Modern Approach
Recently, there has been a shift away from teaching only the formal grammatical nature of a language. When we learn a language in grammatical “pieces” it becomes difficult to gain sufficient knowledge to use that language in the real world. Our curriculum, therefore, is designed with functional and communicative goals in mind. Students at Visitation learn the grammar and vocabulary of French not only through grammatical exercises, but by reading and using the language with contextual support. For example, a recent fifth grade immersion lesson in mathematics taught vocabulary, ordinal numbers, and the interrogative pronoun qui. The lesson was conducted entirely in French, and students were able answer and create their own word problems and organize lists using ordinal numbers. In using a content area to teach French grammar, students can use prior knowledge and contextual clues to help them understand the language. This differs greatly from the old approach of using only grammar exercises and vocabulary memorization.
Upper School
The desired outcome of the Upper School French program is to meet the state standards set out for second language learning. In grades five through eight, students experience a wide variety of language. The state standards for foreign language teaching require that students learn to communicate in the target language, but also to develop cross cultural skills and understanding. In order to meet these goals students learn both the language and culture of the French speaking world.
Lower School - Foundational Objectives
The development of listening and speaking skills is the focus of the Lower School French curriculum. Students listen to songs, play games, and read stories in French. Some of the general themes covered in these first few years include weather, seasons, likes and dislikes, animals, and clothing.
As students move into the fourth grade, they begin to study the grammatical structure of the language.
Learning Languages through Technology
Technology can support teachers in making language learning faster, easier, less painful, more engaging, and helps create an optimal language learning environment. The use of computer resources in the foreign language classroom captivates students by providing real world purposes for language. The programs used in our
lessons present students with age and linguistically appropriate examples of the French language. The British Broadcasting Corporation’s website offers animated stories for new learners, as well as short films about ordering in a French restaurant or shopping in Paris. These give students the confidence to use the language in real environments by presenting complete and scripted examples. The more the children experience the word through all their senses, the more meaningful and therefore retainable it will be. The animated series incorporates music and lyrics that engages the younger students and helps them to remember vocabulary. We are always looking for new and innovative technological approaches that will enhance language learning at Visitation.
