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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to wonder if he will be too advanced when his class starts learning French?

236 replies

GoingLoopyLou · 29/06/2011 18:52

DS is 4 and has been having French lessons for the last six months through La Jolie Ronde, once a week for half an hour. He loves it and is doing really well.

He starts primary school in September and his school don't start teaching French until he is in Year 3.

I'm just a bit concerned that they will be being taught to say Bonjour and count to ten in French etc and he will have done that 4 years previously. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do?

OP posts:

Portofino · 29/06/2011 18:53

Why is he having french lessons? If they are going to do it school from year 3 then I would save my money.

Rhinestone · 29/06/2011 18:54

Ha ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha.

Or is this for real? You realise you're a tiger parent and your son will end up hating you don't you?!

meditrina · 29/06/2011 18:57

A competent teacher will differentiate the work, as they do in any other subject. My DCs have been in classes with both bilingual children and fluent French speakers. It's not uncommon to have a wide range of pre-existing knowledge.

BarkisIsWilling · 29/06/2011 18:57

They may well change to Spanish, like my children's school. They may have a different option for those who won't be taking that particular class, e.g. ICT. I wouldn't worry just yet.

ENormaSnob · 29/06/2011 18:57

Original poster

GoingLoopyLou · 29/06/2011 18:58

Because we thought it was good to learn a language and there was an opportunity in our village for him to do it easily and very reasonably so we thought he could try it to see if he likes it, and he does. It's all learnt through play at this stage, so he really does enjoy it.

Rhinestone - What's your problem? Why so funny? What the hell is a Tiger Parent? Thanks for the "your son will end up hating you" comment. You're pleasant aren't you?

OP posts:

bubbleymummy · 29/06/2011 18:59

GoingLoopy, I'm sure if you speak to the school other arrangements could be made - sitting in on a higher lesson or doing separate activities etc :) My DH's cousin came to the UK to sit A-levels and he speaks fluent French. He sailed through his exams and was actually helping other people in his class so I would say it's nice to be ahead! (as long as they aren't left bored!)

Ignore comments like those from Rhinestone. Many parents choose not to teach their child anything academic before school.

Original poster

GoingLoopyLou · 29/06/2011 19:01

Thanks Meditrina.

Bark - That's a really good point, my preference was actually Spanish but French still seems favoured generally, but yes that might change.

I guess, as well, he could have had enough of it in a year, and we'd by no means push him to continue, so by the time year 3 comes around he might be where everyone else is after all.

OP posts:

WillieWaggledagger · 29/06/2011 19:02

i lived in France when small and came back to UK halfway through primary able to speak fluent french. for french lessons the teacher used to set me more advanced stuff (we had an hour a week at primary), then at secondary I helped others and was encouraged to stretch myself. was fine

Original poster

GoingLoopyLou · 29/06/2011 19:02

Bubbley - Thank you. I did think that he might be struggling in another subject and it might be an opportunity for him to spend some time on that, but sure it's not quite as simple as that.

OP posts:

ihatecbeebies · 29/06/2011 19:03

Im sure they will just offer him some more advanced French in that case, or a different subject maybe? I've been teaching my DS some French too and he is the same age as your LO

That's a bit harsh Rhinestone....!

belgo · 29/06/2011 19:04

My mum taught me to count to ten in french and say bonjour , it didn't give me any advantage in french lessons beyond the first week.

PeterSpanswick · 29/06/2011 19:04

I had this problem when we studied English at school. I had already been speaking it for almost two years ffs! Somehow I pulled through..

Rhinestone · 29/06/2011 19:04

Er...I honestly thought your post was a joke! Sorry for any offence.

PeterSpanswick · 29/06/2011 19:04

worraliberty · 29/06/2011 19:06

I think it's the same as being 'advanced' in any subject OP...the Teacher will simply set ability appropriate work

Olivetti · 29/06/2011 19:06

I did extra work for French class because my parents had pushed me to learn a language and I was way ahead. I hated it, and felt left out when the others were learning from scratch, playing games etc. Just saying!

Portofino · 29/06/2011 19:07

I don't know why you are worrying about this now though. Anything could happen. It does smack a little of showing off. My dd (at a french speaking school) will presumably get offered English lessons at some point. I will worry about that when we get there. I would hope that she can a) do something else b) do her homework c) help the teacher but if the absolute worse happens I would expect very good marks

catgirl1976 · 29/06/2011 19:07

Not sure why someone would think your post was a joke

If the class is in your village is it likely that other children in his school will have done the class too so he will not be the only one?

I think the school will be able to set him slightly different work

hockeyforjockeys · 29/06/2011 19:07

In reality yes he will be ahead, and no he probably won't get work differentiated as if the teacher's langauge skills are anything like mine or my collegues we simply don't have the subject knowledge to do so. I have had native French speakers in my class, they become my 'assistants' when we have French. I do this as it is only for 30 mins a week plus for most of them it is the one subject they shine in as it doesn't matter what their ability is, they will be better than non-French speakers

belgo · 29/06/2011 19:08

at portofino!

catgirl1976 · 29/06/2011 19:09

Why would a school employ a french teacher with limited french language skills? Am by that?

Original poster

GoingLoopyLou · 29/06/2011 19:09

Olivetti - Thanks for that, that is exactly what I'm concerned about. To be honest I did think he would start to learn it a bit earlier at school, even if it was only half an hour a week or something. I just keep thinking he is going to have 3-4 years under his belt at this rate by the time they start learning it at school. But he genuinely loves it. I have in the past paid in advance for classes and stuff and he hasn't been bothered so I didn't force him to go and lost money in some cases, so please believe me when I say I'm not a pushy parent.

OP posts:

meditrina · 29/06/2011 19:09

One school used to have a lunchtime French Club for the bilingual/fluent/very advanced pupils (all ages together) - mainly songs, games and conversation.

It might be worth seeing if yours does this, or has a sufficient number of such good speakers to consider starting one.

worraliberty · 29/06/2011 19:14

GoingLoopy if he has 3-4 years under his belt, he may be considered SEN and as a result, the school (depending on their policy) may see he's put with the year 6 children for French.

It's worth actually asking the school this question no matter how hypothetical it is at the moment.

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