Bilingualism

“The child has a form of mind capable of absorbing knowledge.” Maria Montessori

English as part of everyday classroom life

Bilingual school in Vernouillet

Bilingualism at Secrets d'Enfance

Learning a second language is a fantastic opportunity for children to develop their curiosity, adaptability and openness to the world.

At Secrets d’Enfance, we’ve chosen to integrate English into the daily routine of the classroom, so that this experience comes naturally and with complete confidence.

The language explosion

From birth to age 3, children go through what Maria Montessori calls the “sensitive language period”. During these early years, he learns a large number of words, begins to form his first sentences and hones his ear to the different sounds around him. From the age of 3, he enriches his vocabulary, practices expressing more abstract concepts and gradually integrates the turns of phrase he hears in everyday life.

Why is this the ideal time to discover a new language?
  • Children are able to repeat sounds without any particular accent.
  • They assimilate grammatical structures intuitively
  • Their natural curiosity motivates them to explore a variety of linguistic sounds.

Learning a second language: total immersion

To help children integrate English naturally, we rely on immersion. In the classroom, an English-speaking teacher gently guides the group, speaking only in English. This creates a safe and nurturing environment where children develop their language skills with ease and confidence, without any confusion between the two languages.

Benefits of immersion :
  • Natural acquisition of vocabulary and expressions.
  • A finely tuned ear for English
  • More confidence to communicate, play, and interact in English.

Why choose bilingual education?

Bilingualism at Secrets d’Enfance meets the needs of many families, whatever their situation:

  • Discovering a second language: French-speaking children naturally acquire English.
  • Supporting expatriate families: A caring welcome for non-French-speaking children.
  • School continuity: English-speaking children maintain their knowledge while enriching their expression in French.
  • Cultural awareness: Daily exposure to English encourages greater sensitivity to cultural differences and prepares children for a multilingual world.
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In practice

English throughout the day

At Secrets d’Enfance, we nurture a balanced and gradual approach to learning, always respecting each child’s pace and individual needs. This is how we bring bilingual education into their everyday life:

Early-learning class (2-3 years)

  • Toddlers gradually discover English through fun activities, songs and short stories.
  • The educators alternate between French and English, taking into account the children's rhythm and attention span, offering them a gentle, adapted first bilingual immersion...
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Kindergarten (3-6 years)

  • The children spend half a day in French and half a day in English, while remaining in the same class to keep their bearings.
  • Educators take it in turns to ensure that students benefit from two full days of French and two full days of English each week.
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Elementary (ages 6-11)

  • Two afternoons a week are devoted to English as a whole class.
  • Two mornings a week, children work in small groups (2-3 students) to improve their reading, comprehension and grammar skills.
  • Participation in the Cambridge Flyers program, including preparation for and taking the exam to validate English language skills.
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Visit, explore, join us!

Discover Secrets d'Enfance

Take the time to take a virtual tour of our school, find out about our prices and enroll your child for a unique and fulfilling educational experience.

Virtual tour

Dive into the heart of Secrets d’Enfance with our interactive virtual tour.

Explore our large house nestled in a 1000 m² wooded park in Vernouillet (Yvelines) and discover the green and stimulating environment we offer to children aged 2 to 11.

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Rates

Discover our plans and flexible payment options, tailored to each family, to provide your child with a bilingual Montessori education.
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Online registration

Reserve a place for your child now! Simply fill in our online form and join Secrets d'Enfance.
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Need more information?

Any questions?
Contact us by email or phone, there will always be someone to listen and answer your questions.

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Pre-registration form

Give your child a bilingual and nurturing education.
Fill out this form—no obligation—to reserve a spot and begin the registration process.

Pre-registration form

Give your child a bilingual and nurturing education.
Fill out this form—no obligation—to reserve a spot and begin the registration process.