After years of trying to get a French immersion program in Montclair’s public schools and hitting too many roadblocks, a group of parents decided to take the matter into their own hands. They created a private alternative, the Montclair Pre-K to 8th Grade French Program, which allows kids to learn the language in classes that take place before the school day begins or after it ends.
Last year, in its inaugural year, the before-school French program at FIAF (also known as French Institute/Alliance Francaise), went so well – it started with 24 students and ended the year with 23 – that this year it has expanded.
Even better, the classes are very reasonably priced at $10 a class.
“Even though it is not part of the public school system, we started it with the view to making it accessible to all Montclair public school children,” said Alessandra DeBlasio, one of the parent founders of the program. “We wanted to obtain the lowest possible cost per child, and offer the possibility of a lower fee for those who could not otherwise afford the class.”
DeBlasio added this year, they hope to interest some local philanthropists in donating to the program (FIAF is a non-profit and will direct donations strictly to the program) “so that children of need can attend free and, ultimately, those who are able to pay may have the opportunity to attend without tuition, to truly approximate an extension of their public school education,” she says.
For pre-K to fifth grade students, classes are held daily from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The middle school students (6th, 7th and 8th grade) meet Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The class schedule follows the Montclair school calendar. District busing or carpooling options are being organized by parents.
The program meets standards set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, which was a recommendation by the school district’s World Language Roundtable Committee. A French option for Montclair K-5 students was also a recommendation by the District’s committee.
Tomorrow night, at 6:30 p.m., the program is holding an “Information Night” for parents looking for an academic alternative to before or after care, or who simply want their child to learn a foreign language through immersion. The information session will be held at 7 North Willow Street, Suite 7, where the classes are also held.
Organizers say the program is likely to grow to more than 40 students this school year.
For more information email mtclanguages@gmail.com or call 973.951.5997.
French???? C’mon. What is this, 1963? No, it’s 2015, the flavor of the month language is Chinese.
Without Chinese our kids will fall behind the world!!! Just like we did when I was told to learn Russian, then Japanese. But wait, with the Chinese economy stumbling perhaps it IS TIME to learn French.
Hell, at least the little prof knows folks who speak French so this might be a great chance to learn a language he’ll use. Unlike Chinese.
But hey, I’m old school and think the only languages needed around here are English and Spanish. The rest are just parlor tricks: “Hey everyone, the prof knows Chinese– say something in Chinese, prof…”
If there was a SIAS or MIAM in Montclair, I’m sure parents would partner to offer Spanish and Mandarin in addition to French (FIAF).
French is projected to be the No. 1 world language by 2050. Mainly because French is the official language in 29 countries, many in Africa where growth is on the rise.
Two key points:
1) The younger the student the better for learning a second language. And, if you learn a second language, a third and fourth language comes much easier.
2) learning a second language takes time and frequency of classes.
Other than the Montclair Community Pre-K Spanish immersion classrooms, this French offering is the only Montclair program that delivers on those facts.
Though the school district is trying to improve the foreign language program, most K-5 students only get 20 to 40 minutes a week of Spanish. Haven’t read any reports that say that a little Spanish will get results.