A Little OT - French Lessons

[cookie334]

Just wondered if any of you that have kids have ever got french lessons for them?

My kids are only 6 and 4, but they had so much fun talking in french to the cm's when we were there in June and they got such lovely comments from them all for trying.

I've found a lady that does them on a Saturday morning and both kids can go to the same lesson, so they can help each other out. It's quite expensive, but I think it could be worth it. Do you think they'll learn from it?

Has anyone else done this? Did your kids enjoy it? And was it worth the money? I personally think they're at the perfect age to start, they take everything in and I think it's a bit daft that Britain is the only (I think) country in Europe that doesn't learn a second language until later school years.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Depends on the school. My son is 5 and has Italian for an hour every Wednesday and loves it (we try to get them to use French/Spanish/Italian/German/Welsh when we travel). They get a real kick out of it.

 

[A Small World]

DD (8) has been having French lessons at school this yr and has really learned a lot.
I agree its a shame that not all children are given the opportunity to learn it.

Im an ex French teacher myself so have always tried to teach my children some languages and as we have holidayed in France every year since DS3 was 1 (he is now 19) they always tried to use it. I always try to use it myself as much as possible whilst we are in France and even when Im spoken back to in English I usually continue with the French.

The younger the children are when they learn a language the better as they dont question it as much- it just becomes part of the norm. DD and I often play games and count in French and have short conversations with each other in French as well.

Maybe I should look at giving lessons on a Saturday - it would fund some more trips to DLP

 

[ema74]

My girls are bilingual. I'm from Macedonia so I teach them my language... DH is Swiss French but he doesn't talk to them in French, he thinks 2 languages are fine for now... And since we live in London, they learn English no doubts about it. Mia was a little slower with the English but has caught up very quickly and is now perfect and even has Spanish lessons at school.

Between the two of us we speak quite a few languages (I speak/understand most of the Slavic languages, fluent English and some Italian) but we both felt that they should learn Macedonian because not everyone in my family speaks English.

I was 5 when I started learning English. I only went to a little private school and all we did was listened to stories and sang songs. It was great and my ear got used to the sounds. We never wrote or read anything... I loved it! Then it was my choice to study English, Italian & Slavic languages, literature and linguistics at Uni.

I think the kids are like sponges. One of my professors at Uni told us the more languages you speak, the richer you are as a person... It's true! Once you know a second language it's easier to understand/learn more.

I think you're doing a great thing. Don't worry about the money - it'll definitely be worth it!

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

I'm going to do a evening course in French in September, so if can do it anyone can lol.
I actually loved doing French at school and it came in handy on trips to the South of France as we went many times in my teenage years.

I wish Kyra was a little bit older because i would love for her to learn a second language early. She already knows "Bonjour" but thats about it.

 

[cookie334]

It is a shame that more schools don't do it. I would have to wait until my kids were 10 before their school will start to teach them french. Even that isn't the norm for here though, usually it's difficult to get a primary school to teach them a language and they are not introduced to languages until high school (11/12). That's great that your kids have the chance so early.

Thank you both for your answers. I'm just hoping it's not going to be a waste of money as I have to pay for the whole term for both of them up front.

A Small World you should give lessons, if these ones are anything to go by you'd be laughing all the way to DLP

Thanks ema, I think you're right, languages open them up to so much more. I started to learn french at high school but can barely remember any now, it will be funny when the kids can teach me I'm not too worried about the money if they stick at it I think it will be money well spent. My main concern is that they go to one or two and don't enjoy it as I will have paid for the whole term. I'm sure they'll love it though and I'll have been worrying for nothing.

 

[A Small World]

.

I wish Kyra was a little bit older because i would love for her to learn a second language early. She already knows "Bonjour" but thats about it.

Its never too early to learn.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Its never too early to learn.

I would of assumed being just under 3 would be too young to learn another language, i mean shes only just getting the hang of the English language

 

[cookie334]

I'm going to do a evening course in French in September, so if can do it anyone can lol.
I actually loved doing French at school and it came in handy on trips to the South of France as we went many times in my teenage years.

