Teenagers and adults often feel inhibited when they start learning a new language. They are embarrassed as they try to reproduce the unfamiliar sounds and they fear ridicule if they get it wrong. A young child has no such inhibitions. To them speaking a new language is part of play. At Complete Childcare we use musical instruments, songs and rhymes (traditional and modern) movement and role play, cooking, stories and games, puppets, our French dollies Tom and Camille, and sensorial material to teach French instructions, colours, numbers, greetings and basic vocabulary on any topic in which the children express interest. There is no specific syllabus.

We don’t just teach the language, we also explore the culture.  Through the year, major French festivals are covered which often leads to some culinary discoveries: chocolate truffles at Christmas, a special Epiphany cake on January 6^th, pancakes on Presentation Day, February 2^nd   and Carnival cookies for Mardi Gras. Children are introduced to strange traditions like giving a sprig of lily of the valley to friends and family on May 1^st or sticking paper fish in their parents’ back on April Fools! They learn that French children don’t have Christmas stockings but put out their shoes under the Christmas tree and that Easter eggs are brought by Easter bells and not bunnies! We also look at other ethnic festivals celebrated in France such as the Chinese New Year or Muslim or Jewish celebrations.

Obviously, the children do not leave nursery fully bilingual – English is still the principal teaching language all through the day. However, we are attempting to create an environment where French is experienced as naturally as possible.  Children are proud to use the vocabulary they have picked up and will sing French songs unprompted at home or at nursery. They'll count in French in the car or ask their parents and siblings how they feel in French.

Our approach is based on enjoyment. The children treat it all as fun. It is a multi-sensory approach, with most of the session presented in French as we try to build up their vocabulary. It’s at this point that all the advantages of language teaching to pre-school children are so obvious. A combination of enthusiasm and lack of inhibition leads to a good standard of pronunciation. In addition to basic vocabulary, little everyday phrases are developed and used naturally by the children amongst themselves: J’ai gagné! Assis! Debout! A table! Allez, on y va! S'il vous plaît! Merci! Comment ça va?