Updates and case studies

I've been fairly bust working on new resources recently, with an empahasis on exam-related intermediate (GCSE/IGCSE) level work.

Papers often include questions where students have to idemtify an attitude, opinion or point of view. I have written a resource on this with 100 statements covering a range of topics. Students could read through these, identify if they are positive, negative or neutral. This would make a very good 20 minute reading task, plus any time for correcting. I have provided an answer key.

Another common format is gap-filling to test comprehension. I have done two separate resources on this, each with a slightly different format. Answer key provided.

I have just uploaded an article with exercises on Sting. Apparently he has said he will not bequeath his fortune to his children. He says it would be an albatross around their necks.  

Other recent additions include a near beginner parallel reading task on vampires. I hope that's not too creepy.

For advanced level I have written something on video surveillance, together with exercises. This would suit 17-18 year-olds. Also for A-level there is a translation from French to English on the topic of integration and multiculturalism, always a favourite with examiners and with good reason.

For adult learners I have posted an example of an official letter from a bank with questions in English. 

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Next, a couple more schools have responded to a request for "case studies", basically how they use frenchteacher.net in their schools. I am grateful to Katharine Day and Catherine McBride for writing to me.


1.   Paston Sixth Form College, Norfolk, England

I have been using frenchteacher.net for several years now and have always found it invaluable for my AS and A level teaching – all the more so as I am the only teacher of this subject in our Sixth Form College.

I use the site in many ways including:

• Using grammar exercises to reinforce points covered in class (not just A level; I use the basic material from Y9 upwards with my Advanced students). 
• Texts with exercises. I often set these for homework to consolidate A-level topics. I also set one of these per week as extra homework for the most able students. 
• Some of the slightly more unusual texts are a good basis for work in class. for example, I recently enjoyed using the Stuart Kennedy ‘fait divers’ sheet with my AS group who needed to revise the passive. 
• The question booklet for the AS oral exam is excellent as a basis for discussing ideas and helping students prepare for the exam. 

2.   Ibstock Place School, London

I am Head of Languages at Ibstock Place School in South West London, where all pupils study at least two languages to IGCSE.  We also have a large A Level cohort and send many pupils on to study langauge at university. 

Frenchteacher.net ALWAYS provides us with lesson materials for our pupils which are rigorous and well-thought out.  We prepare for CIE IGCSE and we are firm believers in a thorough grammatical grounding.  

We use the various grammar exercises in lessons, particularly year 9 and upwards and your A Level resources are used constantly.   There are plenty of differentiated activities, and we can pick and choose to suit the ability group.  I often use KS3 resources with my PVI groups for revision of basic tenses.

As an example of how I use the resources, I am just planning an A Level induction lesson for the current Y11 pupils who are coming back into school for some pre- A Level lessons next week; they will start A Level French in September.  I have downloaded the worksheet on stereotypes – I’m going to use it before reading an extract from Un Sac de Billes – so I will have all four skills covered in the 50 minutes, and frenchteacher.net has done all the planning for me!