Any insight good or bad for enrolling child in Grade 1 French Immersion?

Question

My child's home school in Ontario Canada is now offereing French Immersion starting in Grade 1. While I would not have enrolled him in French immersion if it meant going across town, I a wondering about the pros and cons. Any experiences to help make a decision are welcome.

Answer 1

I wish that I had the opportunity to have been in French Immersion. Later on in life, it really helps to have a second language, be it for job applications or actual job requirements.

French will also be a breeze for your child in high school, and they can take French courses in University to boost their average.

Answer 2

This is an excellent opportunity to learn another language and learn it well.
My parents moved from Québec to Ontario when I was 3. I started kindergarden at 4. I did not know 1 word of English as we spoke only French at home. I learned English quickly and easily. We moved back to Québec and I started grade 1 in English school. I still had what they called enriched French courses and the rest of my education was in English.
I am what they call "perfectly bilingual" and have no French accent when I speak English. I now go to University in French although I had the choice of going in English and I learned Spanish as a third language.
I see only pros to enrolling your child in French immersion especially since French is difficult to learn as a second language. Your child will still speak and learn English at home so I see no problem.
Learning a new language is so much easier when you're a kid.

Answer 3

i don't see any bad effect, only that he or she will need to keep up with it for many years to come or they will forget it anyway.

Answer 4

if he only speaks english now, then he'll porbably get eh languages messed up. maybe you shoudl start when he's in 3rd grade. that's when i started learning my second language and i didn't mess it up.