efachicago

In a globalized world, where mobility is eased, learning a language is a wonderful benefit. Not only does it help when wandering, it is also a great advantage for studying in general and for career prospects abroad. Acquiring a second language allows us to develop numerous mental facilities at all ages. 1. Boosts Brain Power A foreign language is a whole new complicated system of rules, structures, and lexis. Learning a new language means your brain has to manage with complexity as it makes sense of and absorbs new patterns. As our brains work out the meaning, endeavoring to communicate, we progress key learning skills such as cognitive thinking and problem-solving. Extremely developed critical thinking skills are an important benefit both personally and professionally. 2. Enhances the Ability to Multi-Task Multi-tasking is very traumatic for those who are not used to it or don’t do it well. According to a study from the Chicago State University, people who are multi...

Lower School Curriculum The French School in Chicago delivers a comprehensive academic program of reading, writing, language, math, history, and science in English and French. The table below outlines the structure of the program. It consists of three distinct Cycles. The bilingual journey begins in Maternelle. Children enter at Pre-K3, Pre-K4 or Kindergarten. Firstly, children advantage from classes that are conducted in French 80% of the time. After second grade we switch to almost 55% French and 45% English in order to capitalize on the “transfer of competencies” between the two languages. Why French? French is spoken by over 220 million people on five continents in 80 states and governments. Although more people speak Chinese, Hindi, Spanish and Arabic, French is spoken in more countries – over a greater geographical area– than any of these, making French second only to English as a global language. French is also an official language of NATO, INTERPOL,...