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Our picks for the best homeschool french curriculum for elementary:
- Best for Younger Elementary Kids: French for Kids Set 1, Language Together
- Best for Older Elementary Kids: French for Children Primer A, Classical Academic Press
- Best Online Option: Dinolingo French
If you are looking to introduce a foreign language into your homeschool, French can be a great option for elementary-aged kids. French is one of the world’s great languages, and fortunately there are some excellent resources for homeschoolers looking to teach this language to their kids. In this article we’ll tell you about three of our favorite homeschool French curriculum options for elementary-aged kids. If you have older kids who are interested in learning French, check out our related articles, Best Homeschool French Curriculum for Middle School and Best Homeschool French Curriculum for High School. And don’t forget to check out our list of recommended French language and culture supplements for homeschooling!
Best for Younger Elementary Kids
French for Kids Set 1, Language Together
If you are looking for simple French program suited to younger kids (ages 3-8), try French for Kids by Language Together. This program uses fun, short stories similar to Bob Books to teach French. It also provides access to online audio recordings so kids can learn correct French pronunciation, as well as downloadable activity sheets for extra practice.
Language Together produces similar kids’ programs for Spanish, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. Like these other programs, the French one uses the “Spot Color Immersion Method” to teach the language in a fun yet effective way. A combination of visual cues, repetition, and fun humor work to help kids retain what they are learning. And young kids will feel proud after each book they’ve finished and want to continue progressing through the stories.
The set includes ten French readers focused on the following themes: family, animals, clothing, colors, face/body, fruit, numbers, shapes, snacks, and toys. Each reader is 16 pages long. Once your child finishes the first set, a second set is also available.
For extra, fun vocabulary practice, we recommend this flashcard set by eeBoo and the Carnaval French Learning Songs CD by Whistlesfritz.
Best for Older Elementary Kids
French for Children Primer A, Classical Academic Press
If you are looking for an excellent, user-friendly French program suitable for older elementary kids, consider the French for Children program by Classical Academic Press. The program is nicely organized, with a weekly schedule that makes it easy to complete the first primer in one semester. Students complete one chapter a week, with each chapter including grammar, memory work, worksheets, and a quiz.
This curriculum can be done with the help of a parent, but many older elementary kids will be able to do it fairly independently. This is, therefore, an excellent program for independent learners and for kids who might find typical language programs “boring”. Parents report that this program is fun and engaging for kids and adults alike.
To begin this curriculum, you’ll need the French for Children Primer A. You’ll also want to purchase the French for Children Primer A Answer Key. Additionally, we recommend the accompanying DVDs and Chant CD, especially if you as the parent don’t have prior knowledge of French.
Best Online Option
If you are looking for an awesome online French course for your elementary student, we recommend Dinolingo. With Dinolingo, your child won’t even feel like they are “doing school”. Instead, they’ll get to play games, watch educational videos, and read fun stories, all while learning French!
The program, which has a website as well as an app, uses an immersion-based approach to introduce kids to French. You student will gain skills in reading, speaking, and writing in French, as well as listening to French and learning French vocabulary. They’ll learn through video-based lessons, worksheets, games, and stories. Dinolingo recommends kids use the app for 15-30 minutes a day. They’ll naturally progress through the program at their own pace, and there’s no timeline in which they need to finish the course.
Dinolingo offers content appropriate for kids from ages 3-14, so this might also be a great option for older or younger siblings. Kids can take courses in over 50 other languages through Dinolingo, as well!
Dinolingo is subscription-based, and up to 4 kids can use the same subscription for the same language (each additional language costs an extra fee). For a 10% discount on a yearly subscription, use this link!
Conclusion
If you’d like to bring French into your homeschool, there are some great curriculum options to choose from! If you have older kids who are interested in learning French, check out our related articles, Best Homeschool French Curriculum for Middle School and Best Homeschool French Curriculum for High School. And don’t forget to check out our list of recommended French language and culture supplements for homeschooling.