Factors Putting Late French Immersion Students “At Risk” and What We Can Do As Teachers

In Canada, French immersion programs continue to be very popular. Enrollment rates are rising nation-wide and society is becoming more aware of the richness of culture and the opportunities that these programs provide for children. For example, French immersion enrollment in York Region north of Toronto has more than doubled over the last decade (Friesen, 2013). Contrary to the enrollment rates, attrition rates have not changed, especially in late French immersion programs (Gunn, 2011). The purpose of my study is to explore how two teachers identify “at-risk” students and implement effective teaching practices to engage these students in the hope of reducing attrition rates. Using qualitative research methods, I conducted semi-structured interviews to learn about the experiences of two teachers who have successfully motivated “at-risk” French immersion students to remain in the program and succeed