My name is Christopher Palmer and I am a languages practitioner. I am now in my sixteenth year of teacher and I have a wealth of experience of liaising with the standard EdExcel GCSE French, Cambridge International GCSE French, EdExcel A-Level French, beginner's Mandarin courses and I am starting to become acquainted with IB French. I have published a vast array of resources which span Key Stage 2-5.
My name is Christopher Palmer and I am a languages practitioner. I am now in my sixteenth year of teacher and I have a wealth of experience of liaising with the standard EdExcel GCSE French, Cambridge International GCSE French, EdExcel A-Level French, beginner's Mandarin courses and I am starting to become acquainted with IB French. I have published a vast array of resources which span Key Stage 2-5.
This worksheet gives students the opportunity to build up on their vocabulary by searching for French synonyms and also further practise these new words. A very useful tool when developing learners' writing in preparation for the exam. This worksheet is geared towards very high achieving students, gifted and talented learners and learners whose native tongue is French.
This resource looks at general expressions that use the verb ‘faire’. It is particular useful at Key Stage 3, when students are becoming more acquainted with the verb ‘faire’ anf have already mastered the conjugation of the verb in the present tense.
There is a vocabulary sheet, followed by differentiated activities.
Happy teaching and learning!
A very useful handout to give to your students who are studying IGCSE or A-Level French.
This colourful handout explicitly outlines the six direct and indirect object pronouns both in the present tense and perfect tense, as well as the distinction between the direct object pronouns and the indirect object pronouns in the perfect tense. This resource is free, help yourself!
Happy teaching and learning!
Here is a colouring in poster that children can colour in when they are trying to become accustomed with negatives used with etre verbs.
Happy teaching and learning!
This resource explicitly looks at expressions when going shopping.
Get the students to read through the cartoon. At every slide, ask the questions to the class and get them to choose the correct answer. Ask the class why they choose that answer.
There are differentiated activities which follow.
I am happy to share this resource for free, which is a real treat for you.
Happy teaching and learning!
Unit 1: Family Members
Activity 1-1: Mum and Dad
This activity is designed for children in their first year studying Mandarin Chinese at a higher level.
Vocabulary: 妈妈,爸爸,你好, 老师,同学,晚上好
Listening: Listen and circle six items as they are called out: 妈妈,爸爸,你好, 老师,同学,晚上好
Writing: Write and repeat several times the following vocabulary: 妈妈,爸爸,你好, 老师,同学,晚上好
Writing extension: Write the vocabulary associated with the pictures unaided
This activity is geared towards students who are Cantonese speaking, native Mandarin speakers or gifted and talented.
Unit 1: Family Members
Activity 1-1: Mum and Dad
This activity is designed for children in their first year studying Mandarin Chinese
Listening: Listen and circle three items as they are called out: 妈妈,爸爸,你好
Writing: Write and repeat several times the following vocabulary: 妈妈,爸爸,你好
Writing extension: Write the vocabulary associated with the pictures unaided
If there are any students (i.e. Cantonese speaking students, mother-tongue students, gifted and talented) who you deem capable of going beyond this range of vocabulary, there is a differentiated work book available.
Unit 1: Family Members
Activity 1-2: Parents and siblings
This activity is designed for children in their first year studying Mandarin Chinese
Listening: Listen and circle several items as they are called out.
Listening extension: Listen and circle the correct characters as they are called out
Writing: Write and repeat several times the following vocabulary: 弟弟,哥哥,姐姐,妹妹,他,她,是,吗, 很
Writing extension: Write in the missing word in the space using the provided choice of answers
If there are any students (i.e. Cantonese speaking students, mother-tongue students, gifted and talented) who you deem capable of going beyond this range of vocabulary, there is a differentiated work book available.
The answers to the higher level test of stage 1-9a.
My advice is as follows:
20-25 correct answers: Very well done! You can now proceed onto Stage 2: The perfect tense. The best of luck with your studies!
0-19 correct answers: I am sorry but you need to study more. Retake this test and try again before you start Stage 2: The perfect tense.
This game is designed for learners in their first year of learning Mandarin Chinese or it can be used in any language under study when learning dates!!
Rules of the game: This game would be ideal for up to six players or two teams of students and played with two dice.
1. Whatever player or team rolls the highest number on the dice can move first.
2. After each player or team moves according to the number shown on the dice must say the date to whatever place they land on, on the board. If they say the date correctly in Chinese, they can move on their next go. If they say the date incorrectly or don't know how to say it, they miss their next turn.
