Our Pedagogy
Why did I create this English learning school?
I started from the following observation: who has never been in the situation of having studied English for many years at school but, once in an English-speaking country, felt unable to understand a simple question, let alone answer it? Most French people make this observation and it's from a very young age that we have to expose our children to English to avoid this pitfall.
In addition, thanks to neuroscience, we now know that the learning abilities of young children are eased by the plasticity of their brain. Children's untrained palates provide them with the capacity to pronounce many sounds. Finally, children are not afraid of being looked at by others or of new things unlike middle school students and adults! This is a major asset because they can express themselves without any inhibition.
Who am I ?
I have a Bachelor's degree in English and a CELTA from the University of Cambridge and I am passionate about languages. I left a fifteen-year career in business to teach English to children. Mother of two teenage girls, I am a highly sensitive person and I like to listen to people in order to help them. I love being surrounded by children because they are spontaneous, full of energy and creative. I love guiding them and seeing them gaining self-confidence in their ability to speak in English.
I create my lessons and activities for each level in order to encourage the practice of oral English in a fun, involving and joyful atmosphere. Groups are generally made up of 5 to 10 children maximum except in the schools where I teach in which groups can reach up to 15 children.
My objective is to support and guide, to suggest and offer without imposing. I reassure and encourage them, I help them to gain confidence in speaking English and consequently, I help them increase their self-esteem.
I love the quote from Benjamin Franklin which sums up the philosophy of Funtastic English School:
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
“Tell me and I forget.” Teach me and I will remember. Involve me and I’ll learn.”
Why learn English with Funtastic English School?
In France we usually spend seven years or more studying English at school and find that we cannot understand a simple question when we are in a real situation and that we are even less able to answer that question which deserves a simple answer!
I create a safe atmosphere in my classes in which your child will be able to speak freely on everyday subjects in English. Each course is built using characters that children will identify with. It consists of a listening activity and oral expression in a fun, generous and joyful English atmosphere! The group dynamic is very beneficial to learning English because it creates emulation and a desire to learn together. In addition, the groups are small enough to allow everyone to speak English.
New for 2024: preparation for Cambridge exams from first grade
In some schools where I teach, students will take a Cambridge certification to validate the Pre-A1 Starters, Movers or A1 Flyers level depending on their level.
I am in the process of taking a “Cambridge examiner” certification which will give me the right to take these Young Learners level tests for 6-11 year olds (young learners) in schools. I can also organize a Cambridge exam session within your school if you wish by putting you in contact with the relevant organisation.
Cambridge English Qualifications are aligned with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Starters is aimed at the Pre-A1 level, Movers is aimed at the Pre-A1 and A1 levels with a strong performance indicating the A1 level, and Flyers is aimed at the A1 and A2 levels, with a strong performance indicating the A2 level.
Below are the expectations of the French "National Education" at each stage of the school career, and the corresponding exam:
- Primary: pre-A1 level (Pre-A1 Starters or Flyers)
- End of 6th grade: level A1 (A1 Movers)
- End of secondary school: A2 level (A2 Flyers or A2 Key for Schools)
- Beginning of high school: level B1 (B1 Preliminary)
- End of high school: level B2 (B2 First)
Since April 3, 2020, a decree provides that level B2 must be validated to enter BTS, License and DUT (certification test to be presented).
To pursue higher studies abroad, the C1 level (C1 Advanced) is often required by foreign universities.
Cambridge English exams are high-quality English tests and certifications for learners and are valid for life. All Cambridge English exams are designed to meet the requirements of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This common basis is therefore understandable for employers, universities and any other institution or administration wishing to refer to levels of English. Therefore, by obtaining a Cambridge certificate, your child will be able to justify his level when he enrolls in high school, in higher education and then with his employer.
Cambridge English exams are offered for all levels, from basic (levels A1 and A2), intermediate (levels B1 and B2) to experienced (levels C1 and C2).
In the table below you can see how the Young Learner tests fit in with the rest of the Cambridge English exams.
The purple column shows the progression that children follow at school from Starters (pre-A1 level) through to Movers (at A1) and Flyers (at A2), which is at the same CEFR level as Key for Schools (and Key, for adult learners). One of the aims of the YLE tests is to provide a solid foundation for young learners who can then take the Cambridge “For Schools” or adult exams.
So, what do we do during an English lesson at Funtastic English School?
“A warm-up” with an entry into the session and rituals.
A method of learning through storytelling and practice. It is either a story told or the presentation of an artist which will allow us to explore vocabulary and do creative activities “in the manner of” Pablo Picasso for example.
This approach, focused on oral and multisensory, will combine gesture with speech, thus allowing better memorization of the vocabulary taught.
The story told will be repeated in the form of a song or rhyme to carry out initial pronunciation work facilitated by the music and to realize that English has a different musicality from French with accented words and unstressed words.
During my lessons, I emphasize the meaning of words (“meaning comes first”): the child must be able to understand in order to learn. Posters, flashcards, clear and precise context are used to ensure that the words are understood, this is essential. Phonetics and grammar will also be studied by making connections with the French language, thus allowing the child to use “their linguistic capital” to develop language strategies.
For GS & CP, each session will introduce 3 to 5 new words.
Short meditations can also be offered to reduce excitement and bring their focus back if necessary!
From CE1, each session will introduce 5 to 10 new words and writing will be gradually introduced from CE2.
English-speaking countries culture is also addressed in order to raise children's awareness in a more global way and to give meaning to learning: why learn a language if you don't know in which countries it is spoken? How do we greet each other? How is a day at English school, What do we eat for breakfast? What are the important holidays and events in the British Isles and the differences and similarities with France?
Each lesson will therefore contain practical and fun activities in English to encourage your children to speak: painting, drawing, quizzes, songs, dancing, manual activities or board games. Their visual, auditory and kinesthetic abilities are therefore used, which promotes learning.
Are there level groups?
We group children by age group, which generally corresponds to their level.
Kiddy Funtastic English
For GS & CP
Kids Funtastic English 1
For CE1 & CE2
Kids Funtastic English 2
For CM1 & CM2
The courses offered during school holidays are generally for all ages and levels.
And after class?
I encourage parents to use an online platform to integrate the practice of English in their daily life and thus anchor the learning seen in class.
I have a partnership with KOKORO LINGUA platform which is especially designed for young people to learn English. It is an intuitive method for learning English, through weekly videos, with fun activities, led by native English-speaking children with whom our children identify. Broadcasted like a routine every day at home, these videos allow your children to memorize the vocabulary and grammatical structures seen in class with Funtastic English School.
Thus, by combining my lessons and KOKORO LINGUA, English will now be part of the daily life of your children who will progress significantly (and audibly!).
Contact details to contact the team
Laure Ambonville-Devron
38B rue du Mont Fleury – 35400 Saint-Malo
Tel: 06.16.12.74.99