French is considered one of the most valuable languages in the world. However, teaching it to kids without a strategized plan can complicate this process. Teaching a foreign language to kids can help develop their cognitive and critical thinking skills. As a result, many parents hire tutors for kids so that they can diversify their skills by learning a new language. How can you structure your French lessons for your kids? Many tips include starting with the alphabet and numbers, moving on to French grammar, keeping things simple, teaching one concept at a time, using fun and interactive methods, introducing them to French culture and encourage simple conversation!
Learning French is not just learning a different way to speak, but a different way to think.
Flora Lewis, American journalist
How to Teach French Lessons to Kids?
No tutor jobs are practical without the optimal teaching method. Great tutors for kids know how to teach, regardless of their academic rankings. They will not be able to impart knowledge unless their teaching methods are precisely planned and executed.
It would not matter if you are a high school tutor or an elementary one; the process is relatively simple and effective for every age group. Check out this list to understand how to teach students systematically:
💡 Tip #1
Start by teaching the alphabet and numbers
💡 Tip #2
Introduce them to simple vocabulary and introductory sentences
Include French in conversations
💡 Tip #3
Move on to grammar use
💡 Tip #4
Keep things simple by teaching one thing at a time
Structure your teaching methods according to the age group of your students
💡 Tip #5
Make your teaching interesting
Use French videos, movies, audiobooks and songs
💡 Tip #6
Introduce them to French culture
Assign them activities as homework
💡 Tip #7
Keep a track record of their progress
Start with the Alphabet and Numbers
In English tutoring, alphabets and numbers are taught in the initial stages. Similarly, the first step in tutoring French should be making the students familiar with the French alphabet and numbers. They are not only simple to teach, but they also comprise the basics of any language. Without acknowledging them, one can face trouble with structuring sentences.
Learning French alphabets and numbers will allow the students to independently structure little words and sentences. Therefore, this is a crucial step in teaching French to kids. It cannot be skipped, as it can directly influence their learning of advanced French.
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Introduce Simple French Vocabulary and Introductory Sentences
After students have gained familiarity with French alphabets and numbers, the next step should be introducing them to French vocabulary. Initially, start with primary yet straightforward vocabulary that is easier for them to interpret. For instance, you can teach them the names of different foods and animals in French.
Then, give them a reference of multiple French places and monuments to add to their French vocabulary. Employ the same rule for sentences. In this regard, you can teach them introductory sentences, like instructing them how to introduce themselves in French or how to greet people. Rather than teaching them advanced literary French directly, it is better to start by tutoring them on specific conversational topics.
Teach Kids About Proper Usage Of French Grammar
After the kids get used to French alphabets, vocabulary and simple sentences, it is time to introduce them to French grammar. Ensure to include this step after they have learned how to make simple French sentences. Otherwise, things might get too confusing and complicated for them.
In grammar, introduce them to nouns and verbs first. Since they understand introductory sentences, it will be easier to process these grammar rules. After that, you can also introduce adjectives and prepositions to them. Still, keep the grammar pretty basic. Once they get familiar with advanced French sentences, you can include secondary grammar in their lessons.
French grammar has 17 verb tenses, but most everyday conversations only use about 5 of them! So while learning French grammar may seem overwhelming, kids can start with the basics and still communicate effectively in French.
Keep Things Simple
The best tutors for kids do not complicate things and make teaching difficult things simple. After all, your students will learn the French language the way you teach them. If you use rigorous and complex methods to teach French lessons, it will become challenging for kids to adopt them.
So, the best thing is to keep things straightforward rather than complicating them. Use standard references and lightweight material to make them learn a language. It is important to understand that language is not a subject; it is a lifestyle. Thus, you don’t need to make pupils memorize it. It would be best to focus on adopting and living the language instead.
Additional Tip: Teach One Thing At A Time
Don’t introduce them to several French concepts at the same time. Many high school tutors teaching French make the mistake of simultaneously teaching multiple fragments of the language. They consider that high school students have higher memorizing skills to handle more things at a time. That is why they indulge in teaching them the French language and the French accent, both at once.
Now, it might be true that high schoolers can learn multiple things simultaneously. However, as mentioned earlier, you aren’t required to make the student memorize the language. Instead, make them adopt it. Therefore, take baby steps while tutoring a foreign language like French, teaching one thing at a time, especially when teaching kids.
