A1.1 – Unité 04 : Mon école

French school vocabulary for children

After learning how to greet, talk about family, and describe the home, children are ready to discover the world of school in French. This unit, focused on French school vocabulary for children, introduces young learners to the words and expressions they need to talk about their classroom, their teacher, and their classmates. From everyday objects like chaise (chair) and table (table) to people such as la maîtresse (the teacher) and les copains (friends), this unit helps children connect language to their real-life experience of school.

Parents looking for a motivating and structured introduction to French school vocabulary will find this unit playful, interactive, and reassuring.

What your child will learn in this unit

By the end of this unit, your child will be able to:

• Name common places at school (classroom, playground).
• Identify classroom objects (table, chair, board, pen).
• Say “This is…” (C’est…) and “These are…” (Ce sont…).
• Introduce the teacher (C’est la maîtresse / le maître).
• Talk about classmates (Voici mon copain / ma copine).
• Use likes/dislikes (J’aime / Je n’aime pas l’école).
• Count from 16 to 20.
• Combine previous vocabulary (greetings, family, house) with new school words.

These objectives allow children to describe their school environment in simple sentences and short exchanges.

A playful and interactive approach

Each lesson in this unit lasts around 30 minutes and combines structure with fun. Children start with a warm-up, then explore new vocabulary through short dialogues or videos. They practice pronunciation and meaning through interactive activities, including:

• Matching games: connect pictures of school objects with the correct French word.
• Role-plays: introducing the teacher and classmates.
• Simple Q&A: “Qu’est-ce que c’est ? – C’est une table.”
• Listening tasks: short audio clips of children in class.
• Pronunciation practice: repeating sounds and words, focusing on clarity.

By engaging with the vocabulary in multiple ways, children not only recognize school words but also use them naturally in context.

Mid-unit and final progress checks

As in earlier units, two progress checks help measure learning:

• Lesson 6: A short quiz reviewing school objects, numbers 16–20, and simple sentences with c’est.
• Lesson 13: A final quiz testing vocabulary, listening, and short written tasks (≥50% to pass).

These checks are short, visual, and child-friendly. They provide reassurance for parents and a sense of achievement for learners.

Cultural connection

School is central to a child’s life, and French schools have their own traditions. In this unit, children discover that French students always greet the teacher with Bonjour when entering the classroom. They may also learn about the cour de récréation (playground), a special place for games and socializing. These cultural details give children a more authentic connection to French learning.

Benefits for your child

• Useful vocabulary: Words related to school objects, teachers, and classmates.
• Interactive practice: Role-plays, games, and short listening tasks.
• Grammar in action: Use of c’est and ce sont in real contexts.
• Confidence: Children can describe their classroom and talk about their school.
• Cultural insight: Awareness of French classroom routines.

A foundation for continued learning

This unit on French school vocabulary for children builds naturally on the previous units. After learning how to describe themselves, their family, and their home, children can now describe their school environment. This progression creates a solid foundation for later units that cover toys, food, and daily routines.

By the end of the unit, your child will be able to speak about familiar objects and people in the school setting, interact in short dialogues, and feel more confident about using French in real-life situations.

Conclusion

French school vocabulary for children is not just about memorizing words; it is about creating connections between language and the child’s real environment. With playful activities, role-plays, and short progress checks, children learn how to talk about school in French in a natural and interactive way. This unit reassures parents by providing structure while giving learners the joy of discovering French step by step.

With this unit, the classroom becomes more than a place to study—it becomes a stage for real communication in French.