Thank you to the 85 teachers who completed the short Survey Monkey survey for me. My previous surveys attracted a similar number of respondents. Thanks also for the many kind comments teachers left, some of which I have added to my Testimonials page.
You may be interested in the responses. I read and take on board all individual comments.
Main findings
The A-level section remains the most widely used with nearly 90% of respondents recording that they use this section of the site. The GCSE/intermediate section is the next most popular, with over 50% using this. 20% use the Y9 section and fewer still use the Y8 and Y7/Primary sections. I was interested to see that 13% of respondents said they use the resources with primary age children. My Adult Student section, which I created after a request to do so, is relatively new, so I am pleased to see it in regular use. 10% of subscribers said they used it.
97% said they found the site easy to navigate. This is a potential issue for me as the site is so large.
Video listening: over 70% of respondents said they used these. I am pleased about that. They have only been online for a couple of years. I must say that if I were still teaching I would use these a lot for independent and class listening.
Teacher's guide pages: over 60% recorded that they use these.
Links pages: 57% said they use these.
Teacher's handbook: 30% said that they had read or downloaded the teacher's handbook. One respondent said that his department use pages from this for discussion. I am gratified by that. That is precisely how I thought they might be used. I wonder how many users have not yet picked up on this 70 page free handbook. It is on the Free Samples page.
Possible improvements to the site: well, I might as well copy those comments in so you can see the range of them. To be honest, the only one which really gets mentioned more than a couple of times, is the desire to see more teacher's answers. This has come up in previous surveys too. Since the last survey I added a lot of answer keys to A-level grammar exercises and I now routinely give teacher's answers to new resources I make. However, the task of producing these for older resources which go back several years would be so mammoth, that I do not intend to take it on. I would rather spend time writing new stuff. In any case, answers to "text + exercise" worksheets would often contain multiple options. In short, I'm afraid it will be up to teachers to provide answers to many of the tasks. For those who do self study with the worksheets - sorry!
If I draw anything else from the comments, it is perhaps that I should aim to focus a little more on KS3, particularly as the A-level section is already so laden with resources.
For the one or two respondents who would like to see more German and Spanish, I can only refer them to the title of site. There is clearly a market for something similar for German and Spanish. Retirement project anyone?
As regards recorded listening material on the site (listening with sound): the site is for teachers to use. I do not want students logging on to it directly for password security reasons. This is spelled out in the Terms and Conditions.
With regard to more realia/pictures for younger learners, this would be complex for copyright reasons as I am not skilled enough to make my own!
Controlled assessment model essays: I have balked at this so far for fear they would be misused - how cynical of me!
More A-level literature/poetry/film: I am reluctant to spend a lot of time on resources for one work or author which would only be used by a very small number of teachers. The existing ones were written when I was teaching my own classes. Steve Glover does this sort of thing very well: www.alevelfrench.com. I recommend it!
Search facility: I have only recently noticed that this works very poorly if at all. I have asked my web designer to look at this.
More current affairs: there is a problem with shelf life with these. I prefer to produce resources which can be used for a few years if possible.
Primary French: I would like more primary schools to use the site, but I do not think that is my area of expertise, especially with the younger pupils. I do intend to develop further the Y7/primary page.
Weaker learners: I have always been aware that the resources tend to suit middle to higher ability learners, especially the latter. The site began as a resource repository for my grammar school classes. I shall keep this in mind and attempt to increase the number of easier tasks. I have already been doing this to an extent.
SEN: I am afraid I have nil expertise on this
Differentiated tasks: I shall keep this in mind.
More verb drills: nice to know there are fans of "drill and kill". I am too, when it is done well. I shall keep this in mind.
For the record, these are the suggestions people made:
You may be interested in the responses. I read and take on board all individual comments.
Main findings
The A-level section remains the most widely used with nearly 90% of respondents recording that they use this section of the site. The GCSE/intermediate section is the next most popular, with over 50% using this. 20% use the Y9 section and fewer still use the Y8 and Y7/Primary sections. I was interested to see that 13% of respondents said they use the resources with primary age children. My Adult Student section, which I created after a request to do so, is relatively new, so I am pleased to see it in regular use. 10% of subscribers said they used it.
