Families London SW Mar-Apr 2020

Bilingualism
French-English cultural
bilingualism from an early age
Families asked L’école des Petits, in Fulham, how they
achieve teaching in two languages in their school:
“Founded in 1977, our bilingual schools teach
the French curriculum integrated with the best
parts of the British curriculum. This structure is
approved by the French Department for
Education and subject to DfE Ofsted
inspections (consistently awarded
“Outstanding” on both sites).
Our school community is very diverse with
pupils coming from a vast array of linguistic
backgrounds. Early bilingualism and a strong
awareness and open-mindedness towards
world culture turn our pupils into motivated,
curious and respectful citizens.
Our aim is for them all to reach perfect oral
fluency in both French and English by the age
of 6. They can then acquire solid reading and
writing skills with us until they turn 11 and
move on.
Now in its sixth year, Les Petits Choux runs
French lessons for children at the Aspire
Centre, Merton Road, SW18 4SS. Whether your
“petit chou” is a complete beginner or a fluent
bilingual, there will be a class to suit them.
For each pupil, focus will be put on the
“weakest” language to strengthen it in
order to achieve a balanced level of
proficiency. Classes are taught by
native speakers of both
languages, assisted by native
speaking assistants. Correct
use of the language is
encouraged throughout the
day, even at informal times.
Mastering both languages is
achieved through academic teaching
as well as a combination of arts, music and
sports classes which are an integral part of the
curriculum. Pupils are constantly exposed to
both languages as class swaps and rotating
science, ICT and sports workshops are held
intra- or inter-level.
We are rightfully
known as the most
British of the
French schools!
learners playing games, reading stories, doing
arts and crafts, and singing songs, and much
more, all in French. On Wednesdays there are
two bilingual classes from 4–5pm and a
beginners’ class from 4–4.45pm.
After-school clubs ranging from yoga to
football, as well as science, art and drama also
expose pupils to both languages.
Beyond our education ethos governed by
the strict discipline required for bilingual
teaching (i.e: each native speaker will always
and only speak their own language
whichever of the two they may be
addressed in by their pupils), our
schools offer a perfect combination of
the French and British Education
systems. Uniforms and schoolbags are
our most visible British touch, while
houses and bilingual assemblies are part
of the structure. Our school’s assembly song
is a testament to our truly bilingual cultural
identity: it has been written in both languages
using pupils’ own words about their favourite
activities at school.”
www.lecoledespetits.co.uk
L’école des Petits
Les Petits Choux – fun French
lessons for children in Southfields
children can also work on their reading and
writing skills in their “cahier maternelle”.
Email now to book your child’s place:
info@lespetitschoux.org.uk
After school on Wednesdays and on Saturday
mornings, the well-equipped classrooms at the
Aspire Centre are alive with the sounds of little
On Saturday morning, there is the chance for
your child to do a bilingual “intensif” class from
10–11.30am. This longer class means bilingual
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FamiliesSWLondon
March/April 2020 • Families South West 23