Parent-Teacher Conference Questions for French Immersion Reading: Expert Guide

Parent-teacher conferences are the perfect time to learn how your child is progressing in French immersion reading.

Parent-teacher conferences are one of the best opportunities to understand your child’s learning in French immersion. Reading in a second language develops differently than in English, so knowing what to ask will give you a clear picture of progress, strengths, and areas that may need extra support. This guide is designed for parents who want to focus on overall academic growth as well as French reading skills.

Download your checklist here

1. General progress or stagnation at school

Start by asking whether your child is showing steady growth across all subjects or experiencing challenges in specific areas. In French immersion, signs of progress may include recognizing new sounds, reading familiar words independently, expressing ideas in French, or following instructions accurately.

Follow-up: “Can you share examples of recent growth or challenges you have observed?”

2. How does my child compare to their peers and grade-level expectations?

Understanding grade-level expectations helps you see how your child’s skills align with peers.

Every child learns at their own pace, and we don’t want to focus on comparisons alone. Understanding your child’s progress relative to grade-level standards can help you see where they are excelling and where they may need support. This perspective provides useful context for setting goals and celebrating milestones in their French learning journey.

Follow-up: “Are there specific targets or milestones we should focus on this term?”

3. Oral communication in French

Oral comprehension and expression are the foundation for confident reading in French immersion.

Oral language is the foundation of reading success in French immersion. Ask about your child’s ability to understand instructions, participate in discussions, and express thoughts clearly. Vocabulary development and oral comprehension are key predictors of later reading fluency and comprehension.

Follow-up: “What activities or routines could we do at home to strengthen oral comprehension and expression?”

Tip: At home, encourage your child to describe a story, retell events, or explain activities in French. Focus on comprehension and expression, not perfect grammar.

4. Reading-specific questions

Focus on decoding, blending sounds, fluency, and comprehension. Ask whether your child can recognize new words, blend syllables, read short passages accurately, and understand what they read. You can also ask if they enjoy reading independently or picking up books on their own, as engagement and motivation are key indicators of confidence and progress in French reading.

Follow-up: “Which reading skills should we reinforce at home or in targeted practice?”

5. Does my child need extra support at school?

Some students benefit from small-group instruction, reading interventions, or extra support from specialists. Ask whether your child is currently receiving support and whether it meets their needs. Schools vary. Some have structured programs, while others do not. It is helpful to know details such as the number of students per group, the frequency of sessions, and the type of instruction provided.

Follow-up: If your child is not receiving support and you believe they should, ask whether it can be organized, whether there is a priority list, and what steps are needed to access the program.

6. How can I help at home?

Short, consistent routines at home can have a big impact. Ask for concrete strategies, such as reviewing sounds, reading aloud together, listening to short French stories, or playing simple vocabulary games. Five to ten minutes daily can strengthen skills without overwhelming your child.

Follow-up: “What daily routines or activities are most effective for building confidence and reading skills?”

7. Would outside help be beneficial?

Targeted support outside school can help reinforce foundational skills and prevent gaps from widening.

Even with school support, some children need extra guidance. A reading specialist can provide personalized instruction to reinforce decoding, fluency, and comprehension, while helping your child gain confidence and enjoyment in reading.

Follow-up: “Would targeted support outside school help my child, and which skills should it focus on?”

Tips for Parents During the Conference

• Take notes and ask for concrete examples of your child’s work.

• Request clear, actionable next steps.

• Focus on oral and reading skills, as oral comprehension and vocabulary are the foundation of reading success.

• Celebrate small wins, such as recognizing a new sound, reading a familiar word, or expressing an idea in French.

• Keep home routines short, consistent, and positive.

• Look at performance across subjects to understand whether challenges are specific to French or part of broader learning differences.

Final Thoughts

French immersion reading develops in layers. Oral comprehension and vocabulary form the foundation for decoding, reading fluency, and comprehension. Asking these seven questions ensures your child receives the support they need to progress confidently and stay motivated. Understanding how they perform in other subjects provides additional context and helps you decide whether extra support is needed.

To make it even easier to prepare for your conference, we’ve created a one-page checklist PDF summarizing the seven essential questions to ask. It includes space for notes and tips on supporting your child at home.

Why download it:

Download your checklist here

If you would like expert guidance, our reading specialists at MpM French Reading Academy can review your child’s level and create a personalized plan for steady progress.

Book a free reading assessment today to help your child succeed in French immersion with confidence.

Click her to book your free assessment

Our reading specialists provide personalized guidance to help your child succeed confidently in French immersion.

MpM French Academy

Back to School with Confidence: Supporting French Immersion Readers This Fall

Why early reading support matters more than ever

As the school year begins, many families in French immersion programs are focused on new routines, fresh supplies, and setting their children up for success. For parents of young readers, though, there is often an added layer of concern: Is my child truly ready to keep up with reading in French this year?

At MpM French Reading Academy, we support students across Canada and the United States who are learning to read in a second language. Each fall, we work closely with families who want more than just help with homework. They are looking for consistent, research-based support that builds reading skills and confidence in French.

