Children of families on a French-language pathway outside Quebec can grow up with three languages: Vietnamese at home, French and English. This article introduces the bilingual schooling options.
French immersion
- A program within English-language schools where many subjects are taught in French, for students whose first language isn't French.
- According to Canadian Heritage, 477,102 students were in French immersion outside Quebec in 2023–2024, up 39.6% from 2010–2011.
- 2.6 million young Canadians study French or English as a second language.
Comparing the options
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| French-language (francophone) school | Children who already speak French, from families who qualify |
| French immersion | Children not yet fluent in French whose families want them bilingual |
| Regular English school with French as a subject | Children who need to focus on English first |
Why bilingualism helps
- According to Canadian Heritage, outside Quebec 85% of people with French as their mother tongue speak both official languages, compared with about 7.4% of those with English as their mother tongue. Bilingual people are therefore a scarcer skill.
- IRCC notes that in many parts of Canada, speaking both languages is an advantage when looking for work and taking part in the community.
Keeping Vietnamese alive
- Keep Vietnamese at home: talk, read and watch Vietnamese content together.
- Children learn several languages well when each has a clear setting (home, school, community).
- Look for weekend Vietnamese classes run by community groups, temples or churches.
Note French immersion isn't available at every school and usually has set entry points (for example kindergarten or grade 1). Ask your local school board about timing and how to register.
The public school system
French-language and English-language schools
Early childhood education and child care