Learn How To Make Teaching French A Fun Experience
If you want to learn how to become a tutor for teaching French, you will be required to consider how not to make your lessons boring. If the lesson happens to be boring, it will ultimately result in losing students’ interest. And, if they aren’t interested, no matter how effective the methods you use, it will prove to be impactless.
Use Interactive Learning Tools
- To engage kids and enhance their French learning experience, incorporate interactive learning tools into your lessons.
- Apps, online games and quizzes are excellent resources that make learning fun and interactive.
- These tools allow students to practice vocabulary, pronunciation and even grammar in a fun environment.
- You can create a game where kids match French words with their English words or complete a sentence with the correct word.
- These interactive learning tools not only support lesson retention, but also allow students to engage with French outside of formal lessons, helping them practice at their own pace!
Introduce Them to French Culture
To make French tutor jobs exciting and compelling, many professional teachers take the aid of French culture. After all, language and culture have always been pretty close to each other. That is why many language teachers use referencing cultures to attract students’ interest in the subject.
In addition, introducing the culture of the place whose language you are teaching can be impactful. Make them familiar with the beautiful yet surprising facts about it so that they can get interested in the place, its values, and thus, its language. This step will play a crucial role in keeping students engaged and interested in learning French.
Cultural Immersion Through Storytelling and Role Play
- Introduce cultural immersion through storytelling and role play! Kids will engage more with the language when they understand the story behind it.
- Create scenarios where students can role-play French-speaking situations, like ordering cookies at a pastry shop or shopping for fruits and vegetables.
- Additionally, you may tell stories in French by using simple language and illustrations.
- All of these activities help students internalize language through context, making the learning process both fun and educational.
- By making the language come alive through cultural context, students can better understand its nuances and become more confident in their ability to speak French!
Enhancing French Learning with Videos, Songs and Total Physical Response (TPR)
Combining French videos, songs and Total Physical Response (TPR) creates an engaging and effective learning experience for kids. These tools reinforce vocabulary, pronunciation and comprehension by integrating sight, sound and movement.
Role-playing movie scenes or singing along song lyrics further solidifies learning. By actively engaging with the language, kids absorb French naturally, making lessons fun interactive and memorable.
Videos and movies expose children to authentic speech and cultural context, making French more relatable. Animated shows like Caillou and songs like Frère Jacques help reinforce pronunciation and rhythm. When paired with TPR, these materials become even more powerful! Kids can physically act out commands like “Saute” (Jump) or “Lève la main” (Raise your hand), linking movement with language for better retention. Start with Frère Jacques today with this YouTube video!
Recommend French AudioBooks
Suggesting audiobooks to kids is another effective method of making them learn French. Furthermore, teachers doing remote tutoring jobs can recommend suitable French audiobooks to students. Audiobooks can make the students adopt the French language.
By doing so, they will understand French better and get fluent in it faster, too. For adolescents, you can suggest fairytale books. Conversely, using teaching methods suited for children if you are a high school tutor can result in the loss of interest for students. For them, consider age-appropriate fiction. Here's a great audiobook on Spotify!
Include French in Daily Conversations
The best way to make someone adopt a new language is to expose them to that language via conversation. For example, you can talk with your students in French, which subsequently accelerates the learning process. Start by talking with them using short sentences or even words, like greeting them in French saying ‘Bonjour.’ This will help them practice and employ the language outside the classroom.
In this way, they can get comfortable with the French language and adopt it better. Teachers doing remote tutoring jobs can also plan a conversation day, where the teachers and students can interact with each other using the French language. You can even suggest their parents talk to them using the French language. Again, normalizing speaking French will help them with their fluency and dialect.
Nail the Right Teaching Strategy for Kids
Remember that you will have to improvize your teaching style differently for in-person or remote tutoring jobs. Many institutions and people opt for remote learning because of its convenience. However, it is quite a challenging method for teachers since they have to keep students engaged.
The biggest problem associated with remote teaching is that students lose interest quickly. and learning a language like French, investing one’s interest is key. Thus, you would be required to use exciting and interactive methods to keep pupils engaged. Moreover, tutors for kids have to be even more conscious since teaching adolescents online is no less than a struggle.
Hire the Best French Tutors for Your Kids with Superprof
This article explored some of the best teaching methods for elementary teachers and high school tutors that teach French to children and teenagers. But, it is vital to make a systematic teaching plan to make the process smoother. Alongside that, the city you’re in will also have varying degrees of quality in French education. If you want to get the best French lessons for your kids, head over to Superprof for the most experienced tutors in town.
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