Overview
For over 60 years, French has been an integral part of what makes the Marion Cross School a special place. Students in all grades at Marion Cross, from kindergarten through sixth grade, take French as a part of their regular program of study. Students in kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 have French class four days a week for a total of 80 minutes a week. In third and fourth grade, French class time increases; classes occur three times a week for 30 minutes each. Once students reach fifth grade, French instruction increases to 180 minutes a week, 45 minutes per class, four times a week.
NB
Over the next few years, the Marion Cross School French curriculum will undergo significant changes as each class has more exposure to language than their older peers. We recognize, and hope you will understand, that any document or description we provide is subject to change. While all curricula should be living documents, we find ourselves in a unique position with the expansion of our language program and each year looking different from previous years. Nonetheless, our philosophy will remain consistent.
The French curriculum at Marion Cross is based on building language skills and proficiency through comprehensible input. We approach second language learning with the same elements that dominate first language acquisition: children hear the language long before they begin to produce it themselves. We immerse students in a language-rich environment, using stories, songs, props, and gestures to help them acquire vocabulary and simple phrases.
With repetition, energy, and creativity, teachers present material to students and provide them opportunities to hear the language and thus build a foundation upon which their language learning will continue through the years.
With repetition, energy, and creativity, teachers present material to students and provide them opportunities to hear the language and thus build a foundation upon which their language learning will continue through the years.
