Cette page contient des r�ponses aux questions communes des �tudiants et 
des parents.

1. Will my child succeed not having as much or no French prior to entering Sarah Smith?
2. My child complains of not understanding the Teacher.
3. How is my child's grade decided?
4. Why is it important for children to have a FLES program?
5. Why French?

Will my child succeed not having as much or no French prior to entering Sarah Smith?

Absolutely! Your child is now in a total immersion classroom and 
as long as he or she is an active listener it will all come together.
I constantly use gestures, manipulatives and music throughout the 
lessons.  We use a spiraled curriculum so year to year the basic 
10 is repeated. Having a positive attitude goes a long way! 

Tutoring is available on Wednesdays after school. I will recommend
this if I feel your child is trying but struggling.

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My child complains of not understanding the Teacher.

French is spoken throughout the entire class. Of course not every 
single word is comprehensible, but with frequent repetition and gesturing, 
things become easier and easier.

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How is my child's grade decided?

In Third Grade, the composition is as follows:
                         Participation 50%
                         Classwork     20%
                         Projects      20%
                         Quizzes       10%

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Why is it important for children to have a FLES program?

"Research has shown that young children learn languages more easily
and more quickly than older students, and proficiency in a language
and the culture(s) in which it is spoken can best be achieved when
second language study begins as early as possible."

"Starting young children early with the language just enhances the
ability to communicate in the language. We see they are not at all
afraid. They pick it up very quickly..."

"...It is more difficult to learn a foreign language after age ten
or so, and the language will probably be spoken with an accent. We
might say that learning a second language is not a window that
slams shut. It just becomes harder to open."

Children studying a 2nd language can achieve higher standardized
test scores in reading, math, and language arts.

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Why French?

Some 30% of English vocabulary comes from French.

French is the second most frequently used language of the Internet.

French is the second most frequently taught foreign language in 
the world.

French is an official language and a working language of the 
Olympic Games and the United Nations.

French is the official language of 30 countries and is widely
spoken in at least 10 others.

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