I wish Kyra was a little bit older because i would love for her to learn a second language early. She already knows "Bonjour" but thats about it.

That's great. You should teach her yourself. The tutor I was talking to said they sing songs to teach the very young children and watch cartoons and things like that, so I guess if you did it enough at home, they would pick it up. And like ema said the earlier they start the better.

 

[A Small World]

I would of assumed being just under 3 would be too young to learn another language, i mean shes only just getting the hang of the English language

No shes definitely not too young - just get her learning a few everyday word and phrases - colours, numbers etc and it will just become part of her everyday language.

I remember trying to get DD to say some words on holiday if France when she was about 2 - we tried to get her to say Bonjour and her reply was I cant say Bonjovi !!!!

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

I remember trying to get DD to say some words on holiday if France when she was about 2 - we tried to get her to say Bonjour and her reply was I cant say Bonjovi !!!!

Bonjovi...classic

I think i'll look into French lessons for her aswell. Then we can do homework together.

 

[ema74]

Guess its easy for me as Macedonian is my mother tongue and talking to the girls comes naturally... Even DH learnt it from me which is handy when we visit my family

 

[ema74]

No shes definitely not too young - just get her learning a few everyday word and phrases - colours, numbers etc and it will just become part of her everyday language.



I remember trying to get DD to say some words on holiday if France when she was about 2 - we tried to get her to say Bonjour and her reply was I cant say Bonjovi !!!!

 

[cookie334]

Bonjovi...classic

I think i'll look into French lessons for her aswell. Then we can do homework together.

Aw that would be so cute, bet she'd love that, learning something with mummy

 

[Cyrano]

DD10 started learning French in Primary 6. I've always wished kids here picked up languages much earlier

 

[rhysd2]

aye I'm all for anyone of any ages learning languages. Our school didnt let us do one until age 9 but I loved it and took german and french all the way through to GCSE. have since learnt some spanish, passable polish, and a little russian also.

my wife was suprised how much french I remembered from school when we were there in Jan. Had whole conversations with CM's in french and even booked our reservations for restaurants in it

 

[cookie334]

aye I'm all for anyone of any ages learning languages. Our school didnt let us do one until age 9 but I loved it and took german and french all the way through to GCSE. have since learnt some spanish, passable polish, and a little russian also.

my wife was suprised how much french I remembered from school when we were there in Jan. Had whole conversations with CM's in french and even booked our reservations for restaurants in it

Wow you've done well to remember so much from school. I was amazed by how much I'd forgotten!!!! I did french and spanish at school, but can barely speak a word of them now. Hoping the kids will refresh my memory when they start their lessons

 

[karenmoloney]

I have the Muzzy tapes in French. I used to play them for DD1 when she was about 3 & she did have some french phrases. Then she started French classes about the time she turned 4, but the teacher stopped the classes & never refunded the money (we had to pay upfront). I hounded her for months, but never saw a penny. Then last year I had a french student come to the house once a week & basically he played games with her & her cousins, but unfortunatley he had to go back to France when his years study as up. I am sure she has forgotten most of what she knew!

Reading this has renewed my resolve to continue with the French & will play the Muzzy tapes again starting tomorrow & maybe come September I will come across another student from France willing to do the same to make some money.

I did French to 'O'Level (showing my age there!), but while I was good at it back then, I have forgotten most of it by now. I had wanted to start lunchtime french language classes when DD1 started nursery, but there weren't any & I couldn't go to evening ones because DH works shifts. Now I have DD2, so maybe I will try again when she starts school.

I would definitely pay the money if I had the opportunity of sending my children to french class.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Where can you get these Muzzy tapes? I'm desperate to teach my DD French.

 

[Bolanette87]

I've always wished I could speak another language- It opens a lot doors for you in life, so I'd say go for it! Kids tend to find learning it fun because it means they know a 'secret' language....!

Bob xoxoxox