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„The boundaries of my world are governed by the boundaries of my speech“ (Ludwig Wittgenstein)

Speech means understanding, comprehension, communication
Speech means contact, sense of community and agreement
Speech opens the way to succesful living
Foreign languages the way of the world

Language is a tool through which we express and exchange thoughts, wishes and feelings. Lack of language at kindergarten leveldessinenfantsnationalitescan have an effect on all other aspects of life and learning. This is why the daily routine in the “Villa Kunterbunt” is organised in such a way that a variety of communicative skills are used. Hence we foster the understanding for language, vocabulary is broadened and verbal and non verbal expression are improved.

Being a child in today’s world means growing up in times of globalisation and in a multicultural Europe. Besides increased social requirements it is the communication with others that is a priority. In this context, varied language skills have become importamt tools.

In the “Villa Kunterbunt” one comes across children of different nationalities. It is our target to familiarise them in a most natural way with foreign languages and cultures. To discover language as a wonderful instrument, sounding different depending on the mother tongue of each child, is positive for the linguistic stimulation and strengthens their language skills.
In our kindergarten, we introduce the children to French as well as German.

French as second language:

bild_066In small, homogeneous groups (10 to 12 children), the younger children have 45 minutes, the preschool children 75 minutes of French lessons a week. A native French speaking educator fetches the children and brings them to the dedicated classroom on the first floor. We familiarise the children with the French language in a comprehensive way, adapted to their way of life and their age. This is done through reading stories, singing, looking at picture books, theatre plays, pantomime, dancing and rhythmic movements, as well as painting, handicrafts, cooking and baking.

Picture books and videos are put to use in a meaningful way. The activities are adjusted for the respective subjects and projects. We use the figure of a little bear, “le petit ours brun” in order to make the learning process suitable for children of that age. They are introduced to French habits and traditions to familiarise them with the French culture.

The following activities, which are conducted by our staff of native French speakers, broaden the adjustment to the French language:

  • Gymnastics
  • Free play time
  • Free play time in the garden
  • Discussion rounds
  • Wood and metalwork
  • Library
  • Closing circle
  • Breakfast/snack
  • Lunch
  • Maintenance work and gardening with our French caretaker

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We also arrange external activities in order to make contact with the French community:

  • Visits to local theatres
  • Joint performances of plays with the primary school children in the hall of the iDSP
  • “Matinée française” in the iDSP
  • “Guignol” (puupet show) in the Saint-Cloud Parc
  • Exchange visits with the Montessori-School located in the neighbourhood
  • Visits to the market and the bakery
  • “Prévention Routière” (road safety education for preschool children)
  • Outings in the neighbourhood (e.g. to the firestation)
  • Outings to Paris for the preschool children (museums, “Cité des enfants”)

German as second language/Promotion of the German language

dessinChildren who wish to learn German as a second language or for whom German is obviously the weaker language, are familiarised with it through immersion, also known as a “language bath”, in a playful, childlike and natural way.

This occurs without pressure or obligation. Your child is launched into a world where a lot of things take place in a different language. It learns unconsciously, it loses any shyness of the foreign language and the daily usage becomes natural. It is by living in an environment where the language is spoken that one learns it best. Through the choice of learning methods in our kindergarten. The children have many opportunities to hear, understand and later apply the German language. Furthermore, a weekly lesson, given by a native German, supports this “language bath”: reiterating words and sentences, listening to stories and repeating them in ones own words in small groups and in a playful way. To help this process, we look at picture books, incorporate role playing and finger games, sing and do other manual work.