Grade 8 French Immersion: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 8 french immersion in the Ontario Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- In immersion, French is the language we learn in, so listening and speaking grow every day.
- Reading French texts of many kinds builds comprehension and the habit of reading for meaning.
- Writing in French for a purpose and an audience uses the conventions of the language.
- Understanding how French works helps us choose the right words, tenses and sentence structures.
- Learning in French connects us with Francophone communities in Canada and around the world.
Easy ways to practise french immersion at home
- Read French novels, comics or articles on topics your child enjoys.
- Ask your child to explain a grammar rule to you, with an example.
- Have your child write a short French note or message to a relative or pen pal.
- Use a French dictionary or conjugation tool together when revising a draft.
What each unit covers
Les registres de langue
Recognizing colloquial, standard and formal language, and choosing the right register for the audience.
Parler et se faire comprendre
Verbal communication (intonation, volume, speed, tone, pauses) and non-verbal communication (gestures and facial expressions).
La légende
Characteristics and structure of a legend (characters, fantasy elements, explanation of a phenomenon) using an original story, and oral tradition.
Le théâtre
Characters in a play (hero, supporting character, nemesis), dialogue, stage directions, and explicit versus implicit meaning, using an original scene.
Le schéma narratif
The stages of a story: setting, inciting incident, rising action, falling action and resolution.
Informer et argumenter
The structure of informational and argumentative texts, including point of view, argument and counter-argument.
Point-virgule et guillemets
Using the semicolon and quotation marks to join ideas, report speech and cite sources.
Qui, que, où
Building and recognizing relative clauses with qui, que and où.
L'accord du participe passé
Making past participles agree in the passé composé with être (with the subject) and with avoir (with a direct object placed before the verb).
Les compléments
Telling apart direct objects, indirect objects and circumstantial complements (place, time, manner).
Futur simple et conditionnel
Forming and using the simple future and the present conditional, including polite requests.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Level 1
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Level 2
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Level 3
- Has it! Level 3 is the provincial standard. Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Level 4
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Ontario report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 8 child with french immersion?
Read French novels, comics or articles on topics your child enjoys. Ask your child to explain a grammar rule to you, with an example. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 8 french immersion in Ontario?
The Ontario Curriculum Grade 8 french immersion units include les registres de langue, parler et se faire comprendre, la légende, le théâtre, le schéma narratif, informer et argumenter.
Free printable Grade 8 french immersion practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.