Benowa State High School is the only accredited French Bilingual High School in Australia. We have an
international reputation in excellence in language immersion. Benowa pioneered French Immersion in
Queensland and has been acclaimed nationally and internationally as the most successful
model in extension studies and language education. French Immersion continues to set the
benchmark for high academic performance and we are justly proud of our
students’ achievements. Since 2011 Benowa students have won the Language Perfect World Championships
title, an international competition involving thousands of students studying in
dozens of countries.
We deliver a quality program of
instruction designed to meet individual learning needs. A dedicated team of highly proficient,
professional and passionate teaching staff work closely with each student to
maximise students’ opportunities for achievement.
What is an Immersion Program?
Academic French Immersion is a
program of academic excellence offering students a unique opportunity to become
bilingual. On completion, students will
have gained a high level of proficiency in French that will enable them to sit
the Diplome d’Etudes en Langue Francaise, if this is their ambition. This qualification is an internationally recognised
French Proficiency exam and is required to allow students entry into offshore
universities.
The curriculum has been designed
so that all students may achieve success, even those with little or no previous
background in French. The core subjects of science, math, history and geography are taught using the French language. Students then study their elective subjects in English.
The distinguishing feature of immersion is learning in another language, not just learning the language. The second language is incidental but it
provides a unique and stimulating learning environment where academically able
students are challenged to problem solve, use higher order thinking skills and
deduce meaning.
The selection criterion for
students is based upon their academic performance in Year 6, NAPLAN and an
academic entrance exam. A recommendation
report from their Primary School teacher may also be used in order to evaluate
the qualities needed to be successful in the Academic French Immersion Program.
Please
note: the school, in consultation with families, reserves the right to withdraw
students from this program at any time.
