Bonjour! French for Beginners (Grades 5-8)

When do you say bonjour, and when is salut the better fit? In Bonjour! French for Beginners, students explore a new theme each month with a live instructor, from greetings and getting around to food, hobbies and celebrations, saying each phrase back at home and picking up the songs and mnemonics French kids use to learn. Each month, your student leaves with a new set of everyday French phrases for that month's theme. First-time French learners who love a good mnemonic will feel at home; each month stands alone, so join for one or several.

August: Greetings & Getting Around Students will learn how French-language conversations begin and end, how to give and understand directions, and the language of getting around–a perfect set of skills for visiting France someday

September: Family, Food, & Feelings Students will learn how to describe friends and family members, how to identify and order food, and how to express emotions in French. After all, no trip to France would be complete without sampling the cuisine, and that experience requires many adjectives to describe happiness and joy

October: Shapes, Colors, Letters, & Numbers These concepts are the building blocks of any language, and this month students will break down these essentials of the French language and learn the songs and mnemonics that native-speaking children use when learning these fundamentals, too

November: Hobbies, Activities, & Clothing This month students will learn how to describe their favorite activities and pastimes in French: they'll learn a little bit about verb conjugation and sentence structure along the way, but the whole time they'll just be focused on the jouissance (enjoyment)

December: Calendars & Celebrations Students will learn how to find and describe holidays on the calendar as well as how to discuss and partake in their celebrations

January: Travel & Geography Students will learn the words and phrases they'll need to travel in a French-speaking country, including how to ask for and give directions, how to describe their surroundings, and how to talk about important landmarks.

February: School & Work Students will learn how to talk about their school work and parents' jobs, including what they're studying, what they find difficult or interesting, and what they'd like to be when they grow up.

March: Shopping & Stores Students will learn how to shop for the essentials, like food, clothing, and beverages. They'll learn a little about numbers and money words as well as how to describe what they're looking for to a store clerk.

April: Routines, Chores, & Daily Activities This month, students will talk about things they do everyday, whether that's brushing their teeth and getting ready for school or eating breakfast and walking the dog. They'll learn a little about verb conjugation and tenses, too!

May: Sports & Entertainment Students will learn how to talk about action, whether that's kicking a soccer ball or watching a movie in theaters with friends. This is a great time to learn ordering words like "then" and "after," as well as an excuse to talk about their latest favorite shows – in French, of course!

June: Summer Plans This month students will learn how to describe their favorite summer activities, whether that's lounging by a pool or the beach or hiking while away at summer camp. They'll also learn useful words for talking about the weather and how to order a cold, tasty treat.