Introduction
English and French are Canada’s official languages, opening the door to rich cultural connections and opportunities across the country. In Alberta, francophone families have, as members of an official language minority, the constitutional right to French first-language education. Whether families are part of the francophone community or want their children to learn French, Alberta offers a range of options – francophone education, French immersion, and French as a second language – to help students connect, grow and thrive.
Francophone education
Francophone education is for children whose parent is a rights holder under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
French immersion
French immersion is for students whose first language is not French and is designed to build strong French-language proficiency alongside a regular school program.
French as a second language
French as a second language courses are for students whose first language is not French and they help develop basic French-language skills.
Official Languages in Education Programs (OLEP)
Learn how the Government of Canada, through OLEP, contributes funding to early childhood to post-secondary French education in Alberta.