French Immersion
French Immersion Teachers: Monsieur Guibert, Madame Dahim
World Languages Content Specialist: Gabrielle Hssain
Immersion Coordinator: El Hadji Diongue
Overview
MCPS offers a number of Language Immersion programs across the county. Acceptance into the Immersion program is based on a lottery system in the elementary years. Gaithersburg Middle School has been home to the up-county French Immersion program since 2001, with 23 years of providing continuance in Immersion Education for students interested in the continual development of their French Language and Literacy skills. The French Immersion program at Gaithersburg Middle School is partial-immersion, with students completing a Language Arts and World Studies course each of their three years in French. Their language arts course counts for 1 high-school credit through the World Languages Department. Along with numerous local and international field trips, activities, contests and opportunities to develop French speaking, reading and writing skills, students in the Immersion program are also invited to participate in an International Exchange with our sister school in France, Collège de Notre Dame (http://www.notredamedefrance92.fr/).
Most students in the French Immersion program have participated in French Immersion since kindergarten at Maryvale Elementary School. Students who are interested in Immersion at GMS and who are not continuing from Maryvale may test into the program pending available seats. For more information, contact GMS World Languages Content Specialist Gabrielle Hssain.
For more information about Immersion Programs in MCPS visit: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/middle/immersion-french/ & FAQs for MS Immersion Articulation from Elementary to Middle School Immersion Hubs
French Immersion Transition to Middle School Meeting
Does your child have an interest in...
- Continuing in an immersion program to expand his or her knowledge of French?
- Reading and writing in French?
- Discussing world events in French?
- Exploring French culture?
In order to learn more about the transition into the Middle School Immersion Program, please join us at our meeting in the Fall. Date will be announced shortly.
EOY Celebration
French 23/24 EOY Celebration Presentation
Grand Concours testing:
Takes place February-March
GMS tends to score in the top 10% of schools who participate in the test.
Why?
- The Grand Concours, the National French Contest, offers students a valuable opportunity to enhance their language skills and cultural understanding. Participation in this esteemed contest not only motivates students to strive for excellence in French but also provides them with a tangible goal to work towards. The rigorous nature of the test encourages a deeper engagement with the language, fostering improved proficiency and confidence. Moreover, excelling in the Grand Concours can bolster students' academic profiles, opening doors to scholarships and college admissions. Ultimately, the experience promotes a sense of achievement and pride, reinforcing the benefits of learning a world language.
What information is included on the assessment?
- Vocabulary
- Structures
- Cultural Awareness
French Immersion Exchange
Students in the French Immersion Program at Gaithersburg Middle School have the wonderful opportunity to participate in a French exchange with our sister school in France, Collège de Notre Dame (http://www.notredamedefrance92.fr/). GMS students both travel to France and serve as hosts to our French visitors. On these trips students live with the host families and accompany guest students and teachers on local trips throughout France and the US.
In April 2023, Gaithersburg Middle School students visited with our sister school Collège de Notre Dame and our friends from France visited in March 2024. We look forward to our 2025/2026 trip to France.
In France our students spend time as students at our sister school and have visited many sites including: Normandy, Notre Dame de Paris, Versaille, Musee de L'homme, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmortre, Musee du Parfum, In the US, students in exchange program have visited multiple historical and cultural sites including: US Capitol Building, Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, Princeton University.
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Additional Images:
singing at 50 year french immersion celebration 2.jpg
Swiss Embassy/La Madeleine Field Trip: