This document discusses foreign language teaching in primary schools in France. [1] It notes that foreign language instruction has been compulsory since 2001, follows a national curriculum, and is based on the European Common Framework of Reference. [2] It provides details on language skills at level A1, when languages are introduced in primary school, and how they are taught through games, songs, and authentic materials. [3] Challenges include teacher language levels and training, as well as respecting timetables, but solutions involve training sessions and validating A1 proficiency.

1. France
Jacqueline Sacareau
Primary school teacher adviser
& trainer
Haute-Garonne

2. Foreign Languages teaching
Primary schools
 Compulsory since 2001
 National curriculum
 European common frame
 Level A1

3. LEVEL A1
Can understand and use familiar everyday
expressions and very basic phrases aimed at
the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
Can introduce him/herself and others and can
ask and answer questions about personal
details such as where he/she lives, people
he/she knows and things he/she has. Can
interact in a simple way provided the other
person talks slowly and clearly and is
prepared to help.

4. Listening:
A1
I can recognise familiar words and very
basic phrases concerning myself, my
family and immediate concrete
surroundings when people speak slowly
and clearly.

5. Reading
A1
I can understand familiar names, words
and very simple sentences, for example
on notices and posters or in catalogues.

6. Spoken interaction
A1
I can interact in a simple way provided the
other person is prepared to repeat or
rephrase things at a slower rate of speech
and help me formulate what I'm trying to
say. I can ask and answer simple
questions in areas of immediate need or
on very familiar topics.

7. Spoken production
A1
I can use simple phrases and sentences to
describe where I live and people I know.

8. Writing
A1
I can write a short, simple postcard, for
example sending holiday greetings. I can
fill in forms with personal details, for
example entering my name, nationality
and address on a hotel registration form.

9. Foreign language teaching
Primary school
 Nursery school ( 3 years)
Not compulsory
 Elementary school ( 5 years : CP, CE1,
CE2, CM1, CM2)
Compulsory from CE1 ( 1h30/week - 54
hours/year)

10. How we teach a foreign language
 Using target language only
 Using Flash cards, Songs, Rhymes,
Games, TPR, Children books, Computers,
Authentic material, Pairwork….

11. Steps
 Only oral in nursery schools and 2 first
years of primary school ( cycles 1
&2)
 Progressively introducing the written part
in cycle 3 ( CE2, CM1 & CM2)
Word games, crosswords,
right/wrong, simple, easy exercices,
sounds/written form…..

12. French for foreigners
 Nursery school : no special class, learning the
natural way with others
 Primary school : special classes (CLIN/ classe
d’initiation) the purpose is the fast integration in
normal classes for non french speaking children
who are in intensive learning situation. Can
progressively go for some lessons in the regular
class till complete integration

13. Problems
 Teachers language level
 Training for teachers
 Respect of the timetable
Solutions
Comenius training sessions, Self
training
Teaching training sessions
Compulsory to validate A1 level