The Language and Laughter Studio

My two daughters attended the Language and Laughter Studio’s Mini Maternelle program, and I have only positive things to say about the school. The teachers at LLS create a magical, nurturing environment for children, and guide them to exploring themselves, and the world. For the youngest children, they gently introduce them to socializing with others. For the older kids, they build on the spirit of collaboration, and do a wonderful job of mixing age groups (the older ones get to teach the younger ones). The artwork they teach the kids is so inspiring, and I feel like my older daughter found her identity as an artist at LLS. She fondly remembers her teachers there, although now she is in primary school. It is a truly French Immersion environment, and is wonderful for both French speakers and Anglophones. So glad my little one is still young enough to go to school there!

Our son attended LLS for 2 years. He received a solid foundation to test into the french dlp program offered in Public schools now. LLS is very well run. There is constant, useful communication from the teachers in supporting your expanding kids minds. It’s also a very nurturing environment. Child/​teacher ratio was good and the weekly lessons are both interesting and fun for both kids and participating parents. A lot of thought goes into the curriculum and it’s not a drop off babysitting/​nursery mentality. Kids are constantly learning by thoughtful, fun activities. I’ve never heard any negatives or disgruntled feedback from parents. Pascale does her best to guide and mentor parents that want their kids to have the gift of a 2^nd language.

Our daughter attended the French Immersion program for 2 years. We were nervous in the first year in the program as she was one of the youngest kids in her class. Needless to say that nervousness was completely unnecessary. Claire, Emilie (year 1) and Christelle (year 2) ensured that our daughter was constantly challenged in such a nourishing and loving environment. Pascale communicated with us frequently and provided, not only a wonderful place for our daughter to learn French (and more importantly, people skills), but also an inviting community of people who welcomed 2 non-​French speaking parents into this world.
After just a few months, we could see that our daughter had a full grasp of the language. After 2 years people tell us she speaks like a native speaker. She was accepted as a native speaker in an NYC DLP. She was also later accepted at the ISB in Boston (again as a native speaker).
We have 2 regrets… 1, that LLS doesn’t extend through Middle School and beyond… And 2, that we’ve left the area and our son will not be able to have the same exposure to such an awesome environment for play and learning.

My daughter attended this amazing pre-​school for two years. Although i myself am French, i had neglected to speak to her in my native language. After two years in this french immersion program, my daughter spoke so well that was accepted to the Lycée Francais in Manhattan. The application process for the Lycée Francais included a rigorous French-​speaking evaluation and my daughter spoke and understood everything like a native speaker. Not only did my child learn another language fluently at LLS, she was immersed into the most loving and most artistic school i could have ever dreamed of for her. Her experience there was so supportive and so positive, I have enrolled my younger child to attend LLS as well. I would recommend this school highly to people who want their kids to be in a progressive, play based environment with a heavy emphasis on arts and crafts. This school offers the best of current American educational ideas (Bank Street) and none of the rote memorization and color-​by-​numbers that French schools often impose on children.

My two son’s have separately been at Language and Laughter, 8 years ago my older son attended each week an after shool program for 6 years. His first camp experience was at LLS, it was so creative and fun ! My younger son attended 2 years of preschool and we were thrilled with that experience as well! his french is impeccable ! My only wish is that their was an elementary School by LLS. I highly recommend to anyone looking to expose their child to a different language or to have their child improve in french.
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Our two sons attended LLS for two years and had a great experience. The staff is excellent, warm and very knowledgeable, both about progressive education and bilingual education. Our kids’ French is great and their vocabulary rich. Pascale has been great about meeting with us to discuss our children’s’ progress as well as different Kindergarten options.
LLS strives to create a community both among the parents and the children and we have met many wonderful families through the school.
I feel confident that my children have gained both the academic and emotional skills to continue onto Kindergarten. I highly recommend LLS to anyone who wants their child to learn French from a loving, creative and dedicated group of professionals.

Our daughter did a French 2’s program at LLS one summer, she did an LLS French-​language music program when a bit older and now at age 9 she has been doing semi-​private French lessons through LLS. We’ve consistently had excellent experiences in all our dealings with LLS. Our daughter learned an enormous amount through creative activity without being aware that she was learning. LLS uses music, theater, art and games as a way for kids to access language, and it works. We still have our CDs from music class and have a framed piece of our toddler’s art (entitled «Mon Visage»!) in our bedroom. Now our daughter is interested in learning the spelling and grammar and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Also — I have liked all of the staff at LLS and found them smart, down to earth, easy to deal with. They really care about the kids and are enthusiastic about what they are doing. For context, we are NOT a bilingual family; this is truly a foreign language for her. The only drawback there has ever been for us is that when she was in the younger programs, it seemed like most of the kids already spoke French, and at a certain point that made her feel left out or self-​conscious or like she couldn’t engage as readily as the others. That’s not a reflection on LLS though.

Our son attended the LLS Mini-​Maternelle program for 2 years and it was the most amazing, loving, kind and educational environment we could have hoped for.
Pascale’s program nurtured his curiosity, taught him autonomy and ignited his creativity.
The French immersion was exactly what we were looking for and our son bonded with his teachers and school mates in a way we have not experienced since.
All the carefully crafted parts of her program have given him a powerful platform to continue on to primary school.
I would unreservedly recommend LLS and their programs to anyone.
Sincerely
Julien