Program Overview

Beginning in September of 6th grade students are immersed in the French language and the diversity of Francophone World. Students' ability to communicate skyrockets from September to June. A highlight of 6th grade is our annual field trip to a French restaurant where students get to order in French and try such specialities as escargots, crème brûlée and coq au vin.

In 7th grade students continue to build bigger ideas and understandings. Seventh graders communicate throughout the year with their pen pals in Lexington's sister city, Antony, France, and produce and perform two traditional plays.

In 8th grade students solidify their learning by building up their vocabulary and level of proficiency in the language. At the end of 8th grade students have the opportunity to travel to Québec where they will be able to experience rich cultural and linguistic activities to last a lifetime.

Students in 7th & 8th grade participate in Le Grand Concours, the National French Contest, each March which is organized by the American Association of Teachers of French. Every year students demonstrate great success as they compete on a national level. In addition to the grade specific learning opportunities, each year all students who study French participate in the Annual Bûche de Noël Bake-off, Saint-Nicolas, la fête des Rois, la Chandeleur, Mardi Gras, and Poisson d'avril.

The World Language Department at Diamond also plans World Language Week during which there are cultural celebrations, workshops and the Annual World Language Film Festival.

Students also have the incredible opportunity each year to welcome a musical artist from the Francophone World to school. We have been fortunate to work closely with Brice Kapel (Togo, France) in 2009, 2013, and 2016. Sidy Maïga (Mali) in 2017. Grand Dérangement (Acadie) in 2015. Samba Cisse (Sénégal) in 2013.