Five ways to embrace French

Cinq moyens d’intégrer

le français

 . . . in your classroom | . . . dans votre classe

1.               Be a positive role model

Speak with the French teachers (and Francophone visitors) en français—and let your students hear you! If your French abilities are limited, it will encourage your students to know that you have to try hard (and make mistakes) too. Not to mention that you’ll be showing them that learning French is important to you. Learning a new language can be hard… but it can also be worthwhile and fun!

2.               Integrate French

Use your creativity to think of logical ways to integrate French study with your other curriculum strands. Medieval history? How about a play for children about Medieval France en français, or reading a Medieval French text aloud alongside an Old English one to look at how languages evolve. Studying Canadian government? Take a look at simultaneous translation technologies and the importance of bilingualism in politics and the federal civil service.

3.               Make connections

Keep French in the foreground. There are many opportunities that present themselves everyday, if you think about it. In addition to adding specific French elements to your class and curriculum, take advantage of opportunities to draw attention to Francophones, bilingualism, and French culture in Canada. For example, initiate discussions about how Canadians in the news—like hockey teams, figure-skating pairs and astronauts—work together in both languages.

4.               Books, audio, video

Include French books and magazines in your classroom library, especially some of the children’s classics written in French. When looking for public library resources for class projects, request some French books. Seek advice from the children’s librarian, French teacher or a bilingual parent on selecting titles at the appropriate reading level. Also look for audio-visual resources in French, or bilingual options. Many DVDs have several language options; consider watching in French.

5.               Have fun with French

Make French a part of phys. ed. and special activities, and encourage use of French in the yard and on field trips. Some examples:

•     learn the French words for sports equipment and keep score in French

•     make Valentine’s crafts with French words and phrases (très romantique!)

•     challenge your students to use French numbers when counting for hopscotch,  skipping, and other games

•     make a game of reading and translating the French signs you see on a field trip

•     take advantage of the French resources in museums and other field trip destinations