3. If a player or team land on a green square, it is a 'lucky square' and they don't have to say that date. If a player lands on his/her birthday or a member of the team's birthday, they don't have to say the date.
4. If a player or team lands on a ladder, they move down the board accordingly or if they land on a snake, they move up the board accordingly.
5. If a player or a team member rolls a double they can take another go, only provided they say the date correctly.
6. The first player or team to reach the end of the year, wins the game!
Unit 1: Family members
Lesson 1-2: Parents and siblings
Vocabulary: 妈妈 (mum),爸爸 (dad),你好 (hello),弟弟(younger brother),哥哥 (older brother),姐姐 (older sister),妹妹 (younger sister),他 (he),她 (she),我 (I/me),是 (to be),吗 (question particle),很 (very) (total: 13 words) (total number of characters: 14)
Differentiation: 儿子 (son),女儿 (daughter) (total: 18 words) (total number of characters: 23)
Grammar point: 吗 (question particle to indicate a question), 很 (used to replace the verb 'to be')
Objective 1: Recall at least 5 family members (7 for more capable learners)
Objective 2: Understand the use of '吗' when asking a question
Objective 3: Recall to say 'I am well' in Chinese
Unit 1: Family members
Lesson 1-3: Grandparents
Vocabulary: 爷爷 (grandad), 奶奶 (grandmother), 叫 (to be called), 不 (no/not) (total: 17 words) (total number of characters: 18)
Differentiation: 外公 (grandad from dad's side),外婆 (grandmother from mum's side) (total: 24 words) (total number of characters: 30)
Grammar point: 不 (negator),
Objective 1: Recall at least 7 family members (9 for more capable learners)
Objective 2: Know how to use '不' when forming negatives
Objective 3: Recall to say 'I am not well' in Chinese
Unit 1: Family Members
Activity 1-2: Parents and siblings
This activity is designed for children in their first year studying Mandarin Chinese at a higher level.
Vocabulary: 弟弟,哥哥,姐姐,妹妹,儿子,女儿,她,他,是,很,吗
Listening: Listen and circle several items as they are called out
Listening extension: Listen and circle the characters being called out
Writing: Write and repeat several times the following vocabulary: 弟弟,哥哥,姐姐,妹妹,儿子,女儿,她,他,是,很,吗
Writing extension: Write the vocabulary associated with the pictures unaided and fill in the missing word in the sentences using the choice of answers provided
This activity is geared towards students who are Cantonese speaking, native Mandarin speakers or gifted and talented.
Answers to the test of 'Stage 2-9: The perfect tense'.
My advice is as follows:
34-40 correct answers: Very well done! There is a more advanced test available titled as 'Stage 2-9a: Higher level test of the perfect tense'. Try this before attempting the 'Stage 3: Imperfect tense' activity.
0-33 correct answers: I am sorry but you have failed the test. Please re-try this test before attempting the more advanced test.
Answers to the test of 'Stage 1-9: The present tense'.
My advice is as follows:
25-30 correct answers: Very well done! There is a more advanced test available titled as 'Stage 1-9a: Higher level test of the present tense'. Try this before attempting the 'Stage 2: Perfect tense' activity.
0-24 correct answers: I am sorry but you have failed the test. Please re-try this test before attempting the more advanced test.
Drill practice using the past conditional tense in French for those who find tense formation difficult. This activity also focuses on the formation of auxiliary verbs using either 'avoir' or 'etre', agreements and the past participle of verbs. This activity also revises Stage 6: The conditional, Stage 5: The future, Stage 4: The pluperfect tense, Stage 3: The imperfect tense, Stage 2: The perfect tense, Stage 1: The present tense. This activity is carried out in eight stages:
Stage 1: Common basic irregular verbs: Aller, Faire, Avoir, Etre, Boire, Ouvrir, Prendre, Croire
Stage 2: Regular -er verbs: Parler, Manger, Regarder, Partager, Entrer, Porter, Essayer, Envoyer
Stage 3: Regular -ir verbs: Finir, Ralentir, Choisir, Grandir, Fournir, Batir
Stage 4: Regular -re verbs: Vendre, Rendre, Attendre, Perdre, Repondre, Descendre, Entendre, Tendre
Stage 5: Irregular -re verbs: Dire, Lire, Mettre, Ecrire, Suivre, Craindre, Comprendre, Inclure
Stage 6: Irregular -ir verbs: Voir, Vouloir, Pouvoir, Savoir, Devoir Recevoir
Stage 7: More irregular -ir verbs and intransitive verbs (verbs that take 'etre'): Tenir, Venir, Partir, Sortir, Revenir, Mourir
Stage 8: Impersonal verbs and sample reflexive verbs: Pleuvoir, Falloir, Valoir, S'agir, Se reposer, S'attendre, Se souvenir
It is difficult at times to remember the conjugation of the tenses which is why I have designed these activities as means of becoming deeply acquainted with the conjugation. Repetition is the key! There are two tests available which are titled as 'Partie 7-9: Test au conditionnel anterieur' and 'Partie 7-9a: Test au niveau superieur'. I would recommend taking these tests before commencing black book 'Partie 8: Le subjonctif'
Welcome to Stage 3-6 !
