The French School of Austin String Program

At the French School of Austin Ecole Jean Jacques Rousseau, children participate in a diverse arts program that includes mandatory study of the violin. The program guides students in developing both musicianship and performance skills. The string program at the French School of Austin Ecole Jean Jacques Rousseau is a progressive course of study that centers on the Suzuki method. 

Students typically enter the string program through the beginning string class, which welcomes children aged 5 and 6 as well as those transferring into the program from other schools. Students then progress to levels I, II, and III at a pace set by their individual progress. 

When students reach Suzuki Book IV, they can progress to the chamber music class, which focuses on ensemble work and includes solo performance, ear training, and music theory. 

Students who are particularly serious about music and who have completed at least one year of study can take String Conservatory Level by audition or invitation. Students in this program attend two lessons per week in addition to monthly theory and master classes. The students later have two ensemble performances and two solo performances.

Why Learn Multiple Languages?

Ecole Jean Jacques Rousseau, also known as the French School of Austin, provides multilingual education from preschool through eighth grade. Many students at Ecole Jean Jacques Rousseau graduate speaking three languages, and six major languages are represented in its student body.

Speaking multiple languages doesn't just equip these young people to converse with those in other nations, it provides health and social benefits that last a lifetime. Those who speak multiple languages generally develop better attention spans and improved multitasking abilities, and face lower risks of stroke than monolingual speakers. They also experience cognitive decline at a slower rate than those who only know one language, often experience delayed onset of common aging-related diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia, and have lower stress levels than the general population.

Bilingualism also often correlates with open-mindedness. Bilinguals typically deal with environmental changes more effectively than their monolingual counterparts, and are more open to new experiences.