Cartoon Arc de Triomphe with a smiling French flag and heart and star icons on grid paper.

Level 1 - Grande Section de Maternelle (Kindergarten - Age 6)

This Grande Section French program teaches French-speaking children to read and write, preparing them for CP (1st grade).

Our students explore cursive writing, begin reading simple French words, master all French phonics sounds, and develop essential literacy skills through engaging stories and activities.

Meet the teachers your child will love learning with!

Welcome to Moyenne Section de Maternelle

  • Beginning reading fluency (lecture)
  • Cursive writing mastery (écriture cursive)
  • Complete alphabet in cursive (A-Z)
  • 40+ French sight words
  • 10 engaging French stories
  • Numbers 1-100 in French
  • 25-minute classes adapted to kindergarten learners

Trusted by 500+ families | Perfect 5/5 rating

What your child willlearn

Our students strengthen their language skills by exploring more complex grammar and discussing various topics. They master verb tenses with greater precision — present, present perfect, past continuous, future — and use the subjunctive to express nuances of feeling or doubt.

Objectives

Read simple French words and sentences
Master French cursive writing
French Conversation & Vocabulary

Skills

Listening comprehension
Understand French stories and instructions, identify words and sounds in context, follow conversations
Speaking
Express preferences (J'aime/Je n'aime pas), describe emotions and physical appearance, discuss daily routines and activities
Reading
Read simple French words and sentences, recognize 40+ sight words, decode using phonics sounds (A-Z)
Writing
Write in French cursive (all letters A-Z), copy simple words and sentences, trace and form letters correctly

What happens in a typical25-minute class?

Your child learns 2 cursive letters, 2-4 new sight words, practices reading sentences, and masters 10-15 new vocabulary words every class!

Minutes 1-5
Greetings & review
First, we greet each other in French, review previous cursive letters and sight words through playful reading practice.
Warm-up & oral routine
Minutes 6-12
New sounds & cursive letters
Illustration of a white rooster with blue tail feathers and comb, singing with musical notes above its open beak, standing beside a red heart shape and a smaller pink heart nearby.
Then, we discover 2 new French sounds and learn to write 2 cursive letters (A-S, R-K, etc.) through guided tracing and practice.
Minutes 13-20
Sight words & reading
Next, we learn new sight words (IL Y A, ME, DANS) and practice reading simple French sentences combining sounds and sight words.
New learning
Illustration of a smiling woman with curly blonde hair wearing a black beret and a blue and white striped shirt, holding a pencil with a wavy dark blue line extending from it.
Minutes 21-25
Vocabulary & conversation
Finally, we practice thematic vocabulary (days, weather, emotions) and use it in conversation!

What Parents of 5-6Year Olds Say

“She's reading in French now!”
“After 10 months in Grande Section, my daughter can read simple French books on her own! The cursive writing practice was especially helpful for her CP transition.”
Sophie T.
Sophie T.
French mother in New York, daughter age 6
“Perfect CP preparation!”
“Grande Section prepared our son perfectly for CP at Lycée Français. He entered 1st grade already reading and writing in cursive!”
Marc D.
Marc D.
French father in Boston, son age 6
“From letters to sentences!
“My daughter started Grande Section knowing her letters and finished reading complete sentences! The 25-minute format kept her engaged the entire year.”
Caroline L.
Caroline L.
French mother in San Francisco, daughter age 6

Is right for your child?

Happy cartoon dog wearing a blue beret and a collar with a gold bone tag, with a red heart and yellow star on a white grid paper background.
Perfect if your child
Is 6 years old
Already speaks French conversationally at home
Completed Moyenne Section or knows the French alphabet
Is ready to begin reading and writing
Enjoys French stories and wants to read independently
Needs preparation for CP (1st grade) in French school
Not the right fit if
Under age 5 → Try Moyenne Section first
Age 6-7 and already reading fluently → Start with CP level
Cannot speak French yet → See French Discovery Program (FLE)
Doesn’t know French alphabet yet → Start with Moyenne Section

Your child’s journey through
Grande section maternelle

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Units 1

Days & Meals

Cursive Letters:

A - S

Sounds:

[A] - [S]

Sight Words:

IL Y A (there is), ME (me), DANS (in), TE (you)

Vocabulary:

Days of the week (lundi, mardi...), moments of the day (matin, midi, soir), meals (petit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dîner).