The purpose of this powerpoint is to become deeply acquainted with the formation of tenses and verbs, especially for those who have difficulties in doing so. This is a very good way of introducing the conjugation either when teaching it for the very first time or revision. This is the 22nd stage of the learning process and there are 72 stages in the entire process. By the end of the 72nd stage, learners will have a developed a very profound mastery of not only forming nine different tenses which range with complexity upon progression, but also, an exhaustive range of different verbs which have been very carefully divided stage by stage. Upon completion of Stage 9-8, the final stage of the process, will immensely prepare students to pursue with their French studies at university level, where they will inevitably be using tenses. It is also suitable for adult learners, again whether they are learning it for the first time or revision.
This folder contains the following irregular '-ir' verbs in the imperfect tense:
Pouvoir
Savoir
Voir
Vouloir
When showing each slide, there is an audio clip on each new item that you can click on and you will hear my voice which demonstrates the pronunciation of each item, or alternatively, you can lead the pronunciation of each item. It is up to you! The learners will then reiterate the new items every time they see the slide 'This time you try it!' You will be very surprised to see how it will stick in their minds!!
I would strongly encourage you to purchase the follow-up activity 'French: Stage 3: The imperfect tense', which enables students to manually complete the drills based on what they have learnt. They are £5. Upon completion of Stage 3-8, there are tests also available.
Happy teaching and learning and the very best of luck!!
Welcome to Stage 3-5 !
The purpose of this powerpoint is to become deeply acquainted with the formation of tenses and verbs, especially for those who have difficulties in doing so. This is a very good way of introducing the conjugation either when teaching it for the very first time or revision. This is the 21st stage of the learning process and there are 72 stages in the entire process. By the end of the 72nd stage, learners will have a developed a very profound mastery of not only forming nine different tenses which range with complexity upon progression, but also, an exhaustive range of different verbs which have been very carefully divided stage by stage. Upon completion of Stage 9-8, the final stage of the process, will immensely prepare students to pursue with their French studies at university level, where they will inevitably be using tenses. It is also suitable for adult learners, again whether they are learning it for the first time or revision.
This folder contains the following irregular '-re' verbs in the imperfect tense:
Dire
Lire
Ecrire
When showing each slide, there is an audio clip on each new item that you can click on and you will hear my voice which demonstrates the pronunciation of each item, or alternatively, you can lead the pronunciation of each item. It is up to you! The learners will then reiterate the new items every time they see the slide 'This time you try it!' You will be very surprised to see how it will stick in their minds!!
I would strongly encourage you to purchase the follow-up activity 'French: Stage 3: The imperfect tense', which enables students to manually complete the drills based on what they have learnt. They are £5. Upon completion of Stage 3-8, there are tests also available.
Happy teaching and learning and the very best of luck!!
Test on the present tense, based on random verbs studied in Stage 1. There are thirty questions. Answers are available for this test at a cost of £2.
Whatever time limit you set your students to complete this test is totally up to you, but I would recommend 15-20 minutes. I would consider students obtaining the following scores in order to be awarded the appropriate certificate:
18-22 marks: Pass
23-26 marks: Merit
27-30 marks: Distinction
Test on the perfect tense, based on random verbs studied in Stage 2 and also further examines the present tense. There are thirty questions based on the perfect tense and also ten supplementary questions on the present tense. (This is a very good way not to forget tenses previously studied!) In the case where 'etre' must be used as an auxiliary verb, I have no objections if students show agreement for subjects 'je' and 'tu'. Answers are available for this test at a cost of £2. There are also certificates that you can award your students depending on what score they get. I would recommend that students obtain the following scores which determines what grade they will get:
22-27 marks: Pass
28-33 marks: Merit
34-40 marks: Distinction
Whatever time limit you set your students to complete this test is totally up to you, but I would recommend 15-20 minutes. There is also a different version of this test if you decide to re-test your students with different questions.