In my last post, I reflected on the twelve-year French-language journey that my son and I have been on (and are still on) and promised to share some of the specifics of this adventure.
I guess at some point, it must have been a conscious decision that my husband and I took, but to be honest, I do not remember the dialogue that went with the decision. I don't remember having a serious discussion, just prior to directing my first French word at my Australian-born son, about the benefits of so-doing. Possibly, neither my husband or I really thought that it would be anything more than a passing phase.
So, knowing only the 'when' (always - hopefully!) but being somewhat vague about the 'why' and 'how', much of what followed initially, could probably be put down to good luck. Soon, though, I recognised that I was totally invested in the process, enjoying it despite the difficulties and challenges, and going down paths that I would never have previously considered, which were exciting and enriching on a personal level.
What did we do?
- I knew that I did not have enough vocabulary and worked as often and as hard as I could on building the baby vocabulary that I needed.
- I employed a native French speaker to tutor me and verify that the words and language that I had begun to use were indeed accurate and appropriate. Our household funds were limited, as I was on maternity leave with no second salary coming in, so I had my long list of language questions drawn up and ready before we started each time, and restricted myself to just a handful of lessons.
- I joined a council-subsidised, local, French-speaking play-group. French was the only language spoken, and all levels of fluency were welcomed. It helped immensely that there was a paid 'leader' who set up activities in French (colouring in, songs, stories) for the children. This was followed by a free-for-all play and morning tea, which gave the children and parents an opportunity to socialise in French.
- I found a French-speaking pre-school and enrolled my son in the program as soon as I was able (he was 3 yo).
- I kept on talking. Every moment with my son was an opportunity to tell him how I was feeling (Comme je t'aime. Tu es si beau) or describe what I was seeing or doing (Je te mets dans la poussette. Vois-tu les jolis oiseaux colorés? Penses-tu qu'ils chantent bien? Ah non, voilà mon chapeau qui s'envole...). Of course, there was nothing in return, initially, but this meant that making mistakes, or stopping half-way through a sentence because I was unsure how to finish it, or changing tack to something I did know how to finish, was never a problem. I got used to what I was doing and my son just smiled and did what babies do back at me.
- I read to my son in French during our play times, but also just before I put him into bed. By that stage we would already have gone through our dinner and bath routine. Then, when he was old enough, we would sit on the floor in his room and I would read aloud to him. It was a moment of pleasure for both of us and one that I shared reluctantly! When he was capable of so-doing, he would turn the pages and interact with the book, pointing to objects that I asked him to show me, giving me the words to finish sentences or well-known rhymes, clapping and reacting as per the book's instructions.
- For his day-time sleep, I would often also put on, very softly, a CD of French lullabies or rhymes for him to listen to as he was falling asleep.
- I bought French stories on CDs to listen to in the car, which helped reinforce my language as much as giving my son (and by default my older daughters) the enjoyment of the sounds.
- I kept a pen and paper on me whenever possible to write down the things that I wanted to look up or ask about. (This is 12 years ago after all! Using the Notes function on your mobile would be just as good).
And
- I drew up pages of sentences (cheat sheets) relevant to each of the stages of my son's day, listed as chapters. Of course, they are just a sample of all the possible language - but I needed to start somewhere.
Here is my Chapter 1
Réveille-toi
Pour un garçon :-
Bonjour mon chéri.
Coucou mon chéri/mon loulou/mon canard/mon lapin/ma puce ...
Tu dors ou t’es réveillé?
Coucou. Je te vois. Je suis là. C’est maman.
Maman est contente de te voir. Je t’aime mon petit chéri.
Tu viens. On va faire un petit câlin.
Tu es tout mouillé. On va te changer.
On ouvre les rideaux. Est-ce qu’il fait beau? Bonjour le jardin!
Allez! Allez! Tu dois avoir faim mon petit chéri. On va aller manger?
Allez! On va s’installer. Je vais te donner le/ton biberon? C’est ça que tu attendais?
S’il pleure
Tu pleures? Qu’est-ce qu’il y a? Tu as faim? Tu es mouillé? Je suis là. Pendant toute la nuit on était séparés.

Pour une fille
Bonjour ma chérie. Coucou ma chérie/ma louloutte/mon canard/mon lapin ...
Tu dors ou t’es réveillée?
Coucou. Je te vois. Je suis là. C’est maman.
Maman est contente de te voir. Je t’aime ma petite chérie.
Tu viens. On va faire un petit câlin.
Tu es toute mouillée. On va te changer.
On ouvre les rideaux. Est-ce qu’il fait beau? Bonjour le jardin!
Allez! Allez! Tu dois avoir faim ma petite chérie. On va aller manger?
Allez! On va s’installer. Je vais te donner le/ton biberon? C’est ça que tu attendais?
Si elle pleure
Tu pleures? Qu’est-ce qu’il y a? Tu as faim? Tu es mouillée? Je suis là. Pendant toute la nuit on était séparées.
