French as as Foreign Language - Austin International School

French as a Foreign Language

French as a Foreign Language is offered in Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 in two distinct forms, each designed to meet students where they are on their language acquisition journey and support their transition into our school community.

FLE - Cycle 2 (CP - CE2)	FLA - Cycle 3 (CM1 - CM2)
Standalone class · 1-year program	Push-in & pull-out model · 2-year program
Ms. Claudine & Ms. Lucie L. (Math)	Ms. Claire

By the end of the first year at AIS, students in FLE & FLA will reach A1 level:

Listening	I can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases about myself, my family, and my everyday environment when people speak slowly and clearly.
Speaking	I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.
Reading	I can understand familiar names, words, and very simple sentences, for example on notices, posters, or in catalogs.
Writing	I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. I can fill in forms with personal details such as my name, nationality, and address.
Interacting	I can interact in a simple way when the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower pace. I can ask and answer simple questions on very familiar topics.

Dr. Claudine Escobar Durand

FLE, MYP French Language Acquisition Teacher
& MYP Coordinator

Claire Chaney-Bergeron

FLA Cycle 3 & French Academic Support
& Transition teacher

FLE - Français Langue Etrangère - Cycle 2: Grade 1 (CP), 2 (CE1), and 3 (CE2)

FLE 1 is a standalone class for Cycle 2 students who are new to French. It is a dedicated one-year program designed to give students the language foundation they need to join their grade-level class the following year.

How it works:

Students are in their own FLE 1 class during homeroom French instruction time.
They join their homeroom peers in French homeroom class for PE, Art, Music, and also in English, and Spanish classes.
Grade 3 (CE2) students will participate in bilingual math, seamless class, and QLM (Questionner le monde/science and social studies) with their grade-level peers within the first semester.
This is a one-year program. At the end of the year, students transition into their homeroom class, with FAST (French Accelerated Support & Transition) support available as needed. Note: Fast support is provided to all students who need additional support as they progress through AIS’ program.

Language Goals:
All five skills of the A1 level are practiced every week in FLE class, with students working toward the A1 level by the end of their first year.

Program Phases:

Exposure (August – October)
Consolidation (October – March)
Production (March – June)

Teachers:
Ms. Claudine and Ms. Lucie L. (for math)

For further information, please contact Ms. Claudine at claudine.escobar@austininternationalschool.org.

FLA - French Language Acquisition - Cycle 3: Grade 4 (CM1) & Grade 5 (CM2)

FLA is tailored for Cycle 3 students and is structured to ensure they acquire all grade-level content knowledge while developing their French language skills in preparation for the middle school MYP English track (still includes immersion in French (Geography) and Spanish (language class). It combines two key approaches: push-in and pull-out support.

How it works:

PUSH-IN	The FLA teacher joins the student(s) in their French grade-level class, providing in-class support so students can follow lessons without being overwhelmed. Student(s) participate and complete work in a blend of French and English based on their development as supported by the classroom teacher and FLA teacher.
PULL-OUT	Students leave their French grade-level for targeted language acquisition sessions during grammar, and literature lessons.

Program duration & pathway:

FLA is a two-year program. Most students entering in grade 5 will transition to the MYP english track which includes a similar approach to French language acquisition, which will continue throughout their middle school career.
Students are supported in navigating grade-level instruction before transitioning to the Middle School English track.
Students who feel ready and motivated may also consider the French track in middle school, following a conversation with their teachers and administration.

Teacher:
Ms. Claire

For further information, please contact Ms. Claire at claire.chaneybergeron@austininternationalschool.org.

FAST - French Academic Support & Transition

FAST is a targeted support program for students in their grade-level class who benefit from additional help with French, whether they have completed FLE, are transitioning into full grade-level instruction, or are experiencing difficulties with French more generally. The level of support, listed below, is determined by recommendations from the previous and current teacher and through ongoing communication and collaboration.

Note: AIS practices co-teaching across all grade levels, where faculty members collaborate to support students together in the classroom. Our FAST program extends this same philosophy, adding an additional layer of support.