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16 | January 23, 2020 | 22nd century media private school guide
22ndCenturyMedia.com
French School in Winnetka: Understanding immersion education
At the French School, we know that
parents want to make the best educational
choices for their child and options
are numerous at this first stage of formal
education.
Students at the French School enjoy all
of the positive, nurturing and foundational
aspects of traditional preschool while naturally
acquiring a second language. Communication
in a second language is only one
of many benefits afforded to children who
begin French immersion education at an
early age.
Academic and cognitive benefits include
increased attention span, higher standardized
test scores and better ability to hypothesize
and problem solve. Learning French
from an early age promotes cultural awareness
and understanding, connecting more
than 270 million French speakers worldwide.
Learning another language improves
executive function in children and enhances
comprehension in all subjects, increasing
overall success from elementary school
through college.
Children have an extraordinary ability to
acquire and retain language. Their spongelike
brains are hardwired to learn several
languages at once. Based on research, the
critical period for acquiring language
naturally only lasts until about age 6.
Just as you learned to speak English, acquiring
a foreign language requires frequent
exposure and practice. Preschool immersion
programs work because they offer the
most effective way to learn a foreign language.
Unlike traditional second language
instruction in which students are taught the
language, immersion education uses the target
language as the vehicle for instruction
and communication.
From snack to story time, preschoolers
are continuously exposed to the language,
developing their skills effortlessly.
Whether painting, having lunch, playing
or baking a cake, preschoolers in immersion
programs are exposed to a variety of settings
accompanied by fun, age-appropriate activities.
These experiences internalize language
and create natural links to new vocabulary.
When taught by native speakers, children
attending immersion schools seamlessly
adopt native accents as they have a remarkable
ability to imitate sounds. Children
never tire of singing their favorite songs or
listening to beloved stories – repetition that
is critical for true language mastery.
Their native-like fluency opens doors
for future educational opportunities, potential
job prospects, higher earnings, and
an international lifestyle.
The French School is the only immersion
preschool located in the North Shore.
Small class sizes, combined with caring
and experienced teachers, provide the individualized
attention necessary for preschoolers
to take risks, explore and make
new discoveries.
The French School creates a warm and
nurturing environment for children as early
as age 2 and follows the renowned and
comprehensive French National Curriculum.
At the French School, we prepare
children to be tomorrow’s global citizens.
For more about immersion education,
visit www.FrenchSchoolWinnetka.com.
We invite you to come to the French
School in Winnetka and seen for yourself
how fun and rewarding it is for children to
speak French!
Submitted by the French Institute, 562 Green
Bay Road, Winnetka; (847) 501-5800;
frenchinstitutens.com.
Cultivating
Character
Education can be more than academics.
We strive to develop the character skills
students need for success in the classroom
and beyond their school years. At
Countryside we have moved beyond the
goal of great students; we have our sight
set on exceptional adults.
Call or visit us online to schedule
a tour to learn how we bring learning
to life, and life to learning.
1985 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, IL 60062
847-498-1105 I www.countrysideday.org
where learning meets life
Join us for an
Open House
on February 3
Please RSVP to
karen@countrysideday.org
16 mos to
8th grade