Bringing a little French language, culture, and beauty into our homeschool - and discovering that learning something new together may be one of the sweetest parts of the journey.
There are some things in our homeschool that we want to teach our children, and then there are things we want to experience alongside them. Learning French has become a little of both.
After our time in France, I came home with an even greater appreciation for the beauty of the French language, the culture, the architecture, the food, and the little everyday moments that make a place so special. Walking the streets of Paris, hearing conversations around us, visiting beautiful landmarks, and experiencing another culture firsthand made me want to bring a little more of that world into our home.
So when I discovered French with Madame Lee, I was excited to find a program that approached language learning in a way that aligned so beautifully with how we want to educate our children.
And we’ve absolutely loved it!
Learning French as a Family
One of my favorite things about Madame Lee’s French Feast curriculum is that it isn’t something I have to prepare separately for each child. We can gather together, press play, and learn as a family.
The video lessons make it easy to incorporate French into our homeschool rhythm, whether during Morning Time or another quiet moment in our day. Madame Lee walks us through the lessons, introducing vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversational French in a way that feels approachable and enjoyable.
We work through the accompanying printable lesson and note pages, practice speaking aloud, review what we’ve learned, and encourage one another along the way.
And here’s something I particularly love: I’m learning, too!
There is something special about allowing our children to see us learning something new. We don’t have to be the experts in everything. Sometimes it’s wonderful to sit beside them, stumble over a new pronunciation, laugh together, and celebrate when we finally get it right.
More Than Memorizing Vocabulary
What makes this curriculum different is its emphasis on learning French as a living language.
Rather than simply memorizing lists of vocabulary words or completing endless grammar exercises, Madame Lee incorporates the language into meaningful experiences.
The lessons bring together:
- Art and picture study: Exploring beautiful works of art while learning to describe and discuss what we see.
- Music appreciation: Discovering French music and becoming familiar with its sounds and expressions.
- Culture and geography: Learning about France, its traditions, and the beautiful city of Paris.
- Scripture: Incorporating Bible passages, vocabulary, dictation, and memorization into our language studies.
- Conversation and pronunciation: Practicing spoken French from the beginning, with opportunities to repeat, review, and build confidence.
I love that the curriculum draws from the Charlotte Mason philosophy of living education, making connections with beautiful and meaningful things rather than treating language as just another subject to check off our list.
It’s a feast for the mind, and I think that’s such a lovely way to approach learning.
Bringing Our Travels in France into Our Homeschool
Perhaps one of the most enjoyable parts of this journey has been connecting our studies with memories of France.
When we see photographs of Paris, recognize a landmark, hear familiar words, or talk about ordering something at a French café, the lessons become a little more personal.
We can look back at our photographs and videos from our travels and remember the narrow streets, beautiful architecture, bakeries, markets, and all the little details that made us fall in love with France.
It also gives the girls something to look forward to. Learning a language opens the door to future experiences, and I love the thought of them returning to France someday with a greater understanding of the language and the confidence to use it.
Of course, we don’t need a plane ticket to enjoy the beauty of another culture. We can bring a little of it into our home, one lesson at a time.
A Gift That Lasts Longer Than Christmas
As we approach the Christmas season, I’ve been thinking about the kinds of gifts we give our children.
There is nothing wrong with a beautiful toy or something special wrapped beneath the tree. But there is also something wonderful about giving a child an opportunity that will grow with them.
A foreign language is one of those gifts.
It can travel with them, open doors, create connections, and provide opportunities long after childhood. It can make future travels more meaningful and introduce them to people, places, books, music, and experiences they might otherwise never encounter.
I love the idea of investing in something that becomes part of who they are rather than something they eventually outgrow.
And perhaps the sweetest part is that we get to learn together along the way.
Our Recommendation: French with Madame Lee
If you’re a homeschool family looking to introduce French into your homeschool, I would absolutely encourage you to take a look at Madame Lee’s courses.
Whether you’re starting with pronunciation basics or working through the French Feast courses, there are options designed to help families begin speaking French together.
The self-paced video format, accompanying printable materials, and lifetime access make it especially appealing for families who want flexibility and the ability to revisit lessons as they grow.
You don’t have to be fluent in French. You don’t even have to know where to begin. You simply need a willingness to learn alongside your children.
We’re enjoying every bit of this new adventure, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes us.
Après tout, apprendre ensemble est l’une des plus belles aventures!
After all, learning together is one of the loveliest adventures.
À bientôt!
Explore French with Madame Lee:
www.frenchwithmadamelee.com
