Understanding Les Petits Imaginaires' Teaching Approach
- Luca Brussouw
- Jan 11
- 4 min read
Children learn language best when they feel safe, supported, and free to express themselves.
For this reason, our approach is inspired by the Natural Approach and Community Language Teaching (CLT), two methodologies that emphasise real-life communication and meaningful interaction.
Our team is trained in interaction-based learning
At the core of Les Petits Imaginaires education is a deep respect for each child’s individuality while maining a community in our classrooms.
It’s not about rushing through milestones or ticking boxes on a checklist. Instead, it’s about honouring the natural rhythm of childhood.
Their teaching approach is child-centred, meaning the curriculum adapts to the interests and needs of the children rather than forcing children to fit into a rigid programme. This flexibility encourages curiosity and joy in learning. For example, if a child shows fascination with insects, the teacher might weave that interest into storytelling, art, and even simple science experiments. This way, learning feels like a delightful adventure rather than a chore.
Practical tip: Try to observe what sparks your child’s curiosity during play or daily activities.
But What About Grammar?
Grammar. The question everyone asks, “How do you learn a language without it?”
The answer is surprisingly simple: better than you think.
Grammar isn’t something children truly absorb by memorising charts or rules; it develops through natural acquisition. When learners are surrounded by meaningful, real-life language, their brains begin recognising patterns automatically long before they can name them.
Later, once those patterns are familiar, grammar can be revisited, clarified, and refined. This mirrors how native speakers learn: first through use, then through understanding. It’s the reason many natives explain grammar as “just say what feels right.”
With time, exposure, and supportive revision, accuracy emerges naturally without turning language into a list of rules.
What Results Can We Expect?
Results naturally vary based on each child’s starting point, but within our Little Stars programme, families typically begin to see progress within the first three months. Most students first develop comprehensible input, meaning they can understand English more easily. Next, we commonly see growth in vocabulary retention, followed by steady gains in the speaking component. While our approach respects each child’s individual pace, we have observed this pattern consistently across our learners
The science behind our magic
Our approach is inspired by the research of linguist Stephen Krashen, who studied how children and adults naturally learn languages. His ideas help explain why children don’t need heavy grammar drills to become confident speakers.
Here are the key points in simple terms:
1. Children Learn Naturally Before They Learn Rules
Krashen says there are two ways to learn:
Acquisition: like a baby learns their first language by listening, understanding, and speaking naturally.
Learning: being told rules (e.g., grammar charts, verb tenses).
Real fluency comes from acquisition, not memorising rules.
2. Language Develops in a Natural Order
Children don’t learn grammar pieces in the order textbooks teach them. They first pick up simple patterns, then more complex ones.
This means we don’t need to teach grammar from “Unit 1 to Unit 10”; children will absorb what they’re ready for.
3. Fluency First, Corrections Later
Krashen found that:
Acquisition makes you speak
Learning only helps you correct yourself
Adults sometimes correct grammar using rules, but young children don’t, and that’s okay. They develop fluency first, accuracy after.
4. Input Comes Before Output
Krashen says children learn by receiving language they can understand, called “comprehensible input.”
When they hear language just one step above their level (often called “i+1”), their brain takes in new patterns naturally. When they are ready, speaking comes on its own.
5. Stress Affects Learning
Children learn best when they:
feel safe
are not embarrassed
are not pressured to perform
High stress blocks learning, but confidence opens the door.
This is why we prioritise:✔ encouragement
✔ connection
✔ low-pressure communication
What Does This Look Like in the Classroom?
Krashen’s work inspired strategies like TPR and TPRS, which use physical movement and storytelling to help children absorb language naturally.
These methods:
Make understanding easy
Reduce stress
Help children remember for the long term
Delay forced speaking until they are ready
Over time, reading and storytelling become key tools.
Language Is Meant to Be Lived
"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." — George Bernard Shaw
Language isn’t meant to be studied endlessly; it’s meant to be lived. You use it, speak it, and express yourself with it. Language connects people, and books connect ideas.
In our English programme, we focus on helping children see that language is a tool to explore, create, and live the life they dream of, not a barrier that holds them back
Regular communication is key. Teachers share stories and observations about each child’s progress, and parents are invited to share insights from home. This two-way dialogue helps tailor the learning experience to each child’s unique journey.
Workshops and events often bring families together, creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose. It’s like a little village where everyone’s role is important, and every voice is heard.
Practical advice: Keep an open line of communication with your child’s educators. Share your child’s interests and challenges, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or offer ideas.
I hope this glimpse into Les Petits Imaginaires has inspired you and given you a sense of the joy your child can experience while learning. Every child is unique, and with patience, kindness, and imagination, their potential can flourish beautifully.
Thank you for taking the time to explore our approach. May your days be filled with curiosity, and may your little ones grow and shine at their own pace.
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