French Teaching Tips and Tools
French teaching tips and tools: projects, classroom games, teaching combined classes, and more for French teachers.
First Day Teaching Ideas
What should you do on the first day of French class? Students may be new to language learning or coming back from vacation, so is it better to have some fun or dive right into grammar and vocabulary? Take a look a these excellent suggestions shared by teachers.
What should you do on the first day of French class? Students may be new to language learning or coming back from vacation, so is it better to have some fun or dive right into grammar and vocabulary? Take a look a these excellent suggestions shared by teachers.
French Class Phrases - Useful Phrases for French Class
To help students use as much French as possible in the classroom, here is a list of essential words and phrases related to comprehension and typical classroom requests, with sound files.
To help students use as much French as possible in the classroom, here is a list of essential words and phrases related to comprehension and typical classroom requests, with sound files.
French Only - How to keep your students speaking only French in class
In French classes, teachers usually want to encourage students to speak only in French. Practice makes perfect and the more French students speak in class the more they will learn and remember. However, it can be difficult to enforce French only - here are a variety of creative and effective techniques.
In French classes, teachers usually want to encourage students to speak only in French. Practice makes perfect and the more French students speak in class the more they will learn and remember. However, it can be difficult to enforce French only - here are a variety of creative and effective techniques.
Warm-Up Activities and Fillers
Most language teachers find that there is a bit of dead time during class. This may occur at the beginning of class, as the students are arriving; at the end of class, as they are thinking about leaving; and right in the middle of class, when transitioning from one lesson to another. During this dead time, the best option is to spend five or ten minutes on a short, interesting activity.
Most language teachers find that there is a bit of dead time during class. This may occur at the beginning of class, as the students are arriving; at the end of class, as they are thinking about leaving; and right in the middle of class, when transitioning from one lesson to another. During this dead time, the best option is to spend five or ten minutes on a short, interesting activity.
Combined-Level French Classes
Combining different levels of French classes is fine for the school budget, but it can be very tricky for French teachers to meet the needs of both levels. Here are some ideas to keep your sanity and make class interesting for your students.
Combining different levels of French classes is fine for the school budget, but it can be very tricky for French teachers to meet the needs of both levels. Here are some ideas to keep your sanity and make class interesting for your students.
Profs de français Forum
Don't miss this forum just for French teachers. You can trade ideas, find inspiration, share lesson plans, or just commiserate with other French teachers. Come take a look!
Don't miss this forum just for French teachers. You can trade ideas, find inspiration, share lesson plans, or just commiserate with other French teachers. Come take a look!
French Proofreading and Editing Tips
Whether re-checking homework, proofreading a paper, or verifying a translation, there are key problem areas to look at. This list indicates areas of confusion and common mistakes and has links to explanations. Before you turn it in, check your work.
Whether re-checking homework, proofreading a paper, or verifying a translation, there are key problem areas to look at. This list indicates areas of confusion and common mistakes and has links to explanations. Before you turn it in, check your work.
French-Speaking Celebrities
If your students don't see any point in learning French, maybe Jodie Foster and Johnny Depp can help: we've compiled a list of famous non-native French speakers around the world - if your students know how many cool people speak French, they might realize how cool French really is!
If your students don't see any point in learning French, maybe Jodie Foster and Johnny Depp can help: we've compiled a list of famous non-native French speakers around the world - if your students know how many cool people speak French, they might realize how cool French really is!
Tools for French Teachers
Recommended learning and teaching tools for kids as well as beginning, intermediate, and advanced students, including dictionaires, grammar books, software, and audio resources.
Recommended learning and teaching tools for kids as well as beginning, intermediate, and advanced students, including dictionaires, grammar books, software, and audio resources.
Spanish is Easier than French... Not!
There is a common myth among English speakers that Spanish is easier than French. In reality, there are "more difficult than" elements in both. Here is a detailed comparison of the two languages - use it to convince your students!
There is a common myth among English speakers that Spanish is easier than French. In reality, there are "more difficult than" elements in both. Here is a detailed comparison of the two languages - use it to convince your students!
Audiomagazine - Champs-Élysées
Champs-Élysées is an audiomagazine aimed at intermediate and advanced French students, but is versatile enough to be used by independent students, homeschoolers, teachers, travelers, or anyone else interested in regular French listening practice.
Champs-Élysées is an audiomagazine aimed at intermediate and advanced French students, but is versatile enough to be used by independent students, homeschoolers, teachers, travelers, or anyone else interested in regular French listening practice.
Les Portes Tordues
This bilingual story (French-English) plus grammar book all in one is aimed at upper beginning- to intermediate-level students. Click the above link for ideas on using this book in the classroom, or read my review.
This bilingual story (French-English) plus grammar book all in one is aimed at upper beginning- to intermediate-level students. Click the above link for ideas on using this book in the classroom, or read my review.
Back to School - French Class
A new school year is always just around the corner - time to dust off last year's French notes and figure out whatever happened to that beat-up old dictionary. Here are links to general info, lessons, online resources, and recommended tools and supplies.
A new school year is always just around the corner - time to dust off last year's French notes and figure out whatever happened to that beat-up old dictionary. Here are links to general info, lessons, online resources, and recommended tools and supplies.
National French Week
National French Week is an annual celebration of French language and francophone cultures, and a perfect opportunity to organize in-class and/or extracurricular events for current or potential students. Take a look at this page for ideas.
National French Week is an annual celebration of French language and francophone cultures, and a perfect opportunity to organize in-class and/or extracurricular events for current or potential students. Take a look at this page for ideas.
Classroom Games
Assorted games to make French class a bit more interesting and interactive.
Assorted games to make French class a bit more interesting and interactive.
French Projects
Language classes are as fun or as boring as the teacher and students make them. These project ideas are suitable for traditional French classes, homeschoolers, and independent-study students looking to spice up their self-instruction.
Language classes are as fun or as boring as the teacher and students make them. These project ideas are suitable for traditional French classes, homeschoolers, and independent-study students looking to spice up their self-instruction.
Jobs Using French - Teaching
Thinking about becoming a French teacher? Read this article to find out more about your options and where to begin your research.
Thinking about becoming a French teacher? Read this article to find out more about your options and where to begin your research.
French Teaching Resources
An annotated list of all the teaching resources on this site, including lesson ideas, games, non-net resources, and more.
An annotated list of all the teaching resources on this site, including lesson ideas, games, non-net resources, and more.
Secondary School Educators
Resources for 7-12th grade teachers of all subjects, from About.com guide Melissa Kelly.
Resources for 7-12th grade teachers of all subjects, from About.com guide Melissa Kelly.
Les Lettres sur l'internet
Miscellaneous information about teaching French, including a lexicon of literary terms and advice for passing the BAC.
Miscellaneous information about teaching French, including a lexicon of literary terms and advice for passing the BAC.