As a parent of a child in French Immersion, you might feel a bit overwhelmed, especially if you don't speak French yourself. How can you support your child’s learning at home when you’re unfamiliar with the language? Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to prioritize French learning and reading at home, even if you're not fluent in French. With a positive approach and a few key tips, you can help your child thrive in their French Immersion program.
1. Create a French-Friendly Environment at Home
You don’t need to speak French to create a French-friendly home environment. Here are a few ways to immerse your child in the language:
● Label items around the house: Place sticky notes on common household items with their names in French (e.g., "la porte" for door, "la table" for table). This helps your child practice vocabulary in a practical setting.
● Use French media: Play French music, watch French cartoons, or listen to French audiobooks together. Even if you don’t understand everything, it exposes your child to pronunciation, rhythm, and vocabulary.
● Display French resources: Hang posters, charts, or maps in French where your child can see them. These visual cues reinforce vocabulary and concepts learned at school.
2. Support Reading in French
Reading is key to language acquisition, and you can support your child's French reading even if you're not proficient in the language.
● Read with your child: If your child brings home French books, sit down together and go through the pages. Let them read aloud, and offer encouragement. It’s okay if you don’t understand every word—your presence and support make a big difference.
● Use audio support: Many books come with accompanying audio versions. You can play these while your child reads along, helping them match the words they see with the sounds they hear.
● Explore dual-language books: Books that offer both French and English text side by side can be a great tool. This way, your child can read the French text, and you can check the English translation to follow along.
3. Encourage Speaking and Listening
Even if you're not a fluent French speaker, you can still engage in simple conversations and encourage your child to practice speaking and listening in French.
● Ask simple questions: Use basic French phrases like “Comment ça va ?” (How are you?) or “Qu’est-ce que c’est ?” (What is this?) to encourage your child to respond in French. These small interactions help them practice everyday conversation.
● Encourage self-explanation: When your child learns something new in French, ask them to explain it to you. This helps reinforce their understanding and builds confidence. Even if you don’t understand, show interest and praise their efforts.
Check out our tutoring in-person and online tutoring options at www.FrenchForLife.com.
Mme Michelle is an Instructional Resource Teacher in St. John’s, Newfoundland and is passionate about helping students with diverse needs thrive at school and in the real world. She started French For Life in 2012 with the goal of helping French Immersion students get the support they need to become bilingual, despite academic challenges. Interested in learning more about French For Life virtual or in-person tutoring? Contact michelle@frenchforlife.com.
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