Frequently Asked Questions

  1. I don't know any French. How can I encourage my child?
  2. Can you recommend some good French books?
  3. How much does it cost?
  4. Why not Spanish?
  5. Will my kids be fluent after going to the Club?
  6. How can I help?
  7. Why doesn't French start until Grade 4?

I don't know any French. How can I encourage my child?

The main thing is to promote activities and interest in French and other languages. Ask about classes, review any materials sent home after club, and try to provide opportunities to use French.

For example, there are some French books at the Ray School Library and the Howe Library. There are web sites about French. It is easy to go to Canada, where French is one of the official languages. Montréal is about 3 hours away. Quebec City is about 4 hours away. Ottawa is about 5 hours away.

For other ideas, try our Parent Resources page.

Can you recommend some good French books?

You can find some suggestions on our Parent Resources page.

How much does it cost?

The cost is $99 for the Fall 2005 session. Details here.

Why not Spanish?

There was already a French program at the Ray School for Grades 4 and 5, and the parents that started the club all spoke French. New Hampshire shares a border with Quebec. Also, French is the largest ancestry reported in the 2000 census for NH.

Will my kids be fluent after going to the Club?

No, the French club does not replace formal French training. It is intended to supplement it and promote further interest. We hope that the children will learn some French vocabulary, and some simple French expressions.

For those children that were already fluent, we hope that the club will provide a forum to interact with other fluent children, so that they do not lose their French.

How can I help?

We rely heavily on parent volunteers for the club. Please check the list of committees to see if any interest you. Parents prepare the snack for the children in the club (expenses are reimbursed), and you can check the snack page to see if a date is available.

If you speak French, and would be willing to help in the classroom, please let us know. The more adults we have in the classroom, the more small groups we can have, and this allows the students more opportunity to talk.

Why doesn't French start before Grade 4 at the Ray School?

This is unclear. Perhaps it was a budgetary constraint at the time the French program was added. In any case, there is a committee within the club that is working with the school district to expand the French program so that it can start earlier. Details here.

 

Last updated September 7, 2005