Episode 13: Getting to Know French Immersion with Kendra Hatch

In this episode of Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast, Pav sits down with Kendra Hatch, an elementary French Immersion teacher in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), to unpack the structure, benefits, and challenges of French Immersion programs.

Kendra shares her personal journey as a French Immersion student turned teacher and explains the differences between Extended, Middle, and Early Entry French Immersion programs. With firsthand experience in all three, she offers invaluable insights into how French Immersion supports language development, critical thinking, and lifelong learning skills for students.

This is an essential listen for educators, parents, and anyone curious about how French Immersion works—and why it can be such a powerful option for a wide range of diverse learners.

The conversation also highlights:

• The key differences between Extended, Middle, and Early Entry French Immersion programs in the TDSB.

• How learning in a second language fosters creativity, problem-solving, and resilience in students.

• Challenges French Immersion teachers face, particularly around resource availability and parental support.

• Addressing common misconceptions about who can thrive in French Immersion.

• Practical advice for teachers and parents supporting French language learners, even without French fluency themselves.

Kendra also reflects on the importance of collaboration among teachers across programs, the power of small efforts to encourage language learning, and why French Immersion remains such a rewarding teaching experience.

🎧 Listen now! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast, and visit ETT.ca for more updates.

If you'd like to reach out to the hosts of Teacher Talk or any of the guests featured on the podcast, please send an email to ⁠⁠⁠teachertalk@ett.on.ca⁠⁠⁠.

TRANSCRIPT

Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast is a Chey and Pav Educational Services, Inc. Production.