Creating Home-Based Foreign Language Classes for Kids

Young children are natural language learners. As a foreign language educator for almost 20 years, I can attest to the effectiveness of exposing preschoolers to new languages. They happily mimic new sounds and learn through play, song and story.

It is unfortunate that most school districts do not offer foreign languages until middle school or high school. I know the research, and I know that I want my children to experience more language than Dora or Diego can provide on TV.

I've created a parent-tot French program that meets for 45 minutes once per week in my home. If you are proficient in another language, you can follow this format to create a fun, age-appropriate preschool foreign language program.

Free Play Time
My basement is both a playroom and the French room. The walls are covered in French posters, and the bookshelves are stocked with French books. I realize that it's unrealistic to usher 3 or 4-year-olds into a room full of toys and expect them to immediately sit and focus on a French lesson. Therefore, the first 10-15 minutes is free play time so children can settle in and explore. French music plays in the background to warm-up little ears to the sounds of the language. I interact with the children in French as they play with toys, look at French books, work French puzzles, or create with play dough, crayons, markers, and stamps.

Circle Time
I always begin with a familiar song--"Plus Nous Sommes Ensemble." ("The More We Get Together.") This is the signal to begin full immersion! We greet each other with puppets, we sing songs, and we even throw balls. Grown-ups take part in the fun, too. Each day has a theme that incorporates basic concepts and new vocabulary. There are stories, games, rhymes, and lots of opportunities to move around. Some children might enthusiastically repeat new words and sing songs. Some children might not say a word. Both approaches are valid and successful as young brains process new sounds and meanings. No one is ever put on the spot to speak--not kids and not parents (who also might be learning a new language for the first time.)

Art Time
After about 15 minutes of directed teaching we all move to the craft table. Each week there is a simple project that reinforces the theme. This provides an incredible hands-on context for hearing French as steps for coloring, painting, cutting, and gluing are modeled entirely in the foreign language.

Snack Time
This is everyone's favorite part of class. There is a wealth of language opportunities centered on food. First, we head upstairs to the kitchen where children hear phrases associated with washing hands. Fresh fruit is always offered . . . great high frequency vocabulary like "la banane" or "l'orange," as well as drinks such as "le jus" or "l'eau" (water.) Sometimes there will even be a French treat to taste like baguettes or croissants. Children practice manners and learn to say "Bon appetit".

Closure
After snack is served, some families leave; others stay to visit, play, or watch a short French video.

Newsletter
Each week, I prepare a newsletter with a listing of vocabulary, song lyrics, and important tidbits about early language learning.

I have found great success with this mix of traditional early childhood classroom teaching and the casual, natural atmosphere of real in-home immersion. Language is constantly reviewed and recycled, introduced and re-introduced, so new families can join anytime.

Have fun teaching kids a foreign language!