LITERACY PROGRAMME

The Literacy Programme is designed to teach English reading and writing skills to children ages 4 to 10 who speak English fluently (using English as one of their primary languages at home), and who are enrolled in local French speaking schools (not participating in any other bilingual programme).

The curriculum is based on those used in international schools. Each week children receive homework, such as worksheets or reading books, and parents are asked to ensure support at home to complete assignments for the following week. Indeed, in all literacy groups it is essential that the work completed in class is supported and reinforced by activities at home to enable children to achieve their full potential.

As in all Playgroup activities Literacy Programme teachers and assistants are volunteers (many of whom hold professional qualifications). Parents must wait on Playgroup premises during classes for insurance purposes, and as such are encouraged to provide additional help as required by the teachers and assistants (perhaps preparing snacks and clearing up, or helping with library books and reading in the classes).

Pre-Literacy:

(Children are enrolled in Première Enfantine (Swiss System) or Moyenne Maternelle (French System).

This group is the transition from playgroup to a more structured Literacy Programme class. The session follows the playgroup structure (see Playgroup section), but in the first part, as well as doing artwork, children learn the alphabet (recognise and name each letter) and develop knowledge of consonant and short vowel sounds in speech and writing. In the second part, games in the “Big Toy Room” are based on literacy work.

Literacy 1:

(Children are enrolled in Deuxième Enfantine (Swiss System) or Grande Maternelle (French System).

The first year of the Literacy Programme introduces children to early reading and writing techniques with games and songs included each week. During this year, children develop and expand their vocabulary and are introduced to grammar basics, including sentence construction and punctuation.

Literacy 2:

(Children are enrolled in Première Primaire (Swiss System) or Cours Preparatoire (French System).

In the second year of the Literacy Programme, children are encouraged to discover the world of reading in many contexts. Building upon verbal and reading language skills while developing new writing skills will enable them to complete simple comprehension exercises.

Literacy 3:

(Children are enrolled in Deuxième Primaire (Swiss System) or Cours Elémentaire (French System).

In the third year children are challenged by a more advanced curriculum for reading, written expression and comprehension skills. They will learn to write proper sentences using correct grammar and be encouraged to write their own narratives.

Literacy 4:

(Children are enrolled in Troisième Primaire (Swiss System) or Cours Elémentaire 2 (French System).

In the fourth year there is an emphasis on the children’s independence in planning and completing work and more focus on grammar activities. They are required to read instructions in order to complete tasks. During this year, they will complete special writing projects including stories, poems, articles, previews, and posters..

Literacy 5:

(Children are enrolled in Quatrième Primaire (Swiss System) or Cours Moyen 1 (French System).

This class is a continuation of the work done in Literacy 4 and only children who have completed Literacy 4 are eligible for this group.

If you have any questions, please contact our Literacy Co-ordinator on the contacts page.

Due to the high demand for places in the Literacy Programme, priority is given to children of active Playgroup Programme volunteers.