Immersive French as a Part of Waring’s Liberal Arts Curriculum

Learning a second language can be a challenge for many students. The fear of failure or being judged for improper pronunciation or intonation is real, even among the most confident learners. The immersion learning model at Waring acknowledges these fears and challenges while at the same time providing a safe environment for students to take risks in their learning – especially when facing a new language. 

From beginner through advanced levels, French classes at Waring are conducted entirely in French by native or near-native speakers; and the classroom experience is reinforced by a travel program to francophone countries, including a homestay experience for 9th graders. This rare and extremely effective approach to language acquisition allows most students to experience success at learning a second language. How does this happen while allowing students to progress at their own pace? 

Let’s examine the French Immersion Program at Waring and how it differs from other language learning models.

Why French? 

French is the only language taught at Waring, which is unique in that many schools offer multiple languages of study. All Waring students learn French for community-building reasons, the immense growth of the language worldwide, and the school’s historical roots. 

Josée Delacroix Waring, co-founder of the Waring School, is French and spent her adolescence in Cameroon, before moving to the United States via Paris, making the language a choice of historical (and very practical) importance. In addition, the concept of having a single language offered to students from 6th to 12th grade allows for the robust sense of community found at the Waring School. Furthermore, Waring’s connection with the Devereux School (a French immersion Montessori school whose 4th and 5th-grade classroom is located on Waring’s campus) provides a French language bridge between pre-K students up through senior year. Students from diverse backgrounds from across the North Shore of Massachusetts share a common second language. This language commonality and the travel associated with learning French at Waring help create strong bonds in our student community. 

Beyond the historical and community bonding rationale for French as a language offering at Waring, there is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates why this choice is a wise one. A 2018 article on the France Diplomatie website points to the growing use of the French language across the globe. 

Here is just a brief overview of the impact that the French language currently has globally and will have in the coming decades. 

• More than 220 million people speak French on the five continents.
• French is the second most widely learned foreign language after English and the sixth most widely spoken language in the world
• French is the third most widely used language on the Internet after English and German, ahead of Spanish.
• French is a good base for learning other languages, especially Romance languages.
• French is an analytical language that structures thought and develops critical thinking.

The Waring Approach to Learning French 

As adolescent learners, we can probably all remember learning a language. The flashcards, the rote memorization of vocabulary and the conjugation of verbs probably come to mind. While vocabulary and verb tenses are important, Waring takes a unique approach that helps our students begin to intuitively understand the language without being in constant translation mode. 

Immersion From the Start 

From the moment Waring students enter a French classroom in grade 6, they hear French; they begin to speak French. Using a light and jovial tone, French teachers use objects, photographs, music, and other methods to teach vocabulary and early conversational fluency. Through this, students are quickly able to use the language. Typically, by the end of the first day of class, most students can respond to the teacher in the language using the vocabulary modeled. By the end of the week, most students can have a simple conversation. After several weeks, most students can act out simple skits in front of families entirely in the language. 

Differentiation, Prosody, & Systemization 

How this acquisition happens is no small feat. Waring’s French Immersion Program relies on several factors including differentiation of homework, individualized instruction, small class sizes, support from administration and the Waring community as a whole, as well as prosody of language and systemization of language to help our students become fluent in the written and spoken language. 

The intense exposure to the French language includes 8 hours of French instruction a week for 6th and 7th graders and 4 hours of instruction for upperclassmen. Class sizes are kept small to allow for individual attention to be given. The prosody of language, learning the rhythm, tone, intonation, and stress on syllables, becomes easier as students hear and use the language regularly. Students are encouraged not to translate but to become intuitive in their speaking and writing. 

The systemization of the language is also key to the success of students learning French. Waring teachers practice a unique dance of sorts by repeating previously learned material while carefully introducing new concepts This systematic learning method allows students to achieve fluency and competence. 

Students who struggle to learn French are not forgotten or left behind as new material is introduced. Instead, teachers can differentiate homework assignments and instructional moments to meet the students where they are and celebrate the personal progress they are making. Focus flex periods are key times when students who need more individualized help with a concept can meet with French teachers or tutorials to gain their footing whether they are struggling with oral or written forms of the language. Additionally, Waring supports new students by offering art immersion classes to assist in the acquisition of the language. 

Furthermore, Waring’s unique immersion program doesn’t stop at the classroom door. It is not uncommon for students to speak French or sing French songs for fun outside of class. All School Meetings often offer some component of French, whether it is a skit put on by students or a speech for Convocation given in French. 

Waring teachers build a safe and respectful learning environment where students are encouraged to take academic risks and explore a new language in an immersive program. Many Waring School graduates successfully take on a third foreign language with relative ease due to their experience while at Waring. Explore our French Immersion further on our site and see how we continue to set ourselves apart by our commitment to valuing not just high academic standards, but also risk-taking, self-discovery, and respect. 

*This blog article is shortened and includes condensed content from “French Pedagogy at Waring – Collaboration and Immersion in a Diverse Community: Waring School, where “oui” means “us,” all of us.”  Maureen Gedney, Waring French teacher 2003-2023