97% said they found the site easy to navigate. This is a potential issue for me as the site is so large.
Video listening: over 70% of respondents said they used these. I am pleased about that. They have only been online for a couple of years. I must say that if I were still teaching I would use these a lot for independent and class listening.
Teacher's guide pages: over 60% recorded that they use these.
Links pages: 57% said they use these.
Teacher's handbook: 30% said that they had read or downloaded the teacher's handbook. One respondent said that his department use pages from this for discussion. I am gratified by that. That is precisely how I thought they might be used. I wonder how many users have not yet picked up on this 70 page free handbook. It is on the Free Samples page.
Possible improvements to the site: well, I might as well copy those comments in so you can see the range of them. To be honest, the only one which really gets mentioned more than a couple of times, is the desire to see more teacher's answers. This has come up in previous surveys too. Since the last survey I added a lot of answer keys to A-level grammar exercises and I now routinely give teacher's answers to new resources I make. However, the task of producing these for older resources which go back several years would be so mammoth, that I do not intend to take it on. I would rather spend time writing new stuff. In any case, answers to "text + exercise" worksheets would often contain multiple options. In short, I'm afraid it will be up to teachers to provide answers to many of the tasks. For those who do self study with the worksheets - sorry!
If I draw anything else from the comments, it is perhaps that I should aim to focus a little more on KS3, particularly as the A-level section is already so laden with resources.
For the one or two respondents who would like to see more German and Spanish, I can only refer them to the title of site. There is clearly a market for something similar for German and Spanish. Retirement project anyone?
As regards recorded listening material on the site (listening with sound): the site is for teachers to use. I do not want students logging on to it directly for password security reasons. This is spelled out in the Terms and Conditions.
With regard to more realia/pictures for younger learners, this would be complex for copyright reasons as I am not skilled enough to make my own!
Controlled assessment model essays: I have balked at this so far for fear they would be misused - how cynical of me!
More A-level literature/poetry/film: I am reluctant to spend a lot of time on resources for one work or author which would only be used by a very small number of teachers. The existing ones were written when I was teaching my own classes. Steve Glover does this sort of thing very well: www.alevelfrench.com. I recommend it!
Search facility: I have only recently noticed that this works very poorly if at all. I have asked my web designer to look at this.
More current affairs: there is a problem with shelf life with these. I prefer to produce resources which can be used for a few years if possible.
Primary French: I would like more primary schools to use the site, but I do not think that is my area of expertise, especially with the younger pupils. I do intend to develop further the Y7/primary page.
Weaker learners: I have always been aware that the resources tend to suit middle to higher ability learners, especially the latter. The site began as a resource repository for my grammar school classes. I shall keep this in mind and attempt to increase the number of easier tasks. I have already been doing this to an extent.
SEN: I am afraid I have nil expertise on this
Differentiated tasks: I shall keep this in mind.
More verb drills: nice to know there are fans of "drill and kill". I am too, when it is done well. I shall keep this in mind.
For the record, these are the suggestions people made:
Spanish/German resources.
More for GCSE - model essays for controlled assessments perhaps. (see above)
Primary.
I think the KS3 sections have been developed a lot lately but more would be appreciated.
More verbs drills please (see above)
You have been developing adults and that has been very useful. I would like some 'starters' - things to get them talking/role plays (but not too simple)/pictures to talk about? (noted)
A level poetry (Prévert in particular). (see above)
KS2 French.
Adult beginner /lower intermediate.
Primary French.
Perhaps for self-learners, and those putting ourselves through the exams, more answers to the exercises could be included (I am self-marking).
A level Some articles/exercises which cater for middle ability/less able AS/A2 pupils.
Continuation of Year 7 resources - as this is where I do most of my French teaching.
Would also be interested in German resources to similar standard of quality.
Spanish.
Numbers worksheets.
Would be nice to have the answers as it would save time.
More on AL literature (See above)
It would be amazing to have the answers to all the comprehensions.
More reading tests (Tests? Lots of reading already - not quite sure what is requested there)
More for GCSE - model essays for controlled assessments perhaps. (see above)
Primary.
I think the KS3 sections have been developed a lot lately but more would be appreciated.
