL teachers and promotion of careers in FSL education. The Commissioner’s recommendations include creating a long-term national strategy for recruitment and retention of FSL teachers and facilitating the immigration of French-speaking teachers to Canada.

Every spring, the TDSB does a budget for the next school year. During March, Trustees are hosting meetings across the city to share information about the process and get feedback on priorities. Until April 2, 2019, there is also an on-line survey for parents and community members. Details here. 

The Ministry of Education determines how much of our taxes are allocated to the Board for our expenses. Indications are that there will be less money for the next school year (2019-20) than we have now. The TDSB won’t know the exact amounts until the Ministry announces them in the coming weeks.

Some TDSB expenditures are fixed due to collective agreements, provincial regulations and Board motions; for example, lunchroom supervisors and transportation policies. Other expenditures are more flexible. Salaries and benefits are 82% of the budget. The Trustees set the priorities for spending guided by the Multi-Year Strategic Plan. Director Malloy and staff do a detailed draft budget based on those priorities and then it is presented to Trustees for a final decision by June 30, 2019. The budget must balance according to the Education Act.