Pictures, songs, drama, games included in the French Immersion class at one Caddo elementary

Madame Marie's songs, flash cards and popsicle stick puppets keep her French Immersion kindergarten students engaged while learning and using a new language in math, science, social studies and French.   

The new program at Fairfield Elementary Magnet School began with the 2023-24 school year.  The group will stay together in classes until they leave the elementary school.

Immersion is a second language learning program designed to develop "linguistic competency in a foreign language as well as mastery of the English language. Immersion helps develop the skills that are necessary for individuals to become responsible future citizens contributing to the economic, social, and cultural life in the state of Louisiana," according to the Fairfield Elementary website. 

Julia Shruggs, the foreign language supervisor, also helped put this together for Fairfield elementary to have a French immersion.

“The state of Louisiana has a lot of immersion schools but never in North Louisiana so we wanted to spread it out here, we’ve worked with a lot of sponsors and teachers to help get more of it here and in schools.” Shruggs stated.

In class, the students have two teachers. One for English and one for French. The day is split in half. The first half of the day they learn all of their curriculum in French. This includes math, science, social studies, and French. The second part of the day they do everything else in English: Arts, RTI, PE, library and English. The day is split in half giving the students a balance for learning things in both English and French. Madame Marie likes to make sure her lessons are very engaging and conversational. She uses strategies like pictures, songs, drama, body language, and games. A lot of these methods help the children be more involved and engaging with learning the language.

The class French teacher is from France. Her name is Marie Pennecot, but the students call her Madame Marie. The global studies French Immersion coordinator, Amy Williams, helped find Madame Marie for the class.

"We are really lucky to have her, she has been amazing, and the kids really do love her, we are grateful.” Williams said."

Madame Marie taught the French language in many places including Mexico and Spain. She also taught adults. But she said teaching children is her favorite. Especially kindergarteners. Madame Marie likes to make sure her lessons are very engaging and conversional.

"I try to engage the children as much as possible, give a lot of the direction in French, we learn a lot of songs and use a lot of flash cards. I started using puppets on popsicle sticks because I like them to learn by acting out things. I try to do a lot of things that won’t make them bored." Madame Marie said.

She uses strategies like pictures, songs, games, drama, body language, and games. A lot of these methods help the children be more involved and engaging with learning the language. The students enjoy the advantage of two teachers in the classroom.

With the students learning this at such a young age, they will be able to have a full conversation in French by the end of their first-grade year. They won't likely be fully grammatical but will be able to have full conversation and comprehend in French. 

All of these students in this French immersion class will continue with each other all the way to 5th grade still being able to learn the language. When they get into middle school, they will be able to make a decision if they would like to continue the French language or move on to learning another language.

French immersion has been in Louisiana for thirty years but it's been more prevalent in the southern parts of the state. But now with Fairfield Elementary's program, it's making its way up North.