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Sensationnel!



I found the video “Chicken Pox” so fascinating on several levels.  For starters, I was very surprised that an immersive-French class for Kindergarteners in Ohio is even a thing.  For another, I was startled at how much French the kids had learned so quickly.  Lastly, I was taken aback at how many of the strategies used in any public, English-speaking classroom were the same in the French-immersive classroom.
My biased opinion is that French is quite exceptionally difficult. (I tried to self-teach myself French as an adult and I failed miserably.)  Yet the kids in Mr. Scott’s classroom had learned a fair amount of French in only nine weeks.  While speaking almost solely in French, Mr. Scott integrated visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning techniques.  He carefully scaffolded and modeled the material.  My biggest take-away from this is that these strategies are the same that have been proven effective for English speaking students in an English-only classroom. 
The video actually gave me a bit more confidence as I embark on my teaching career.  I anticipate having English learners in my class, and I am glad to know that “good teaching” is good teaching for all.  I’m eager to see how much and how quickly my English language learners can progress.  I will try very hard to be as mindful and conscientious as Mr. Scott.

Chicken Pox video

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