Brief Overview
The Pédagogie de l’Immersion Française (PIF) option is designed to meet the needs of students enrolled in the B.Ed Kindergarten and Elementary program who wish to teach in French immersion contexts. It consists of 30 credits of French and second language education related courses embedded within the regular B.Ed. Kindergarten and Elementary program (no additional credits are needed). In addition, certain other course sections may be offered in French. As French Immersion is the common program across English schools in Quebec, and a very popular option across Canada, opting for and completing this program should increase your employability upon graduation.
See the official eCalendar information with course lists and descriptions.
There are 3 ways to enter PIF. Please select the situation below that applies to you for instructions.
Prospective students
- Apply to the B.Ed. Kindergarten/Elementary (K/Elem) program through Admissions.
- After accepting the offer of admission, complete the French Language placement test (follow the instructions under the French Language Proficiency Requirements section below.)
Current McGill B.Ed. K/Elem students
- Complete the French Language placement test (follow the instructions under the French Language Proficiency Requirements section below).
Current McGill students (other than McGill B.Ed. K/Elem)
- Apply for an Inter/Intra Faculty Transfer into the B.Ed. K/Elem Pédagogie de l'immersion française program on Minerva. The program is open for fall term only.
- Complete the French Language placement test (follow the instructions under the French Language Proficiency Requirements section below.).
French Language Proficiency Requirements
To be admitted to PIF, you need to place at the FRSL 431 level or higher. If your French level is higher, you may be referred to the DLLF (French department). Note, that this referral is sufficient for entrance to the PIF program. In this case you will register for FREN courses (some FREN courses require a placement test).
*Note: If you graduated from a French (not French Immersion) secondary/high school or French CEGEP you are not required to complete the French Language placement test . Instead, please email advisedise.education [at] mcgill.ca with your full name, McGill ID and the address of your secondary/high school (attach a copy of your transcript) or CEGEP (no transcript required). Please put ‘Request to transfer to PIF option’ in the subject line. For newly admitted students, your request will be completed after you have registered in a course.
Registration Instructions and Communicating Your Results
- Register for the French Language Placement Test at the French Language Centre by clicking here. There are two components, one written (completed online) and one oral. Upon completion of the written component you are to register for the oral interview. At the beginning of the interview, you need to mention that you are looking for an FRSL course as part of the PIF program.
- Communicate the results of your French placement test, and your referral to the DLTC (if applicable) by email to advisedise.education [at] mcgill.ca. It is important to mention ‘PIF option – French Language Placement Test Results’ in the subject line and include your McGill ID number and full name. It will also indicate you are requesting the PIF option.
Note: As spaces fill up quickly, you should register as soon as possible. Dates are added on a rolling basis. If sessions are full, you should check back regularly in order to secure a space.
Pédagogie de l'Immersion Française (PIF) Foundation Year
Depending on the French Language Placement Test results, candidates from outside of Quebec who have a strong background in French (ex. Grade 12 French Immersion Program) may be eligible for conditional acceptance to the PIF program. Applicants who are conditionally admitted to the PIF option are required to complete the Foundation en français year (offered through the Faculty of Arts). Following successful completion of this program (passing grades of B), candidates will be transferred to the PIF program. Unsuccessful candidates will remain registered in the regular B.Ed. Kindergarten/Elementary stream.
Program information is organized for three distinct groups:
Prospective Students Newly Admitted Currently Registered