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Review: Ilini videos

https://ilini.com/

Update August 2017: since this post was written this site now offers two levels - a free section and a monthly, fully-featured subscription.

@iliniFrench

This is a promising new site, currently in Beta, which features regularly updated, advanced level French videos, complete with sub-titles, downloadable, translated transcripts and optional English translations.

The content so far would suit adult learners and advanced level students. Each authentic video lasts under two minutes and topics available so far include:
  • A glass wall to protect the Eiffel Tower
  • A French woman crowned Miss Universe (oh dear!)
  • A record year for French car-maker Renault
  • Emmanuel Macron's supporters
  • Women in cinema
  • A farmer gettinga suspended sentence for helping migrants
  • The François Fillon scandal
  • The presidential election
  • The 2015 Paris climate conference

The videos are sourced from the likes of France 24, BFM and Euronews (copyright?). For each video you can download a pdf with the transcript and its translation, along with a second sheet on which you can record any vocabulary you wish.

The most useful aspect for teachers is the transcript from which you could design exercises such as gap-fill. The fact they are in pdf makes this more fiddly, but still feasible.

A free sign-up is required.

The webmasters say:


"We help you learn languages the natural way We bring you short, real-life videos in French and English with interactive subtitles and an integrated dictionary. In one click, you can save lists of vocabulary in your personal space. You can then come back later, rehearse or print them out.

We are currently in beta! This means that we are intensively working on the website and gathering feedback. We aspire to become the best place to improve your vocabulary with no pain. Join us, if you haven't done so already! Ilini is also available for French speakers learning English on fr.ilini.com."

One might assume that at some point they will monetise the site in some form or other, but for now A-level teachers might get some use out of the material.

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