Français
English
Levels taught
The curriculum is divided into several levels according to a piagetian approach that respects the different stages of a child's individual development: the groups are made according to the age of the children and thus their corresponding cognitive skills.
We have 5 main groups:
The curriculum's fundamental goal is establishing and developing communicative functionality, reading and writing in the French language. In doing this, various language aspects, grammar, conjugation and vocabulary will be studied, always within a strong cultural setting.
Classes are in full immersion French.
Initial assessment:
The first two weeks are spent getting to know and assessing the children. These evaluations are meant to give them confidence through allowing them to openly express themselves and share the reasons of their presence in the program. For the teachers, it is a time to introduce the class content and projects for the year.
The period allows the teachers to assess their students through testing activities such as mutual introductions, and other oral games. Basing themselves on children’s abilities in oral expression, reading, and/or writing, the teachers are able to identify the skills to be introduced, improved or developed. They are thereby able to place children in the most appropriate class or propare well-suited activities.
More formal and systematic assessments are used with newcomers or children entering the program during the course of the year.
During the year, Mon Passeport de français (My French Passport), a specially designed efgb internal document, is used in individual monitoring of children's progress.
Teacher meetings:
Led by the instructional coordinator, pedogological meetings of the entire teaching team are held six times during the year. They allow the teachers to exchange ideas and resources, to set up new projects and assess those currently underway in order to pursue or modify them, depending on their students' success as well as their progress. In addition, they provide a forum for training teachers on some aspects of methods.
We have created a resource bank of ideas and materials to share on our website at efgboston.org. Here, the email addresses of all teaching staff members are exchanged in order to promote sharing all materials and project ideas, which benefits everyone.
Maintaining a teacher-parent-child relationship
Each teacher emails parents weekly or monthly about what is being done in class, assignments or any materials required from students, sometimes recommending particular resources or websites. Thanks to these email messages/ letters, parents are always aware of what their children are studying in class and are encouraged by the teachers to ask questions, participate in research for a project, help with homework and read stories... in French.
Parents are also frequently invited into the classroom to present the children with different elements of francophone culture.
Class organization
Classes are held twice a week for two hours each in schools (public or private) or churches of the Boston area.
At most of the sites, the classes welcome the children as they arrive from their local schools, permitting time for a snack and to play.
The class time itself is well-structured, while being interactive and fun. Classes are taught by a teacher aided by an assistant in some cases .
Class library
Each class has its own library thanks to parent donations, teachers lending their personal materials and purchases made by efgb.
At least twice per month, each child is able to borrow a book to read or to be read aloud to. Some books may be used as a teaching material in class for reading or to study a particular theme.
We organize, as well, certain special group offers for book subscriptions, such as to L'Ecole des Loisirs: www.ecoledesmax.com. This allows families to receive a quality book monthly and for efgb to increase its lending library ressources.