Empowering young minds through personalized support beyond homework.

Why the Beginning of the Year Matters

September sets the tone for the entire school year. In French immersion classrooms, students are expected to engage with a rich vocabulary, decode unfamiliar words, and develop reading comprehension, often before they have fully mastered the basics of reading in English.

If a child begins the year unsure of their reading skills, it can lead to frustration, avoidance, or confusion. On the other hand, students who receive regular support in those first few months tend to feel more confident, more engaged, and better equipped to handle new challenges as they arise.

The Reality of French Immersion Classrooms

French immersion teachers do incredible work, but they have limited time for one-on-one instruction. When a student starts to fall behind in reading, there is often little opportunity during the school day to revisit key concepts or adapt lessons to individual learning needs.

This is where targeted support makes a meaningful difference. A trained reading specialist who understands how French is taught in immersion can help bridge the gap between classroom instruction and your child’s individual needs.

Support Is Not Just for Struggling Students

Many families assume that our clinics are only necessary if their child is falling behind. In fact, some of our most successful students are those who are keeping up at school but benefit from structured practice, clear instruction, and a consistent reading routine.

Reading in a second language takes time. A weekly session with a French reading specialist helps students stay confident, build fluency, and strengthen comprehension without relying on guesswork.

Some of our strongest readers are those who stay on track at school with the help of consistent routines, clear instruction, and focused reading practice.

Help Your Child Start Strong

If you are wondering whether your child would benefit from extra support this fall, we invite you to connect with our team. We are happy to recommend the best format, frequency, and approach based on your child’s needs and school experience.

Let’s work together to make this school year a confident and successful one in French.

Shhh… Here’s What Savvy French Immersion Parents Are Doing to Guarantee a Strong Finish This Year (That Most People Ignore!)

With summer on the horizon, many parents may think it's time to wind down and ease into the break.

However, savvy French immersion parents (and teachers!) know that the final stretch—April, May, and June—offers a golden opportunity to strengthen reading skills, address learning gaps, and set their child up for a successful year ahead.

So, what's their secret? They focus on three key strategies that make all the difference before the summer break begins.

Savvy French immersion parents and teachers know that the final months of the school year are crucial for boosting reading skills and preparing for the next grade.

1. Daily Reading (The Right Way—Short & Focused!)

How and what your child reads is just as important as reading daily.

🔹 Keep it short: 15-20 minutes of focused reading is far more effective than long, tiring sessions.

🔹 Make it active: Ask questions, have your child predict words, and encourage them to decode tricky sounds instead of guessing.

🔹 Use the right level: Books that are too hard lead to frustration. Instead, choose books that allow your child to practice decoding while still feeling successful.

🔹 Incorporate their interests: Choose books that spark your child’s curiosity and enthusiasm. When children are excited about a story or a topic, reading becomes more enjoyable and engaging.

Why it works: Short, active, and engaging reading sessions keep your child motivated while reinforcing key skills, and reading about topics they love can make all the difference in their progress and enjoyment.

Short, active, and engaging reading sessions keep your child motivated while reinforcing key skills

2. Identify Your Child’s Reading Challenges & Tackle Them Now

Struggles with reading don’t disappear over time—they grow. The best time to address them? Right now, before summer learning loss kicks in.

✅ Listen closely: Is your child struggling with specific sounds, letter blends, or reading smoothly?

✅ Pinpoint patterns: If they constantly mix up certain letters (like ‘b’ and ‘d’), or struggle with vowels, focus on these areas.

✅ Make it hands-on: Flashcards, sound games and phonics-based activities can strengthen weak spots in just a few minutes daily.

Why it works: Instead of waiting for next year to catch up, your child builds confidence now and avoids falling behind. Studies on literacy development show that early intervention with phonological awareness and decoding skills significantly improves long-term reading success.

Addressing your child’s reading challenges now helps build confidence, prevent setbacks, and ensure lasting progress.

3. Get Expert Support Before Summer Learning Loss Kicks In

Feeling overwhelmed? Seek help now. Many parents wait until the next school year to seek help—but by then, their child has lost even more ground. French immersion parents in the know don’t wait—they take action now!

💡 Small group or one-on-one sessions offer personalized support that directly addresses your child’s unique needs.

💡 A customized reading plan keeps your child on track, helping them make faster progress and develop essential skills.

💡 Getting the right help now ensures your child is well-prepared and confident, ready to take on the challenges of the next grade level with ease.

Why it works: A strong finish means a confident start next year! Research in second-language acquisition highlights that maintaining consistent exposure to the language—especially through structured reading interventions—prevents regression and boosts fluency.

Get expert support now to prevent summer learning loss and ensure your child finishes the year strong, ready to confidently tackle the next grade.

The Takeaway: What You Do Now Matters!

Your child still has three full months of learning left—plenty of time to make meaningful progress before summer. By focusing on daily reading, targeted practice, and expert support, you can ensure they finish strong and start next year with confidence.

📌 Ready to help your child thrive in French immersion? Book a free reading assessment today and let our expert reading specialists help them finish the year strong!

👉 Book your free reading assessment now!