Time to switch off Eng channels?
Watching French TV can improve children's general level of their vocabulary
We’ve lived in France for four years and have English TV; should I consider insisting we change to French TV to help my children (aged 11, 13 and 15) learn the language or should I regard it as ‘chill-out’ time? J.T.
Many English-speaking families living in France subscribe to English channels. After a long day at school studying in French, it can be a chance for children to relax, not worry about understanding or translating everything and watch their favourite British or American programmes.
On the other hand, French television offers a chance to watch the same programmes as their classmates and to feel part of their peer group.
Cartoons and series on the dedicated children’s channel, Gulli, or reality shows like Koh-Lanta or Star Academy are popular.
While watching French television will not teach grammar, it can improve the general level of their vocabulary and give an example of typical speech patterns. In terms of increasing your children’s cultural knowledge of France I would recommend French television.
However, given the ages of your children, you should ask them what they think and if they all accept switching the television language.
English will always have an important role in your home as the children need cultural input from that side too.
Your children can, of course, also access English-language culture with dual-language dvds or listening to the radio, via the computer.