Writing:

Cursive letters A and S, copy simple words

Speaking:

Talk about daily schedule and meal times

Unit 2

Days & Meals

Cursive Letters:

R - K

Sounds:

[R] - [K]

Sight Words:

Review (il y a, me, dans, te)

Vocabulary:

Months of the year (janvier, février...), seasons (printemps, été, automne, hiver)

Writing:

Cursive letters R and K, write month names

Speaking:

Describe seasons and favorite months

Unit 3

Weather

Cursive Letters:

L - I

Sounds:

[L] - [I]

Sight Words:

IL (he), ELLE (she), EST (is), VOIT (sees)

Vocabulary:

Weather (il pleut, il fait beau, il neige, il fait chaud/froid)

Writing:

Cursive letters L and I, weather sentences

Speaking:

Describe today's weather

Unit 4

Preferences & Hobbies

Cursive Letters:

B - O

Sounds:

[B] - [O]

Sight Words:

Review (il, elle, est, voit)

Vocabulary:

Preferences (J'aime/Je n'aime pas), sports (football, natation, danse), musical instruments (piano, guitare, violon)

Writing:

Cursive letters B and O, write preferences

Speaking:

Express likes and dislikes

Unit 5

Shops & Numbers 11-20

Cursive Letters:

M - E

Sounds:

[M] - [E]

Sight Words:

TU (you), ES (are), FAIT (does/makes), DE (of/from)

Vocabulary:

Shops (boulangerie, pharmacie, supermarché), numbers 11-20

Writing:

Cursive letters M and E, write numbers in words

Speaking:

Discuss shopping and count to 20

Unit 6

House & Prepositions

Cursive Letters:

V - T

Sounds:

[V] - [T]

Sight Words:

Review (tu, es, fait, de)

Vocabulary:

Rooms of the house (cuisine, chambre, salon, salle de bain), prepositions of place (dans, sur, sous, à côté de)

Writing:

Cursive letters V and T, describe house

Speaking:

Describe where things are in the house

Unit 7

Emotions & Numbers 21-69

Cursive Letters:

U - D

Sounds:

[U] - [D]

Sight Words:

ET (and), VAIS (go), MANGE (eat), BOIS (drink)

Vocabulary:

Emotions (content, triste, fâché, surpris), numbers 21-69

Writing:

Cursive letters U and D, emotion sentences

Speaking:

Express how you feel

Unit 8

Body & Physical Description

Cursive Letters:

P - F

Sounds:

[P] - [F]

Sight Words:

Review (et, vais, mange, bois)

Vocabulary:

Body parts (la tête, les bras, les jambes), physical description (grand, petit, cheveux blonds/bruns)

Writing:

Cursive letters P and F, describe people sentences

Speaking:

Describe physical appearance

Unit 9

Clothing & Numbers 70-100

Cursive Letters:

N - É

Sounds:

[N] - [É]

Sight Words:

BOIT (drinks), AU (to the/at the)

Vocabulary:

Clothing (pantalon, robe, chaussures, manteau), numbers 70-100

Writing:

Cursive letters N and É, write clothing words

Speaking:

Describe what you're wearing, count to 100

Unit 10

Review & Assessment

Cursive Letters:

Complete cursive alphabet review (A-Z)

Sounds:

All sight words review (40+ words)

Vocabulary review:

Days, months, weather, preferences, emotions, body, clothing, numbers 1-100

Assessment:

Reading fluency, cursive writing, sight word recognition, oral comprehension

Congratulations!

Your child has completed the Grande Section French program and is ready for CP (1st grade)!

FAQsabout onlineFrench classes for kids

What age is the French online summer camp for?

