We are pleased to present a fun and dynamic introduction to the French language and culture. This class will be taught using a multi-sensory, hands-on approach. An exciting blend of artwork, songs, games, skits and multimedia will lead students to a high level of retention. Students’ learning of practical vocabulary and conversation skills will be integrated with an exploration of the major cultural traditions from France and French Canadian cultures. Classes will include vocabulary development, conversation skills, pronunciation and a variety of fun cultural explorations. Students do not need any prior foreign language experience to take part in this program. No prior experience required. Michelle DeGagné has a certificate in French language from the Centre Linguistique-Collège de Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. After having lived in Quebec for more than five years, where she was immersed in the French language and traditions, she feels confident that she is able to bring some of her experience to class.
Granby After School Language Program
By Michelle Degagne
Having children excited to learn is a prerequisite for anything you are trying to teach. A second language is no different. For a student to enter a classroom with enthusiasm takes a little motivation sometimes. When the instructor is excited to teach, the enthusiasm will very likely transfer to their students. How do you do that with no set curriculum and no real budget? Well… it can be tricky.
I was thrilled to be asked to teach an after school French language program through our town’s Parks and Recreation department. The class meets twice a week for a short fifty minutes after school and is open to all students’ grades 3-6.
Learning French as an adult while living in northern Quebec, I was all too familiar with some of the apprehensive feelings the students may have in learning another language. Wow, was I ever surprised! The class came in eager and happy to try out their new skills. Would I be able to keep them motivated through the next 25 sessions? I certainly hoped so. We played twister, hangman, duck-duck-goose, sang songs, watched videos and listened to music! When the weather became warmer we spent time outside on the playground discussing the seasons and looking at nature, as well as running around and playing “Simon says” en français. The students shared personal experiences of their travel abroad by bringing in pictures and items they had found while in markets in France. We learned about French artists and watched a power point presentation about our French neighbors to the north; we even learned how to fold napkins resembling the “fleur de lis”. We read books, had a guest speaker and ended the year with a “French picnic” that was attended by the students’ families.
When I asked the class if they had fun, it was a unanimous yes! Would they be back next year? Absolutely. The only thing one student told me they were missing was how to say “monkey” in French. I would say enthusiasm wasn’t a problem.