French Dual Language Immersion Programs

French Dual Language Immersion Programs

French dual language programs are rapidly expanding across the United States

A growing number of public schools in the United States offer bilingual language immersion programs. Designed for children of many backgrounds, these immersion programs offer students the opportunity to take classes in both English and French. Because subjects such as math, science or history are taught in French in these immersion programs, French becomes the medium of instruction rather than a foreign language.

Today, bilingual education is unquestionably the most original and effective solution to meet the challenge of opening the United States to the French language and the Francophone world.

The benefits of bilingual education are now recognized by all. Alongside greater open-mindedness and improved cognitive and intellectual agility, those who benefit from bilingual education are better positioned to access top-tier universities and gain entry into an increasingly globalized job market.
French dual language programs are developing rapidly within the American public educational system. The network of French dual language programs now serves over 30,000 students. Today, 30 states offer English-French dual language programs in over 182 schools.

For more information about French Dual Language and Immersion in the United States, visit: www.frenchdli.org

Albertine Foundation and Embassy financial support for French dual language programs.

Recognizing the momentum behind French bilingual education in the United States, the Albertine Foundation has recently launched an ambitious initiative: the French Dual Language Fund. This Fund supports French bilingual education across the United States, offering quality intellectual and multicultural education, as well as increased opportunities to succeed professionally in our globalized world. French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the French Dual Language Fund on September 20, 2017 at the Graduate Center of CUNY, catalysing a new generation of dual language education.

Specifically, this Fund is separated into three main initiatives which schools and schools district can apply through an annual call for applications: a pedagogical project grant; a program to support French teaching interns in schools; and professional learning opportunities such as the French for All Summer Institute for teachers and the Dual Language Leadership Seminar for administrators and leaders in the field of education.

The 2025 call for applications is open until March 2, 2025 and can be found here. 

Label FrancEducation

Awarded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its Agency for French Education Abroad, the Label FrancEducation is an official international accreditation granted to schools offering a French bilingual program.
To date, 98 American schools have been recognized making the United States the second largest network of LabelFrancEducation schools globally.

Eligibility

To apply for accreditation, schools must meet a set of rigorous criteria: A minimum of 20% of subjects must be taught in French; teachers must be highly qualified, certified, and fluent in French; the school must have a strong professional development plan and a commitment to quality education; it must participate in official language tests; and it must provide an environment that inspires an interest in French culture.

For more information about LabelFrancEducation, please visit labelfranceducation.fr

If your school in the U.S. is interesting in applying for the LabelFrancEducation, please contact the French Dual Language Fund program manager, Mickael Raggi at mickael.raggi@frenchculture.org

Resources

For more information about French Dual Language and Immersion in the United States, visit: www.frenchdli.org

French Getaways Program

Through fun and social interactions with French speakers, this program opens up opportunities for students in French Dual Language and/or Immersion programs to practice their language skills outside of the school curriculum. The Cultural Services of the French Embassy invites Francophone authors, illustrators and other professionals to tour dual language and immersion schools throughout the United States and facilitate dynamic workshops during which students use French freely and naturally. The French Getaways program engages parents and local communities on a wider scale in the effort to bring the target language to life.

In the past, French Getaways workshops have included:

Two tours are organized each year, one in the spring and another in the fall terms.

  • Are you a French-speaking author, artist, or have a particular set of skills you would like to share through the French Getaways program? To facilitate workshops throughout the United States, please contact: mickael.raggi@frenchculture.org
  • Are you a dual language/immersion teacher or principal? To host a French Getaways program at your school, please get in touch with your local Consulate (see list below)