Afterschool

Our afterschool program offers a variety of classes in the French language as well as French culture within the larger European framework. To join the class that is suitable to your child, please contact: Annabelle Bregler, abregler@thefrenchabc.com

Classes are organized by age and level and take place either during the week — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4:00 pm. to 5:30 pm — or on Saturday mornings from 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

We offer two programs:

A program for French speaking children. This program is designed for children speaking French at home or whose family plans to go back to France and get back to the French educational system.

For children from 5 to 7.  Our main objective is the reading of the French language. We use a traditional method based on the use of syllables with the support of the notebook “Max, Jules et leurs copains (Max, Jules and their friends)” published by Hachette Education.  Language activities reinforcing speaking skills are numerous since children schooled in the American system tend to have problems expressing themselves in French.

For children from 7 to 9. The program addresses the 5 followings parts in depth: grammar, conjugation, writing, spelling, vocabulary and writing composition.

For children ages 9 to 12. The activities are designed to consolidate the reading and writing already acquired with additional exercises of grammar, conjugation and orthography. An outlook on history and geography is added. CNED resources are used as well as other resources.

It should be noted that the improvement of the children is substantial when they meet twice a week.

Our program is supported by:

Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes
AGENCE POUR L’ENSEIGNEMENT FRANÇAIS À L’ÉTRANGER

 

 

 

A program for French as a foreign language.

 

For children just starting in French, we use the methods “Alex et Zoé” or “Mag” according to the ages of the students.

Our classes are organized according to three levels:

• Beginners
• Intermediates
• Advanced

For each level, we try to group the children according to their ages.

For children ages 3 and 4, our main objective is on language development. Songs, storytelling and fun activities are used to immerse the children in the French language for an hour and a half or 2 hours. We strongly invite you to consider the Full Time School to achieve a full bilingualism.

For older children, our methods teach the language through action and fun activities. This includes listening, imitation, grammar and writing.

We want to engage the children to talk about themselves and their interests. We favor highly interactive classrooms where children help each other and work together.

Each level allows for the students to progress in oral communication but also in the written part of the language. We promote and encourage the reading of different types of literature.

For all ages and all levels, we lead the children to the discovery of the French literature and to get acquainted with the wealth of the culture (Molière, Cyrano de Bergerac, the fables of La Fontaine, the lives and master pieces of famous painters Matisse, Cézanne and others.)

The students enjoy presenting to their parents the poems and plays they memorized during the year. And, each year we plan a special event to welcome their families in the classrooms.

DELF Junior or Diploma of the Study of the French Language

The DELF Junior is a diploma that all students 9 years and older with a solid knowledge of French can earn. It is a diploma given by the French Ministry of Education and Superior Teaching.

There are 4 DELF Junior levels corresponding to 4 levels of knowledge: A1, A2, B1 and B2.

This diploma is a great tool to motivate our students. It gives them a goal but also a reward. It is the recognition of all their efforts and the validation of their competencies.

For all levels, the exams are made of 4 parts: oral and written comprehension, writing essays and oral communication. Each part accounts for 25 points. To succeed the student must get 50 out of 100.

In June 2009, three students took the exams for Delf Junior A1, two took the exams of Delf junior A2. These 5 students got marks ranging from 80 to 95 %.

In June 2010, 12 students got their diplomas (A1 to B1). In June 2011, 18 students will apply for the 4 levels.

For more information about the DELF, please consult www.ciep.fr