A Critical Examination of the Beliefs about Learning a Foreign Language at Primary School

Class now much less attentive, teacher senses restlessness and announces a
game which is greeted with a big 'YES'

Teacher says that they are not allowed to speak English, this is greeted with 'oh
no^,

To play the game pupils have to ask around class for people's names and their
ages as well as tell give their own name and age.

Most do not remember how to ask these two basic question or answer.

I repeat several times and get them to practice but a few minutes later they
have already forgotten again.

Teacher stops and asks class how to ask somebody's name in French: they
don't remember

When they start moving around again one child's 'comment t'appelles tu' is
answered by another child with 'huit'

'Quel age as tu' is answered with 'je mappelɪe' by a number of children.

They have lots of fun, are entusiastic, enjoy the activity. One boy comments:
'miss the time is going really fast' and one girl comments: 'miss didn't time go
quickly'. Much social learning and 'getting on' with people but French was very
weak.

Lesson Four

Γm greeted in French pupils seem very enthusiastic and ready

Teacher says: 'Mouths the shape of O, ears back'

Whole class seems attentive

Teacher: 'Let's see what you remember, ςa va?'

Mumbles from across the class

Teacher: 'Let's assume you are all well, ςa va?'

Class: 'Oui, ςa va bien'

Teacher. 'Comment t'appelles-tu?'

3 hands go up, most do not seem to remember what the question means.

After the first few correct responses the rest of the class cottons on.

Teacher asks class to choose the name of a French footballer

More boys' hands go up than girls'

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