Original Mission Statement
1) Program Goal: To create an after school French language program for Hanover children, from Kindergarten to 5th Grade, that teaches the children the language and instills in them a sense of wonder about the language and French culture.
2) Program Structure: The program will include various levels, such as Beginner, and Intermediate/Advanced, based on the level of each child's proficiency and comfort with the French language. The goal of the program is to create a FUN learning experience which incorporates all the elements of an academic program (vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, conversation, etc.) with the fun and excitement of an extracurricular activity. Most importantly, the children should look forward to the classes as something they truly want to do, rather than something that they are forced to do.
3) Parent Involvement: Parent involvement is crucial to the creation, implementation and success of this program. There will be various committees formed to help with the establishment and ongoing functioning of the program. To date, these committees will include the following: Curriculum Committee, Teacher Recruitment and Coordination Committee, Program Organizational Committee, etc.
4) Class Content/Curriculum Development: Classes should include two thirds time devoted to fun and activities in French and one third time devoted to grammar or the equivalent in more formal, sit down, focused activities. We will try to borrow from the Rassias Teaching Method, which includes a very active and engaged formula for language instruction (we will be watching a video about the Rassias Method following the meeting). These methods will be adapted, as is possible, for the very young children in the program. The Curriculum Development Committee will be responsible for development of the class curriculum in collaboration with the selected teachers. Numerous resources, belonging to parents currently interested in the program, are available to the selected teachers and the committee members to assist in the curriculum development.
5) Program Schedule: The After School French program is anticipated to start shortly after the beginning of the Ray School academic year, in mid September 2003. The program will be divided into two sessions which will each last for 10 to 12 weeks. Classes are currently planned for 1 day per week for 1 hour. Classes will be located at the Ray School, hopefully in the Ray School French classroom, to be able to benefit from all of the teaching materials already in the classroom.
6) Teacher Qualifications: The program teachers should be fluent in the French language. Ideally, the teachers would have previous experience with teaching French classes to children. Volunteer teacher assistants will be solicited from the Hanover High School and Dartmouth College. Teacher compensation will be determined based on the teachers' own requirements and the availability of funds from the participating students and any grant or foundation support obtained.
7) Class cost per student: We anticipate that a per student cost of $3 to $6 per class. This cost will depend upon the teachers' compensation requirements, the number of students per class, and any additional grant and fund support obtained. Total session payment for each student will be requested at the beginning of each session.