The classes are conducted entirely in French with a native teacher and children are constantly encouraged to use French in the classroom. The Alliance Française de Sydney recognises that a friendly and creative environment is essential in the children’s learning process. So we have developed the activities to take this into account.
Children use a text book throughout the course that - together with the extensive use of the new computer based language laboratory - will encourage learning with lively and interactive exercises (only for advanced level)
The methodological and linguistic basis of our program for KIDS has as its primary objectives:
• To give the student the ability to express/communicate in French with the help of simple sentences and using a foundation of a maximum of 750 items.
• To participate in the psychomotor development of the child with the aid of songs, games, dances, drama activities, music and marionettes…
• Stimulate oral production through gestures and movements, with the aim of progressively elaborating and assimilating – (essentially through movements of the body) a history in the French language and to be able to reiterate it freely with the aide of autonomous productions.
BEGINNERS (lev.1)
Through the use of games, songs, and activities such as drawings, folding, collages and mimes, at the end of the Beginner’s level, your child should be able to:
• Greet people;
• Introduce someone/themselves
• Ask and give personal information;
• Spell in French;
• Express likes and dislikes;
• Understand simple questions
• Understand, use and spell correctly around 50 words related to the various themes covered in the classes;
• Understand a short story from an illustrated book and communicate simply in French with his / her classmate.
Other topics covered:
• Numbers from 0 - 20;
• Prepositions: dans (in), sur (on), sous (under).
ELEMENTARY (Lev.2) - At least 2 sessions - 32 hours of French
Children who have already followed the beginners program or are assessed as able to follow this level, will at the completion, through the use of games, songs, and activities such as drawings, folding, collages and mimes, be able to:
• Talk about their daily activities and simple future plans;
• Describe and locate people and places;
• Describe and talk about their family;
• Express possession;
• Understand, use and spell correctly around 150 words related to the various themes covered in the classes;
• Understand a story from an illustrated book;
• Take part in a simple French play and communicate simply in French.
Other topics covered:
• Situate oneself in relation to time (Eg. day/month/hour)
• Situate oneself in a physical place (prepositions)
• Numbers from 20 – 69
• Family
• Description: physical non-physical state (Eg. friendly/naughty/tall/short)
• Animals
• House (written work using a well known story: Boucle d’Or).
INTERMEDIATE (Lev.3)
Children who have already followed the elementary program or are assessed as able to follow this level, will at the completion, through the use of games, songs, and activities such as drawings, folding, collages and mimes, be able to:
• Introduce a person;
• Describe / compare people & objects;
• Ask questions;
• Express a wish, his / her skills;
• Order / command;
• Tell a simple story in the present tense.
Other topics covered:
• Begin the story-tale, The Three Little Pigs
• Development of notions
• Complex sentences
ADVANCED (Lev.4)
At least 6 sessions – 96 hours of French or contact with French on a regular basis.
For example, a French-speaking parent.
• Children in this class must have a good understanding of French;
• Work with stories and related vocabulary;
• Use of level 1-3 skills to create/to change contexts;
• This level contains a reading and writing component.