Junior French

Aberdeen Hall has implemented a revolutionary new approach to second language instruction called The Accelerative-Integrated Method (AIM). It is based upon the use of specifically designed plays, which become the focus for a range of motivating oral and written activities that help students develop confidence and competence in the language. There are also songs, chants and raps that help students who learn well through rhythmical activities. Carefully selected, conversational vocabulary (termed pared-down language or PDL) is taught initially, in order for students to be well-equipped to carry out spontaneous conversation early on in their language learning.

      This programme also employs the Gesture Approach, a technique that uses hand signs to help students learn and remember the vocabulary. Each word is associated with a gesture, so that the language is represented visually and kinesthetically, in order to target these particular learning styles.

      There is an equal, strong emphasis on the development of all four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) through this programme; however, for young students, the written word will be gradually introduced and the initial focus is on oral language acquisition.  Students are individually challenged as they work through the written activities at their own pace.  Students new to the programme quickly become engaged and actively participate, eventually catching up with their peers.  DVDs are available to all students for work at home. Our aim through this program is for children to achieve critical fluency by the end of Grade 6.

Students will:

• speak only French in the classroom
• only be spoken to in French in the classroom
• perform French plays in front of an audience
• learn a variety of French songs and raps
• create their own written story re-tellings in French

Students testimonial:

‘I love French class because I get to speak French and no English.’  Declan, Kindergarten

‘I like the ‘La Poule Maboule’ song a lot.  It is fast at the beginning and lots of fun!’  Hibah, Kindergarten

‘I love making and playing with the puppets in French class.’  Chantal, Kindergarten

‘I like the French games that we play in class, like ‘Je Frappe’.’  Leo, Grade 1

‘I love to do all the activities in French class because they’re fun.’  Amira, Grade 2

‘I like all the prizes we can win in class for participating and speaking only in French.’  Sydney, Grade 2