Bilingual outcomes for a student with down syndrome in French immersion

Abstract This study investigated the French and English outcomes and experiences of one student with Down syndrome enrolled in a Canadian French Immersion (FI) program. Testing in Grades 6 and 8 revealed development in both languages, higher English than French skills, and progress across the two years in English only. English language and reading comparisons in Grade 8 showed the bilingual student had similar or better English abilities than age-matched monolinguals with Down syndrome (DS) schooled in English only. Interviews revealed that the parents were strong advocates for their son and worked closely with the school to ensure accommodations were in place in FI that fostered his success. The interviews also offered some explanation for the lack of French progress at second testing. This study provides the first evidence that FI can provide a path to bilingualism for students with DS. The findings have implications for inclusive education.