Children are learning to say “bonjour” to new linguistic skills as part of a popular French language program at MercyCare’s Early Learning Centre in Wembley.
The French classes, which run on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, are completely full with about 30 young Francophiles enrolled this year.
Vicky Murray, Manager of the MercyCare Early Learning Centre at Wembley, said the centre had offered French language classes for about seven years as an optional enrolment for parents who would like their children to develop their linguistic skills in a second (or, in some cases, third) language.
“It’s quite a unique concept teaching other languages in an Early Learning Centre. The children are like sponges so they are very receptive to learning other languages at a young age, and they absolutely love it,” she said.
“Parent feedback has been really positive, and we’ve found that enrolments have grown organically through parents’ word of mouth.
“For the younger children, it tends to be shorter ten-minute sessions; for example, they will sing little French songs. For the older children, it’s a proper lesson, teaching them colours and numbers and the words for things and objects in the world around them.”
The children are led by teacher Sabine Desmond who was born in Paris and has lived in Australia for about ten years.
She uses art and craft activities and singing to teach the French classes, and the children get a little take-home sheet at the end of each lesson to show their parents what they’ve learned and to help them practise words at home.
MercyCare is one of only a few childcare providers in WA to offer language classes for children, but the organisation is not resting on its laurels, with plans to introduce Italian and Japanese classes in the future.
Mrs Murray said the language classes were just one aspect contributing to the success of the MercyCare Early Learning Centre, Wembley, which was recognised as one of WA’s best managed childcare centres by the State Government last year.
It was one of 86 childcare centres in WA to receive an ‘excellent’ or ‘exceeding’ rating by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.
The centre’s other programs include the popular Happy Feet fitness program which entertains, inspires and encourages children to make positive healthy choices for themselves, the world around them and in their relationships with others.
MercyCare is a leading Catholic provider of aged care, family, health and community services. For more information, visit www.mercycare.com.au.