How long are classes and how often do classes meet? All sessions will run for 8 weeks with one class per week. However, I plan to run some mini sessions around the holidays. French for travel classes are longer - 10 weeks- because we cover more material. Class duration is as follows: French for bébé - 30 mins French for tots - 45 mins French for preschool - 1 hour French for travel - 1 hour
May I leave my child at class? For saftey (and learning!) reasons we require that a caregiver stay on location at all times. French for bébé and French for Tots requires that a caregiver attend the class with their child. French for preschool classes are held with students only, but again, caregivers must remain on location.
Don't worry grownups, all my classes are fun for kids AND adults. Having been to many kid classes myself, its important to me that the classes are also fun for the adults. You'll be impressing your friends at dinner parties in no time. :)
What ages are the classes for? If your child fits into two age categories - no worries! Read the class descriptions under the French section above and decide whats best for you! But generally here are the age categories: French for Tots - 1-3 years French for Preschool 4-6 years French for Travel - Adults (However, if you have a teen dying to learn French please contact me and we can determine the best class for them. Even if that means making a new class!)
How many sessions in a year? I'd like to hold the following sessions each year Fall session - Oct/Nov Mini Holiday Session - December 1st - 22nd Winter Session - Jan/Feb Spring Session - March/April Mini End of school session - May/June Summer Camps - July/Aug
Is there any discount? I post discounts often on our Facebook page! Like us on Facebook to stay updated for new promos! If you sign up two or more kids in your family you can apply a 10% discount at checkout in the online store. Please e-mail me the names of your kids and the classes you would like to enroll them in and I will e-mail you a discount code! Our Friend referral discount is 10%. To earn this discount, please e-mail me the name of your friend and I will send you a discount code you can both use. May I make-up a class if I missed? Yes, you certainly can. However, each week there is new material. So lets say you missed your regular monday class. You could make that class up in the same week as long as there is another session running. If there is not then you could attend two sessions the following week, but be aware that the same material will be repeated twice. Let me know if you are going to miss a class and I can help you find a make up class. I can also fill you in on what you missed.
Do your classes use immersion? How much English is spoken in class? Great question! I totally believe in immersion for adults who understand what it is and how to approach it. Because French with Friends classes are exploratory, I do NOT use immersion. I will speak in French as much as possible and always provide either a translation or a confirmation for understanding. I totally believe in immersion for language learning, but understand that it is extremely intimidating for most people.
What kind of activities should I expect in the class? The following is for kids classes only. We have a hello song and a goodbye song. In between there will be stories, games, and activities to integrate that weeks vocabulary. A lot of the class is done in a "circle time" type manner. There may be on occasion a small craft (Madame Michelle LOVES crafts) but I'd rather use that extra time for learning and not for gluing.
French for Travelers will be run more like a traditional language class - but without the boredom. We also do games and activities that will help make linguistic connections in our brains. This class will be held with tables and chairs - not like circle time. Students will receive an online study packet that they can bring on their travels and to practice at home.
Do I get learning materials to take home? Yes! All classes will offer the vocabulary for the session either online or on paper.
Is the material different every session? Yes! and no... Each week will have a new vocabulary theme, however skills from past classes will be reviewed as well. Reptetition is key to learning. If you took a ballet class or a piano class it would be rather odd if you practiced a different performance each week, so we tend to do the same activities to solidify language concepts. But I do love changing things up a little with the seasons!
Can I signup for a session even if I didn't take the previous session? YES! ABSOLUTELY! All students can attend any class or session without fear that they will be behind.
May I try a sample class before I commit to a session? Please do! New students can try one class for FREE. Contact me to set up a time.