Luc Chatel wants to raise 3 year olds awareness of English, not actually teach the language

EDUCATION Minister Luc Chatel has climbed down over his controversial assertion last month that he wanted children to learn English from three years old.

Speaking at a languages conference in Paris, Expolangues, he said he was just talking about “raising children’s awareness” of English (sensibilisation), not actual “teaching”; a vaguer notion that
some experts say could be done as part of the existing primary school curriculum.

At present, language teaching is supposed to begin at seven; however, while it is consistent by the end of primary school (age 10), many schools reportedly have little or no real language teaching at this age. Some critics have said it would be better for the ministry to make sure its current rules are followed before introducing stricter ones.

via www.connexionfrance.com