branches in the background left branches in the background right
Language and cultural guide: French

Language and cultural guide: French

Language experts agree that language learning is most effective when language and culture are linked. The Polyglots apps aim to spark children’s interest in both French language and culture through play. This guide provides some general information about France and French culture and language that may be of interest to you and may extend children’s learning.

About France

Metropolitan France, known as ‘the hexagon’ for its shape, is the largest country in Western Europe. It has borders with Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Germany and Spain. About 66 million people live there (in comparison, about 23 million people live in Australia). There are also overseas departments of France – French territory in places such as French Polynesia and New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean.

Early childhood education in France

Nursery school in France caters for children 2–6 years old. It is part of the primary education system and there is a strong focus on structured learning in reading, writing and numbers as well as creative activities and games. More than 95 per cent of French children attend early childhood education.Footnote 1

Language

French is spoken by approximately 220 million people in 42 countries around the world. It is the second most widely learned language in the world after English. Originally, there were many regional French dialects, and outside ‘the hexagon’ there are many variations, such as African French, Vietnamese French and Canadian French. French is a gendered language, which means most nouns are masculine or feminine.

Culture

Many ethnic groups from former French colonies contribute to French culture, in particular to the rich variety of food available. North African couscous has become a national French dish. A large number of French people are Roman Catholics but many other religions are practised in France.

Politeness and customs

  • In France, say hello (‘Bonjour monsieur’ or ‘Bonjour madame’) when you first meet someone, and shake their hand. When you are leaving, say goodbye (‘Au revoir’) and shake their hand again.
  • In a small shop you should say hello and goodbye to the person serving.
  • When you first meet someone, use the formal address (vous) until asked to use the familiar form (tu). Likewise, don’t use a given name until invited. However, adults always speak informally and use given names with children.
  • Friends and family greet and farewell each other with a kiss on both cheeks. If someone offers their cheek, you are invited to this level of intimacy.
  • Pointing or beckoning with your index finger is considered rude. Use your open hand to indicate.
  • French children are expected to be well behaved in a social setting. There is no such thing as a ‘children’s menu’ at a restaurant.

Culture in the Polyglots apps

As children play with the apps, they can discover fun and intriguing French cultural references such as a croissant, cheese and snail (escargot). You can learn more about the cultural references in each app’s overview support document (for example, App 1: The Polyglots: Playroom – French).

Interesting topics

Animals

  • Deer and wild boar (relatives of domestic pigs) live in the forests.
  • Antelope and brown bears can be found in the mountains.
  • Millions of migrating birds stop over on the Mediterranean coastline, including thousands of pink flamingoes.
  • French people love pets, and can take their dogs to restaurants with them.

Arts

Food

Food has a special role in French culture. Traditionally, meals were leisurely and had many courses but today long meals are for special occasions. Even so, sharing a meal with family every day is very important. French people shop daily for food, usually from local markets and small shops. Discussion about regional foods is common.

Sports

  • The most popular game in France is football (soccer), followed by tennis.
  • The Tour de France bike race zigzags across France every summer.
  • Skiing is very popular in the French Alps in winter.

Games

Traditional games include:

  • escargot: similar to hopscotch but in the shape of a snail
  • bilboquet: catching a ball that is attached by string to a cup
  • boules (or pétanque): throwing a large ball to come near a smaller one.

Places

France is the most popular tourist destination in the world.

  • Paris, the capital city of France, is known for its art galleries, museums, restaurants, markets, elegant shops and river cruises.
  • There are many parks and gardens where people stroll and meet. A lot of people live in apartments, especially in cities, so they are used to accessing public places, promenading in the streets and catching public transport.
  • Every summer, an artificial beach is created on the banks of the river Seine in Paris, complete with deck chairs and beach umbrellas.
  • The French Riviera is known for its mild climate and beautiful coastline.
  • Provence is famous for its fields of lavender flowers, its olives and its perfume.

Famous monuments

Some of France’s most visited sites are:

  • Arc de Triomphe: a powerful triumphal arch at the top of the Champs Élysées in Paris that honours those who have fought for France
  • Carcassonne: a fairytale castle, complete with turrets and moat, in south-west France
  • Eiffel Tower: an iconic pointed tower made of iron for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris
  • The Louvre: a massive art gallery containing the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci as a star attraction
  • Notre Dame Cathedral: a Gothic building with towers and gargoyles
  • Pont du Gard: a huge Roman aqueduct in the south of France.

Seasons

France is in the northern hemisphere. It has a cool, temperate climate but each region has a microclimate, with snow in the mountains and early spring in the south.

Traditions

These are just a small selection of France’s many rich traditions:

  • Bastille Day on 14 July, which commemorates the French revolution, is celebrated with fireworks. The French national song ‘La Marseillaise’ is often sung. The red, white and blue French flag (le Tricolore) is displayed everywhere.
  • On April Fools’ day, children make paper fish and tape them secretly to other people’s backs.
  • Easter is in spring in France and many traditions symbolise new life and renewal, such as giving decorated eggs and placing spring blossom around the house.
  • At French weddings, it is traditional for someone to chop the top off bottles of champagne with a sword.

Note: This document contains content that has been gathered through independent research and consultation with subject matter experts. The figures and information included in this document should be reviewed for accuracy over time.

The ELLA program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training and is managed by Education Services Australia. © 2018 Commonwealth of Australia, unless otherwise indicated. This material may be used in accordance with the Creative Commons BY 4.0 licence, unless otherwise indicated.

Education Services Australia Limited ABN 18 007 342 421; Level 5 440 Collins Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia; www.esa.edu.au; [email protected]; +61 3 9207 9600; ELLA helpdesk 1800 468 303.