Bilingualism can be a significant benefit to a person, giving them additional tools they can use in a future career.

Western School Division (WSD) has one of the most advanced French Immersion programs in the region, recently holding an information night for parents to learn about the benefits and opportunities the program provides.

WSD has been offering French Immersion close to 30 years, and it isn't just a translation of the courses into French, but a chance to fully immerse students into the French language, says French Language Coordinator and Coach for WSD Gisèle Rondeau.

"There are no translations happening, you teach in French, and you make them live in French. That's what immersion is all about; you immerse them in the language, you expect them to learn that way and because it's expected of them, they can, and they do."

Rondeau says French Immersion isn't just studying in the classroom; the school brings in cultural guests, trips to museums for the French tours, visit events like Festival du Voyageur, and even opportunities to take part in exchange programs to Quebec.

WSD Superintendent Steven Ross adds French Immersion is an adventure for the entire family.

"From when their kids come into kindergarten to when their kids will soon be able to graduate from WSD with a French Diploma, the whole family gets involved in different ways. It requires a different type of buy-in that's familial, and we see a lot of our French Immersion families are close."

Rondeau adds it's not a requirement for a parent to be able to speak French, as the program is designed for families that don't speak French as a first language.

The program has grown much over its 30 years, doubling in size in the past ten years, with close to 300 students.

Students are showing the success of the program with students like Morden Collegiate's Mollie Wheeler, who received the Founder's Cup for top debater at the 2018 National Student Debate Seminar in Quebec City. Wheeler also earned the Chief Justice Award for the Top Bilingual Debater.

Her success has also led to Morden Collegiate taking over hosting duties for the National Student Debate Seminar in September 2019.