Our online French summer camp is designed for children ages 5 to 15. Our native teachers adapt every lesson to your child’s age, level, and learning style whether they’re a total beginner or already have some French. Every child gets a program that feels just right for them.

Does my child need to speak French to join?

Not at all. All levels are welcome, including complete beginners who have never heard a word of French. Our native teachers use games, visuals, and storytelling to make everything clear and fun from the very first lesson, no prior knowledge needed, just a smile and a screen.

How does the free trial work?

Your child gets a free 25-minute 1-on-1 lesson with a native French teacher. No credit card required, no automatic billing, and absolutely no commitment. You simply decide afterward whether you’d like to continue most families book their first week the same day.

How many weeks can my child attend?

The camp is completely flexible,  join for as little as 1 week or up to 10 weeks, with up to 5 sessions per week. You choose the duration that fits your summer. There’s no need to commit to all 10 weeks upfront — you can add weeks as you go.

Will my child have the same teacher every week?

Yes, and that’s one of the things that makes our program special. Your child works with the same dedicated native teacher all summer long. This consistency builds trust, confidence, and real momentum. Their teacher will know their name, their pace, and what makes them tick.

What does my child need to join online?

Just a computer or tablet with a camera and a stable internet connection. We use Zoom, you’ll receive a link before every session. No special software, no materials to buy, and no complicated setup. If your child can join a video call, they’re ready to go.

How is this different from a French app or group class?

Apps and group classes give every child the same experience. We don’t. Every lesson at Little French Speakers is 100% personalized, built around your child’s level, pace, interests, and goals. They work 1-on-1 with a real native teacher who adapts in real time. No algorithm, no waiting, no getting lost in a group. Just your child and a teacher who’s fully focused on them.

How will I choose between 25, or 50-minute classes?

After the free trial, you will receive an email with your child’s level placement and the recommended class duration based on their attention span.

Will my child have the same teacher at each class level?

Yes, to ensure continuity, each class across all levels is delivered by the same teacher.

Is it possible to have multiple children in the same class?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to organize classes for siblings or friends, as long as the children are of a similar age and have a comparable level of French.

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Join our amazing French class!

Join our amazing French class!

  • Personalized 1-on-1 lessons
  • 25 minute or 50 minute classes
  • All teachers are native French speakers
  • 100% online interactive program

From$25 / per class

See WhyParents LoveLittle French Speakers

We’re so happy that we found Little French Speakers! My daughter (8) had been taking French classes in a group setting locally once a week, and we were not impressed with her progress, so we decided to try something else. At the trial lesson, I could tell that the teacher was high energy and my daughter was very enraged and speaking a lot.

Sarah Zahnouni
Sarah Zahnouni
2 years ago

To expand my daughter's language skill, I signed her up at Little French Speakers for almost 9 months even though at home we speak mix Vietnamese and English.
My kid really loves to interact with LFS teachers virtually and has made a great progress. It is cool to hear her speak French at the mall and pronounce French words correctly.

Kim Vu
Kim Vu
2 years ago

We have two sons who were at a French Immersion school, but then we had to relocate to a different city. The new school did not have access to French at the Elementary grades. I needed a reliable, high-quality source for French learning to help my boys maintain their fluency. I am so happy to have found Little French Speakers!

G Park
G Park
7 months ago

My son has been taking lessons with Little French Speakers, and he has enjoyed them so much! His teacher is wonderful, and the structure of the lessons has been fantastic. Engaging, well-paced, and tailored to his level. Scheduling has also been incredibly easy, and we were able to find the perfect time that fits our busy schedule.

Kristen Chitsaz
Kristen Chitsaz
8 months ago

My daughter (9yo, no prior French experience) has really enjoyed Little French Speakers. Her teacher, Magali, is fantastic with her. Despite being over zoom, they have quite a personal connection. I would highly recommend this program if your child is interested in obtaining beginning language skills in a low pressure, customized way.

Catherina Pinnaro
Catherina Pinnaro
3 months ago
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Google rating: 5.0/5 from 41 reviews

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