At TDSS, we are pleased to offer French and Spanish language classes.
We also offer an ESL program for our English language learners.
Did you know?
Students have significant advantages when they speak more than one language!
Learning another language helps students:
- strengthen their problem-solving, reasoning, and creative thinking skills.
- develop their understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
- increase their competitiveness in an increasingly global job market!
(Taken from the Ontario Ministry of Education)>
Some more articles on the advantages of bilingualism:
Courses
French as a Second Language
In Canada, where French and English have equal status as official languages, there are significant advantages to being able to communicate in both languages. French is recognized and valued as an integral component of Ontario’s educational system. The ability to speak and understand French allows students to communicate with French speaking people in Canada and around the world, to understand and appreciate the history and evolution of their cultures, and to develop and benefit from a competitive advantage in the workforce.
In all French as a Second Language Programs, students realize the vision of the FSL curriculum as they strive to:
- use French to communicate and interact effectively in a variety of social settings;
- learn about Canada, its two official languages, and other cultures;
- appreciate the interconnectedness and interdependence of the global community;
- be responsible for their own learning, as they work independently and in groups;
- use effective language learning strategies;
- become lifelong language learners to grow and to actively participate as world citizens.
(Taken from the revised curriculum document (2014) for French as a Second Language)
French is a mandatory subject from Grades 4 to 9.
- Any FSL course will meet the secondary school diploma requirements for a mandatory credit in French as a second language
- Students are strongly encouraged to continue the study of French following Grade 9.
- A maximum of 2 credits in FSL can count as mandatory credits (one from Group 1 and one from either Group 2 or Group 3)
- Students who are coming to our school from a French Immersion program are asked to contact Guidance.
Opportunities
International Student Exchange (ISE) Program:
Tommy Douglas students have the opportunity to participate in a 3-month or 1-month exchange to another country. Go to the ISE website for more information.
5-Week French-Language Bursary Program - Most expenses are covered!
Are you looking for a spring or summer program to learn French? Do you want to discover another region of Canada and meet new people? Go Explore!
Explore is a 5-week intensive language-immersion summer course. Participants in Explore receive a bursary that covers tuition fees for the courses, instructional materials, meals and accommodations, workshops, and other mandatory activities.
Discover another region of Canada while learning French. Enjoy five weeks of learning and adventure, friendship and discovery! Visit My Explore for more information.
YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange Program
This is a program which offers youth, 16 and 17 years of age, the quintessential Canadian experience. Participants will have the opportunity to gain paid work experience, practice their 2nd official language skills, discover another community within Canada, and develop personally. The program runs for 6 weeks in the summer, beginning in early July and ending mid-August. Visit YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange Program for more information.
If interested, please see any member of the Modern Languages Department in Room 227 for more details!
Resources
Google Add-Ons
Easy Accent (Google Docs) - Easily add accents to your Google Docs
Read & Write - Reads out online resources with proper pronunciation
Easy Bib (Google Docs) - Easily create a bibliography for your Google Docs paper
Word Help
Word Reference - French/Spanish/English dictionary
TV5 Monde - French/English dictionary
Lingro - Website dictionary
Other Useful Resources
Bon Patron - check your French spelling and/or grammar
Tex's French Grammar - Review French grammar concepts
Text to Speech - Input French, Spanish, or English text and listen to its proper pronunciation
Adding accents easily! - Check out this video to see how you can add accents easily!
Duolingo - Practice your second language while playing a game!
Future Careers
Interested in knowing which careers are available to you if you study languages? The University of Toronto has created a list of careers available to language graduates.
The University of Ottawa has a great opportunity for students who would like to get a degree (in a variety of disciplines) with a French immersion designation. Visit their French Immersion Studies page for more details.
Are you interested in a bilingual or trilingual degree?
See what York University's Glendon College has to offer!