My eldest went to an immersion school (French) for 4 years (pre-K through grade 2). He speaks pretty fluently now and is continuing to learn through an after-school program designed for native speakers. His teacher always tells me that DS is doing well.
From what I've learned, a very important thing about an immersion program is how well the teachers know the language and whether or not the school follows a national educational program. All the French schools around here follow the program developed by the French Ministry of Education. All schoolchildren in France follow this curriculum. It's more demanding than the US curricula. Children begin to read books in first grade, and the stories are wonderful. They learn poems, learn about composers, etc. etc. The teachers are all certified in France (this is a more exacting process than it is in the US). They really know their stuff.
I recommend finding out how they teach at the school you're looking at. Do they use materials imported from France or Quebec? Or do they use French as a second language materials when they teach? How fluent are the graduates of the program? When do they start reading books in French? When do they start writing short essays in French? Are they taught French grammar through French or is English the language used to teach it (the approaches are different)?
Also importantly, are there after-school programs or tutors or whatever that can help you daughter retain her French after she leaves the school?
I met a woman who had worked as a teacher's aide at a Spanish immersion school, and she indicated that one of that school's big shortcomings was that the teachers didn't understand the grammar and structure of the language. She said that the kids didn't really develop a full understanding of the language because of this.
PM me if you want more information...sending DS to French school has been wonderful for him.
Val
