French

Learning French is an enriching experience both culturally and intellectually. We aim to spark a passion for learning languages in our children. We foster curiosity in French in our youngest children and continue to develop language, listening, reading and memory skills throughout their years here.

Our French teachers encourage inquisitiveness and a deep interest in other cultures, as well as solid knowledge of language. By the time our pupils leave, they have the foundations for a path of lifelong independent learning in French and other languages.

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Nursery

Pre-Prep

Prep

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The benefits of learning a language during the nursery years are significant because this is when children’s innate ability to absorb and reproduce the sounds is sharpest.

During our nursery week, we sing lots of songs, games and rhymes in French which helps the children to learn their first words.

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From Nursery through to Year 2, we focus on speaking and listening and learning through songs and games.

Our children recognise many key words and have an appreciation of French culture by the time they move to Year 3, when they have the chance to host a visiting children from France.

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In Years 3 and 4, we continue to inspire and engage the children in the fun of communicating in French. Although a little written French is introduced, the continued emphasis is on listening and speaking. Students from a French international school visit us in the summer term, and this gives the children a real sense of purpose and achievement to their learning.

In Years 5 and 6, the children have more lessons in French each week and are taught by subject specialist teachers. We enthuse them with topics that are familiar and relevant to their age. There is still plenty of fun in the classroom, with games, songs, mimes and role-plays, and an afternoon experiencing theatre in French. Children at this age are now ready to learn more vocabulary and start to gain a solid grammatical understanding.

In Years 7 and 8, we work to inspire a love of languages that goes far beyond preparation for the Common Entrance and scholarship exams, or the useful aspect of speaking French on holiday or in business situations.

We keep the topics familiar and motivating, as the grammar gets increasingly challenging in order to refine knowledge of the French language. In Year 7, our pupils head to France for an immersive trip where they live the language and experience the culture first-hand.

French

Beyond the classroom

Throughout the children’s time at Westbourne House, we aim to bring French to life by organising enriching activities that fit into the school day.

We take pupils to various language festivals and workshops, hosted by nearby schools, where children learn through a variety of mediums including song, dance, art, drama as well as experiencing different languages including Chinese and Spanish.

Years 3 and 4 are visited by children from a French school and Year 7 visit France and spend five days in the stunning region of Burgundy. Here they live the language’ and develop their language skills further through a French immersion course, as well as visiting places of historical, cultural and spiritual interest, and tasting culinary specialities. On their return, they perform short plays in French for their parents.

Years 5 – 8 also watch and interactive French play, which boosts their confidence in understanding and encourages their spontaneous use of language.

Fabienne Bennison,

Head of French

Being French myself, I am passionate about sharing the fun and excitement of learning languages. I enjoy developing the children’s confidence in speaking French and watching as they get a buzz from talking and contributing in a second language.