More verbs drills please (see above)
You have been developing adults and that has been very useful. I would like some 'starters' - things to get them talking/role plays (but not too simple)/pictures to talk about? (noted)
A level poetry (Prévert in particular). (see above)
KS2 French.
Adult beginner /lower intermediate.
Primary French.
Perhaps for self-learners, and those putting ourselves through the exams, more answers to the exercises could be included (I am self-marking).
A level Some articles/exercises which cater for middle ability/less able AS/A2 pupils.
Continuation of Year 7 resources - as this is where I do most of my French teaching.
Would also be interested in German resources to similar standard of quality.
Spanish.
Numbers worksheets.
Would be nice to have the answers as it would save time.
More on AL literature (See above)
It would be amazing to have the answers to all the comprehensions.
More reading tests (Tests? Lots of reading already - not quite sure what is requested there)
Yes, I teach French to adults from beginners to advanced and like to use articles/texts based on recent news/events as a base for discussion. I often prepare these myself but this can be time-consuming. It would be good to be able to find a continuous fresh supply! I am always looking for interesting, unusual or fun news as most news tend to be depressing. (see above)
I have to give Skype lessons for a year 8 student who is being home schooled. Some ideas for doing this more effectively would be great. Thank you! (Not sure what to advise)
It would be good if there were still more reading exercises. They are great for homework. Also I'd like to see more reading exercise for year 7 cover or homework.
I would love to see more listening activities and a few more of the activities where there are texts and then translation activities. My student finds these really useful.
Maybe grammar in action, e.g. texts with a specific grammatical focus or work to do - often there is vocabulary work to do with a text, then some comprehension questions, but no moving on pupils
to reuse phrases for themselves, changing them around, etc.(Noted!)
Search facility (See above) Work for weaker learners (See above)
Ideas for authentic materials for all KS but especially suitable for KS3 (Not quite sure what this means)
IB SL/HL French? (I think the A-level resources are a good fit with IB)
More speaking and listening activities perhaps and more realia within that.
A2 translation (noted - let's see what the new specs bring in 2016)
Videos for use with Year 7-9 (there are already a few, but they are hard to source - I have tried and will try again)
Listening and video exploitation including songs (Already quite a few, more to come, I am sure) More Year 7
Easier listenings in KS3 (noted - hard to source)
Could you please create answer keys to the reading texts and or any resources. That would be SO helpful!
Answer sheets please!
Translations on current affairs too please! (See above)
More videos and activities
More higher activities for MAT students
Different films. Maybe something on terrorism for WJEC board
More listening exercises please
Answers to comprehensions plus suggested translations for the English to French translations
SEN provision and further differentiated tasks (See above)
Listening with sound (See above)
I have to give Skype lessons for a year 8 student who is being home schooled. Some ideas for doing this more effectively would be great. Thank you! (Not sure what to advise)
It would be good if there were still more reading exercises. They are great for homework. Also I'd like to see more reading exercise for year 7 cover or homework.
I would love to see more listening activities and a few more of the activities where there are texts and then translation activities. My student finds these really useful.
Maybe grammar in action, e.g. texts with a specific grammatical focus or work to do - often there is vocabulary work to do with a text, then some comprehension questions, but no moving on pupils
to reuse phrases for themselves, changing them around, etc.(Noted!)
Search facility (See above) Work for weaker learners (See above)
Ideas for authentic materials for all KS but especially suitable for KS3 (Not quite sure what this means)
IB SL/HL French? (I think the A-level resources are a good fit with IB)
More speaking and listening activities perhaps and more realia within that.
A2 translation (noted - let's see what the new specs bring in 2016)
Videos for use with Year 7-9 (there are already a few, but they are hard to source - I have tried and will try again)
Listening and video exploitation including songs (Already quite a few, more to come, I am sure) More Year 7
Easier listenings in KS3 (noted - hard to source)
Could you please create answer keys to the reading texts and or any resources. That would be SO helpful!
Answer sheets please!
Translations on current affairs too please! (See above)
More videos and activities
More higher activities for MAT students
Different films. Maybe something on terrorism for WJEC board
More listening exercises please
Answers to comprehensions plus suggested translations for the English to French translations
SEN provision and further differentiated tasks (See above)
Listening with sound (See above)
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