WHAT TO DO IN LONDON THIS SUMMER
Want to boost your kid’s French language skills without leaving London? This summer sees the launch of a new French immersion day camp: Et Patati et Patata. Run weekdays from 9 to 3 at St Andrew’s Church and Star Centre in Fulham, the club includes themed weeks such as “J’aime la nature!” (Wild and Green week) and “Les petits archéologues” (Archaeology for Kids), led by founder Caroline Eugenie. A French native, Caroline has taught children from 3 to 10 years old in France, and also teaches the French immersion programme at Twice Times Nursery Fulham. She tells WLM about her new camp.
What is Et Patati et Patata, and what does the name mean?
Et Patati et Patata means “blah blah blah”! It is an immersion program for second-language French with a wide range of fun and creative activities tailored on the program of French schools. Language is taught through stories, songs, visits and workshops.
What inspired you to start the day camp?
First, as a primary French teacher des écoles francaises de l’Académie de Paris (professeur des Ecoles), I wanted to bring the “savoir-faire” of our French maternelle (toute petite section, petite section…) to English children learning French as a second language. Maternelle in France is a European exception and we have a tailored, structured academic programme for “les tout-petits” (from 2 years old).
Secondly, English families like their children learning a language during summer but staying near them at the same time. With the French immersion programme in London, it is possible, as we only speak French. Children will receive a French 30 hours immersion certificate!
What sorts of activities will take place at the camp?
Children will explore the sounds, flavours, customs and culture through French rhythms, French cooking (les macarons, de delicieux petits gateaux), and the basis of an academic French maternelle, which only exists in France: counting, ritual, French reading, letters, and so on. The programme is internationally recognized.
Why learn French, and why use the immersion method?
The government recently announced that the teaching of a foreign language will be compulsory from the age of 7, so learning French with Et Patati et Patata prepares children for learning a second language in school. Children attending the French immersion programme will be prepared for the French schools, the bilingual and international schools and they will be advanced in their curriculum.
Where languages are taught in schools, the standard is just one 40-minute French lesson a week, which means progress is slow. Research also suggests that being taught a foreign language can help to improve conversation skills and literacy in English, as well as benefit study in other subjects.
Finally, learning another language is good for young children and it will give them more options in education and work. Studies show that the best age to learn a language are the first five years of life!
Et Patati et Patata runs from 7th July through 29th August, with two age groups, 4 to 6 years old and 7 to 10 years old. For more information, visit the website or contact Caroline Eugenie at caroline@etpatatipatata.com.
