Back to school season is a bit like a marathon: you know you have to prepare, but you don't always know where to start. And for parents of children learning French, it often brings up questions like: "Is my child at the right level?", "Did they forget the basics?", "How can I help them get back on track without stressing them out?".

Don't worry, it's not a race! The goal isn't to re-learn everything in a week, but to do a fun check-up to approach the back to school season with peace of mind.

Evaluating skill level through play

Before you look for solutions, it's essential to understand where the difficulties lie. Forget boring tests and go for activities that feel like a game. For example, suggest that your child read their favorite book in French aloud. Observe their fluency and vocabulary. If they stumble on words, it's an opportunity to note them down and work on them later. For writing, ask them to write a short vacation diary or a postcard. It's an excellent way to see if they've mastered grammar and spelling without them realizing it. Conversation is just as important: take advantage of mealtimes to talk about their day or their favorite movies, requiring a few full sentences in French. It's a simple and effective way to help them improve their French skills.

Fill in the gaps with creative activities

Once you have an idea of the areas to improve, you can set up targeted activities. If reading is a challenge, I suggest starting with short comics or children's magazines. For vocabulary, board games like Scrabble or crosswords are perfect for low-pressure French school help. For grammar, there are tons of online worksheets, but I find that songs and poems are a great approach to memorizing rules in a fun way. Creative activities, like drawing accompanied by writing a short story, connect French to the child's creativity, which strengthens the learning process.

Expert help, a solution for a successful back to school season

Sometimes, school difficulties persist or the bilingual situation is too complex. This is the time to turn to external support. As a teacher and founder of "Les Explorateurs du Français", I have developed methods that make learning French captivating. For children aged 7 to 10, my Super Explorers package is a true adventure. I use tales and interactive stories alongside an endearing character to make French a game. All the packages I offer allow for playful progress in French, and are a perfect support to gradually improve without the learning of French being perceived as an additional chore.

The key is to stay positive

Don't forget that the main goal is to give your child back the desire and pleasure of communicating in French. Don't put pressure on them. Celebrate every small victory, every new word, every well-constructed sentence. It's encouragement that makes all the difference.