French classes

It seems there is some interest in trying to organize French classes somewhere central in the city.

I know of a teacher who charges $25 per kid per 2 hours and teaches in groups of about 10 kids - but I'm open to other teachers that people might know...

We need to figure out who is interested, and approximately what level they are at. We need to work out when those people are available. And we need to find a space that is convenient to get to and free.

sonya's picture

Survey: French classes

What do you and your kids want/need from a French class?

Conversational, written/grammar?

Activities/games, or lessons?

Beginner, medium, advanced?

Age groups or all together?

Willing to pay? How much approx?

Certified teacher, or French person w spunk?

Drop-in style (playtime with French kids... we are in Mtl!), or register for X weeks?

etc.

The Acamporas's picture

French Classes

Ok...please excuse me, I have been so busy lately that I seem to have missed all this and I am one of the ones who has been trying for months to get something going...The kids ( 7 - 8 kids in the 5-7age group) I have, the space I have, ( fair size home with large living room with large kitchen table size coffee table) what I didn't have and couldn't find is a teacher! So if one gets found at a 'good' rate (I too think that $25/kid, and most of us have more than one, is steep!) Me and, I feel safe to speak for, my group are in! My Home is open for good size groups also...I am in Montreal East (Langelier & Jean Talon) and am very interested!
As far as content goes...keeping it fun and playful through the summer is not a bad idea but looking to the fall to start something a little more structured and 'bookish'. What do you think?
Christine

Bea's picture

activities in French

I wish I could be there on April 14th to discuss that with you. (I'm still in Belgium, still planning on moving to Montreal end of June or beginning of July.)
I'm French myself (from France) but speak English to my daughter (Linnea, 2.5 years old) so I'd also really be interested in some kind of regular activity in French for her. Or, if there are enough English speaking homeschoolers we can hang out with on a regular basis, I might start speaking French to Linnea (if she's okay with that.)
Once I'm in Montreal and settled in a little bit, I think I might consider hosting a French activity playgroup. I briefly "taught" English to preschoolers in China 10 years ago, and that gave me a fairly good idea of how to do language activities with 3-5 year olds. And I know quite a few songs and activities we can do in French (and can look up more.)

sonya's picture

activities in French

I have a feeling that our attempt to organize "French classes" will end up being more of a French activity playgroup kind of thing. Especially given the ages and levels of the people who have so far shown interest. I'm glad to hear that you want to participate, and even to host such an activity!

Kim O.Brien's picture

our survey

Since Aidan and Lucas are pre-reading and pre-writing, I'd definitely be interested in something that is taught conversationally with games, songs, activities, crafts. I just want to get them exposed to the sounds on a regular basis to get their ears tuned in. Learning the basics, like colors and numbers, but also learning how to say basic things like "Je m'appelle" and "Qu'est-ce que c'est?" so their mouths can learn to pronounce french (they already love yelling out "Arret!" every time we come to a stop sign). No preference for certified teacher vs. regular francophone, as long as they are willing to enunciate so the kids can grasp the proper pronunciation and they have some kind of game plan so the kids can build on what they've already learned. Immersion-style would probably be most effective. I'm intrigued by the idea of a bilingual playgroup--for my sake too--but I don't know how effective it would be without any foundation of conversational french and without some sort of structured guideline. Maybe games/lessons with some francophone kids so they can also help "teach?" I personally like signing up for something for a certain amount of weeks, but probably because I am leaning toward a more structured approach--at least in the beginning. As for cost? Throw some numbers out and I'd be better at giving feedback.

Hope this helps.

Kim O'Brien (new from Phoenix)

sonya's picture

your survey

Thanks Kim! I think you make some really good points. We'll see what other people have to say and take it from there...

Sonya

Gillian's picture

French Classes

re: a place to meet for future classes, if it turns out that our house is central enough for everyone, we'd be happy to have the sessions here. We're on Victoria Ave between Queen Mary and The Boulevard.

Gillian

Wendi Hadd's picture

French classes

I find this to be very expensive. I understand that teaching one child for two hours is certainly worth 25$ which is 12.50 and hour but I would expect that a group would get some sort of discounted group rate--I just can't imagine paying someone 125$ an hour.

sonya's picture

French classes

This is the rate of the only teacher I have be been in touch with. There was some talk of room to negotiate depending on things like how far she would have to travel and if we had our own space.

I'm sure there are many other teachers out there, (or just French speakers who can teach French). Everyone keep your eyes out and let us know!

Bea's picture

What age are the kids?

How old are the kids participating in the classes going to be? Are those going to be formal classes, or more game oriented?

sonya's picture

What age are the kids?

It can be whatever we want/need it to be!

sagedemone's picture

Quel magnifique projet!

Sandra,maman de Jakob 5 ans et demi Je ne parle pas très bien anglais alors j'ose vous répondre en français(désolée!)mais je crois avoir comprit l'essentiel de votre projet et je trouve que c'est une merveilleuse idée.Je ne sais pas trop ce qu'il est en devenu de manière plus concrète,mais je serais TRÈS interessée a faire des activités(avec mon fils Jakob de 5 ans et francophone)et vos enfants anglophones!A mon avis,je crois qu'en animant nos rencontres en français et anglais et en les laissant socialiser naturellement,ce serait déja un bon début!Donnez-moi des nouvelles des développements!Merci!Sandra