In the heart of Canada’s prairie province lies a
unique institution dedicated to promoting a bilingual lifestyle among its students.
Welcome to the Calgary French & International School, where students are more likely to greet their
teachers with a perfectly accented “bonjour” than “good morning.”
The Calgary French &
International School (CFIS) was founded in 1969 after the passing of the Official Languages Act. Today, the
idea has materialized into an institution of 650 students and more than 100 staff members.
“Maximum immersion is what distinguishes CFIS from other schools,” says headmaster Richard Slevinsky. “From
kindergarten to Grade 2, classes are 100% French. Grade 3 is 25% English, and Grades 4 through 9 are 25%
English, 5% Spanish and 70% French.”
According to Slevinsky, Alberta bilingualism standards require only a 25% French course load, planting CFIS
firmly at the head of language-based education in Calgary.
It’s what the school refers to as “added-value,” explains Slevinsky. “A student in Alberta in an English
school will learn about flight in Grade 6. Our
students get the same program of study.
The only difference is that they learn it in French. At the end of the day, the ‘freebie’ is that they learn
to speak the content in two, sometimes three languages.”
This emphasis on language is instilled in the CFIS students from a very young age. By the third grade, the
majority of students are fluently conversational.
“The French program is unparalleled, unless you go to a francophone school, because that’s pretty much what
it is!” says 11th grader Michael Bridge, 16. “The announcements over the intercom are in French,
the assemblies are in French — everything, which is really wonderful. Everybody who comes out of there is
fluently bilingual.”
In addition to in-school language training, CFIS extends its reach by sending students on educational trips
to French-Canadian cities, such as Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City. In later years, students travel to
Costa Rica and Cuba to practice Spanish.
“They lived in the community while they were there,” says Slevinsky, “and the comments we get are that the
students are very fluent in Spanish.”
In addition, an accelerated advanced placement program is offered to senior students to give them the
opportunity to take university programs while still in high school. Students are currently enjoying
leading results as measured by Alberta Education testing.
This success is owed in part to specialized instruction. By the time students reach Grade 7, all of their
teachers are trained specialists in their fields, bringing with them a variety of experiences — and
accents.
“Our staff is so cosmopolitan,” Slevinsky confirms, “and the students are exposed to all of them. We have
staff from France, from Quebec, from Ontario, from Switzerland. It’s important for the graduates because it
means that they can go study in Paris and would do fine.” •
Photo courtesy
of Calgary French & International School
