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Frenchteacher updates

I've been quite busy with the site lately and would like to keep you up to date with the latest resources. In addition, I have prepared a short survey, as I do from time to time, to get user feedback, which helps me develop the site further and respond to any issues raised.

The survey is here. It takes no more than five minutes and I'd be delighted if lots of people completed it.

By the way, there are currently around 1275 schools/teachers/tutors who subscribe to the site, mostly from the UK, but also from countries such as Canada, the USA, Ireland, China (Hong Kong), Dubai, France, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. At a rough guess, about a quarter to a third of English secondary schools (private, maintained and academies/frees) use frenchteacher.net. I know the resources do not support the full ability range - after all, the site originated in 2002 as a repository for materials I designed for my grammar school students. I am aware that some teachers take resources from a lower year group and use them with relatively less able older students.

In addition, because the vast majority of resources are in Word, they are easy to adapt and edit, which I am more than happy for people to do.

Recently added resources include:

  • An intermediate (GCSE) level video listening resource on smart phones. This worksheet links to one of the Les Enfants du 21e siècle series from La Maternelle on Youtube. They are quite amusing and provide some lovely authentic input at a simple level. Expect to see more worksheets based on these little videos.
  • Another video listening task, this time for low advanced level. This is from the Milan Presse 1jour1question series of cartoon videos about issues of the day presented for a younger audience. This one is about who creates fashions. Interesting stuff! I love these videos. They are quite fast, but clear and well illustrated.
  • A text and various exercises which could be used to introduce or revise the imperfect tense. Exercises include questions in French, some creative writing and gapfill. I think it is a good example of how you do a nearly 100% target language lesson alongside grammar practice.
  • A cartoon video listening on jobs. Intermediate level with a simple task: to tick off jobs the students hear from a list.
  • Another video listening based on a superb short film called Passé composé. This would suit A-level or adult learners. I really like this one!
  • An advanced text and exercises on African migrants who cross the Mediterranean. This is a personal account, with vocabulary and various tasks for the students to do. It would clearly work well with the topic of immigration.
  • An advanced text and exercises on the relationship between social class and educational achievement. This is perfectly pitched for A2 level in England and Wales. Article, vocabulary, questions in French, translation both ways, oral work and gapfill. I have also posted this as a free sample.

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