For six years members of the Niskayuna High School French club have been reading fairy tales to students and all five elementary schools.
The initiative started as a way to teach some of our students stories they’re familiar with in a new language. French Club Advisor Madame Amy Martin believes it’s a great way to get younger learners engaged in world languages like French.
The program began with 20 high school students reading at two elementary schools. Since then, it has grown significantly now includes 42 students reading to 32 elementary classes in different grade levels at all five primary schools.
High school students prepare a list of vocabulary words ahead of time, which correspond to the specific fairy tale they will be reading to the class.
“The elementary students are exposed to the French language and they are able to recognize cognates and repeated vocabulary words which brings greater success to their comprehension and experience, particularly when coupled with their familiarity of the fairy tales,” Martin said.
The activity also gives the high school students an opportunity to become teachers and practice their speaking skills.
Those who took part this year said they had great audiences.
“They seemed very focused and they seemed to enjoy it,” said ninth grader Peri Levine. “I was a little nervous because I didn’t really know how they were going to act, but I think it went really well because we seemed to have their full attention.”
Fellow ninth grade French student Alana Folmsbee said she also experienced some nerves before reading to third graders at Glencliff. She worried she might forget some of her French mid-lesson.
“It was actually really fun and I remembered a lot of things which really tested my French and it went really well,” Folmsbee said. “I would definitely do it again. I think I want to stay with a third grade age group,and maybe sign up for more readings next year, because that was really fun and it was very interesting to see the questions they had and how interested they were in learning.”
For some, it was an opportunity to bring the tradition full circle.
“Actually, I went to Glencliff when I was little,” senior Sravani Nimishakavi said. “It’s really exciting for me to come back and, you know, read to younger kids.”
“My sister did this for me when I was here, so it’s kind of a nice moment,” said ninth grade French student Shreejaa Senthilkumar.
Martin said she’s proud of all those who participated.
“I feel very happy that our French students have an opportunity to present the beautiful French language to our young elementary school learners and that our high school students are able to showcase and share their French knowledge in such a rewarding way,” Martin said.
Martin said the club is planning to continue the French fairy tale reading tradition next year during Regents week.
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