The ABEI Program: Curriculum

The pedagogical program is intended to be a comprehensive introduction to French and Francophone linguistics and cultures, adaptable to students from grade 3 to grade 6.

Students selected for the program benefit from 32 contact-hours a year (1 hour per week for 32 weeks) for 3 years.
The pedagogical contents target three major objectives to be achieved by students upon the completion of the program:

A. Basic proficiency in French language

Curriculum overview : Pronunciation, Grammar, Vocabulary, Syntax, Conjugations.

Teaching is conducted exclusively in French.
The approach is contextual. No formal presentation of the above-mentioned notions is given.

Emphasis is put on listening comprehension and speaking proficiency through use of repetition and transformation drills, games and songs.

B. Cultural awareness

Curriculum overview: General presentation of France and of the Francophone world, Cultural similarities and differences between France and USA: food habits, clothing, school system, typical daily schedule...

Presentations are conducted in English. There is one formal introduction early in the program.
Most of the curriculum is addressed through answering students' questions about documents provided or proposed activities.

C. Cultural outreach

Pen-pal exchange with French elementary schools, field trips to the Alliance Française or to francophone embassies in Washington, DC, theater, concerts, interactive workshops featuring French-speaking artists or celebrities, etc.