our story & Testimonials
Originally, the FLAM Program was created in 2001-2002 by the General Administration of the Department of International Cooperation and Development, within the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An initiative of the members of the Superior Counsel of France Abroad (CSFE) and the senators representing the citizens of France living abroad, it targets the French expatriate communities.
Seeing a real need for affordable and quality french education in the greater Boston area, a group of francophone parents gathered in 2008 to give their children a chance to learn, practice and play in French while celebrating french culture. By implementing the FLAM (Français Langue Maternelle) program, the group welcomed 12 students in 2 classes in Lexington in September 2008.
Thanks to its affordability, and its geographic proximity to many francophone families in the area, the efgb FLAM program started to reach a greater number of children. Thanks also to the FLAM grant from the French government, the group was able to purchase equipment and train teachers to ensure a quality approach to French education.
Today we offer FLAM courses 5 days a week in 7 locations around Boston. Our 20 staff members teach well over 200 students aged between 5 and 16 years. Here is what a few of our families have to say about us:
Seeing a real need for affordable and quality french education in the greater Boston area, a group of francophone parents gathered in 2008 to give their children a chance to learn, practice and play in French while celebrating french culture. By implementing the FLAM (Français Langue Maternelle) program, the group welcomed 12 students in 2 classes in Lexington in September 2008.
Thanks to its affordability, and its geographic proximity to many francophone families in the area, the efgb FLAM program started to reach a greater number of children. Thanks also to the FLAM grant from the French government, the group was able to purchase equipment and train teachers to ensure a quality approach to French education.
Today we offer FLAM courses 5 days a week in 7 locations around Boston. Our 20 staff members teach well over 200 students aged between 5 and 16 years. Here is what a few of our families have to say about us:
"My son is six years old. He was born and raised in the US and his first language is English. Summer vacations spent in France with his French cousins and a few French courses here and there had taught him a few French words and short expressions, but he was never very motivated to learn the language and speak it at home with us, even though his sister and his parents are fluent in French. Thanks to efgb, he now takes the initiative to speak French at home!"
Nicolas
"FLAM perfectly meets the expectations we had for our two daughters learning French. Each week, they find themselves in the company of other bilingual kids and realize that they are not the only ones in that same situation.
The program is serious and playful at the same time. The homework they are given is not cumbersome but does require us parents to get involved a bit, which in turn motivates the children.
The teachers are really engaging, enthusiastic and are available by email for children and for parents who may have questions. efgb is a serious, flexible, and creative program and is well adapted to 5-11 years old kids. It has qualified staff who are devoted to the cause of learning French."
Yolande and Phil
"My daughter Lisa, now 11, is growing up in the US. My wife and I have always regretted being unable to efficiently transmit our French cultural heritage to her. We discovered efgb two years ago and they have fully met our needs: after only a few months, surrounded and supported by motivated and proficient teachers as well as lovely new friends, she was able to read novels, watch movies, and even transfer her thoughts on paper in French.
FLAM is a fantastic complementary French education system that is not only teaching bilingual children to become more proficient in the French language but also more knowledgeable in French history, geography, and social environment. All this - combined with frequent weekend gatherings (fair, French theater, networking at the Swiss consulate) - has made our family life richer and much more fun."
Evelyne and Dominique