Clubs4Children

French4children introduces both KS1 and KS2 children to the basics of French through games, songs and fun. In the interests of brevity, this page refers only to French classes, but Clubs4children also organises classes in Spanish as well as community languages, especially Mandarin.

Our activities follow the guidelines of The QCA Scheme of Work for primary language learning.

Singing songs and playing games is an essential part of the early acquisition of language and both figure largely in the sessions. You will most probably recall many of those you learnt either before starting school or at nursery or in the playground at school!

Primary children particularly enjoy learning a foreign language through this medium since they are already familiar with learning rhymes from pre–school days. Young children enjoy rhythm and rhyme and exploring new and perhaps unfamiliar sounds, which makes learning a nursery rhyme in another language enjoyable. The young child will repeat a rhyme in a foreign language and is never daunted that s/he does not have the vocabulary to make sense of the rhyme. Indeed, how often does a very young child indulge in nonsense rhymes with no inhibition about having fun playing with sounds, rhythm and rhyme.

Early language learning ’links language with physical movement in action songs and rhymes ’ (DfEE 2000:44 ) and much of the material used in the sessions incorporates finger and thumb actions with simple songs with tunes already familiar to the young child.

Primary children enjoy play and for the younger child play is a natural way of communicating. Children have a great sense of fun and playing games meets their expectation that learning should be fun. Most children are naturally competitive and love competing with each other and even the least confident child in a group can be persuaded to participate in a particular game.

Games use the foreign language for a purpose and provide a meaningful context for introducing new vocabulary. Since French4children is perceived by children as a semi–recreational activity it is essential that children can participate actively in the session and therefore games play a significant part in the sessions.

As well as contributing to the success of the session, games make for a relaxed and happy atmosphere providing a context for effective learning. Games engender positive feelings about learning a Foreign Language and build a child’s self–esteem.

French4children uses fun, inspirational activities , underpinned by a structured syllabus.
This follows closely the scheme of work proposed by the Dfes for KS2 language learning, which assures children of the best possible start in learning French.

Children receive upon enrolment a Portfolio which records their language achievements through KS1–4.
Each term thereafter they receive a set of inserts which detail vocabulary, songs and activities which are taught during that term.

Parents are invited to purchase on–line past issues
if their child joins an established group rather than at the start of the course or for a child who is not a member of a club.

Other resources are also available to purchase on–line.

Each set of inserts is colour–coded and the syllabus takes us through the colours of the rainbow .....

Follow us to the end of the rainbow!