At Saskatoon Public Schools, French Immersion students are stepping outside the classroom and into real-world learning experiences that bring language to life.

Teacher Robyn Miller (École Lakeview) says hands-on and outdoor learning play a powerful role in how students build their French language skills.

“We know learning is most effective when students go beyond worksheets and truly experience what they’re learning,” she explains. “Language grows when students are exploring, questioning, and thinking critically in authentic environments.”

Building confidence through experience

For Miller, one of the most noticeable benefits of this approach is the confidence it builds in students.

“When we’re outside or out in the community, students are more willing to take risks with their language,” she says. “They practice what we’ve been learning in class with greater confidence, and you can really see that growth.”

That willingness to try, make mistakes, and keep learning is key to developing strong language skills.

From classroom to community

One current project connecting students to the wider community is a partnership through One School One Farm.

Students are growing plants in their classroom that will eventually become part of a pollinator garden on a farm just east of the city. From planting seeds to visiting the farm, students are involved every step of the way.

“It’s a full-circle experience,” says Miller. “Students see the process from beginning to end, while practicing their French, building critical thinking skills, and engaging with the community.”

A week of immersion in Montreal

This year, Miller and her colleagues also led 30 students on a language and cultural exchange to Montreal through Experiences Canada.

The group spent a week fully immersed in a French-speaking environment, exploring the city and engaging in cultural activities. The exchange will continue this spring when students from Montreal visit Saskatoon.

“It was an incredible experience,” Miller says. “Students saw firsthand that French exists beyond the classroom. It’s something they can live and use every day.”

Lasting impact

The impact of the trip was immediate.

“They came back with so much confidence,” she says. “They understand now that being in French Immersion opens doors, not just while they’re in school, but long after graduation.”

Through hands-on learning, community partnerships, and immersive experiences, students in Saskatoon Public Schools’ French Immersion program are gaining more than language skills. They are building confidence, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the world around them.

Learn more about French Immersion by clicking here.