Should you pull your child out of the French Immersion program?

I get this question a lot. When your child encounters academic challenges, it may be tempting to consider withdrawing them from the French Immersion and transferring them to the English program. While it may seem logical that learning in their native language would ease their struggles, research suggests otherwise.

The transfer could impact their self-esteem, leading to feelings of inadequacy and failure.

Grades will not improve

Studies show that when transferring to the English program, students encounter the same learning challenges, and it's unlikely that their academic performance will improve. They may even need to invest extra effort initially to grasp the subject-specific vocabulary and at the end of the day. From my personal experience, I have never seen a student's grades improve when transferring to an English program. 

Their self-esteem might be impacted 

When a child is pulled out of the French immersion program, the ramifications could extend beyond their academic performance. It could impact their self-esteem, leading to feelings of inadequacy and failure. The social repercussions are also significant, as their peer group will likely change, potentially affecting their sense of belonging.

They might have less «teacher time»

You also might want to consider the fact that most English classes have a higher number of students with diverse learning challenges, and teachers and specialists have less time for one-on-one or small-group interventions. 

They will miss out on all the benefits of being bilingual

Switching your child to an English program may not only fail to improve their grades and affect their sense of self, but they would also miss out on the cognitive, social, and economic advantages of being bilingual. Read more about in this post: 

Be your child's advocate and insist on getting the support they need.

Before deciding to transfer your child from the French immersion program to the English program, consider the reasons for the potential transfer. Keep in mind that the transfer may not result in improved grades. Initiate a conversation with your child's teacher, seeking their guidance and recommendations. As a parent of a French Immersion student, remember that you are entitled to expect full support from the school. If necessary, don't hesitate to seek assistance from sources outside the school. You are not alone in this process.