A passionate MFL and Media teacher for over 30 years, I am also a co-author of Expo 1 & 2 and am still involved in commercial textbook writing. I was an Advanced Skills Teacher for Modern Languages, running successful workshops for teachers.
You will find here a range of resources for French and German teaching, mainly for 11-16 year olds.
Plus some A-Level Media Studies and general learning resources.
Based on over 30 years' classroom experience in the non-selective secondary state sector.
A passionate MFL and Media teacher for over 30 years, I am also a co-author of Expo 1 & 2 and am still involved in commercial textbook writing. I was an Advanced Skills Teacher for Modern Languages, running successful workshops for teachers.
You will find here a range of resources for French and German teaching, mainly for 11-16 year olds.
Plus some A-Level Media Studies and general learning resources.
Based on over 30 years' classroom experience in the non-selective secondary state sector.
An English ‘call my bluff’ quiz.
Good for an end of term activity. Could be done as a form or inter-form competition.
25 questions: 5 easy, 5 medium, 5 hard and 10 very hard.
Suitable for 7-16 year olds.
There’s a blank answer grid for pupils.
Plus the Teachers’ answers.
The answers are also on the final Powerpoint slide.
Slide 28 also contains a link to a Kahoot version of the same quiz.
French ‘False Friends’ Quiz is also available.
A booklet of 8 differentiated activities based on the Youtube trailer for ‘Intouchables’. (French audio with English subtitles).
Available on Youtube, the trailer is short (1m 51secs), visually interesting and fast-paced.
The booklet consists of 3 pages of activities in French (8 exercises)
an answer section.
8 differentiated exercises, suitable for year 10 upwards (14-18 year olds)
The clip and these resources are a good introduction to the Advanced level French film topic. It can be used in A-Level taster lessons and as a stimulus for post-GCSE bridging work.
‘Intouchables’ (Nakache, Toledano 2011) is a touching, humorous and thought-provoking exploration of friendship and social divisions. It raises questions about society’s attitudes to race and disability. The booklet introduces learners to some of the language required to tackle these themes.
One of Jon Meier’s many UFTELL resources.
UFTELL = using film to enhance language-learning.
UFTELL = using film to enthuse language learners.
A 2 page worksheet based around the compelling 8 minute French film ‘French Roast’. (Joubert 2008)
The film can be seen on Youtube
Although it only contains about 4 words of dialogue, the film provides plenty of scope to explore vocabulary and discuss aspects of French culture. It is also a good introduction to debates about prejudice.
Suitable for 12-16 year olds.
Activities become progressively harder and more open-ended on page 2.
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The full premium version of this resource (4 pages + answers) is also available. Copy and paste this link:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-french-roast-film-activity-booklet-11260061
Another UFTEL Resource by Jon Meier who is always Using Film to Explore Language and Using Film to Engage Learners.
A 2 side worksheet of questions, mainly in French about the film ‘Une Vie de Chat’.
The questions are divided into 4 sections, covering the whole of the 60 minute film.
Answers are provided.
This beautifully drawn animation is suitable for learners who have been studying French for a year or two.
Warning: The film is aimed at children but it does refer to a little girl who has been traumatised by the death of her father. Sensitivity is required. As ever, make sure you know your pupils.
Pupils could do follow-up work after each section, based on the new vocabulary covered, perhaps making up a word quiz or an online game. Extension: Write 10 sentences using the target words.
An UFTEL resource (Using Film to Explore Language). Part of a series of my French film activity worksheets and booklets.
Not an original resource but highly effective. It’s in the style of a Tex-Mex menu.
Powerpoint templates for setting a bank of differentiated homework tasks.
Slide 1: 12 possible tasks can be set; 4 levels of difficulty. Ideal for a six-week module of work where a bank of extra home-based tasks can be set in advance.
Slide 2: 4 possible tasks can be set. The other boxes in the grid can be used for help & notes.So the whole slide becomes a home-learning help-mat.
Slide 3: a sample version of the 4-task menu and help-mat.It uses the topic of building descriptions in French.
The Powerpoint format is easier to customize than Word. Teachers can add their school logos etc.
The pickn’mix approach works really well with pupils.
They can use the menu to choose a set of homework activities over a period of time.
A sample 3-page unit from my German Language Lesson Lifesaver booklet of linked translations.
Ideal for MFL teachers and departments who need to set cover work.
Answers are included on the last page.
The range of levels goes from German near-beginners to advanced learners (GCSE +).
Each topic has 3 differentiated levels: Entry, Continuation, Extension.
One A4 worksheet per level.
Each worksheet is divided as follows:
➢ Section A: 10 sentences to translate from German into English.
➢ Section B: 5 sentences to translate from English into German. These sentences are linked to the German examples in section A. Students can work out the German by careful scrutiny and manipulation of the sentences in the first section.
➢ Section C: vocabulary grid linked to the sentences. Grouped by gender, verb and other grammatical forms. The vocabulary grid can be included with the sheet or folded over and not copied for students. This provides a further element of differentiation.
➢ Section D lists the grammar areas covered.
➢ Answers are in a separate section at the back so that cover teachers can go over work.
The resource does NOT contain grammar explanations, just links to grammar points.
The worksheets can be a springboard for further grammar work.
Vocabulary is based on word frequency and not on prescribed content of exam boards or publishers.
The focus is on general translation skills practice, and is not specifically aimed at GCSE. It is an absorbing way to keep pupils busy and engaged.
The full booklet has 60 pages of worksheets - 20 topics (3 levels per topic). Ideal if you or other colleagues are absent. Or just extra translation-based topic reinforcement.
NWACWA - Never Worry About Cover Work Again!
For the full booklet, copy and paste the following link:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/german-language-lesson-lifesaver-booklet-linked-translations-11260420
8 page mini-book. Ideal for topic revision, keyword and vocabulary lists.
7.5x10.5cm
Careful, crisp folding is needed. Only one small scissor cut is required.
Resource contains two A4 sheets. One is a template with folding instructions for practice.
The other is a blank template.
You can find a Youtube video walkthrough. Just search for: 8 Page Mini Book Made from a Single Sheet of Paper!
Narrative Terminology Match-up Worksheet for A-level Media Studies.
One page, 20 items.
Answers are provided on page 2.
This is a free extract from a 28 page background study booklet on Key Concepts and Textual Analysis for Media Studies. Written by Jon Meier. Available here on TES resources. Copy and paste this link:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/a-level-media-studies-background-study-booklet-key-concepts-11324599
A sample 3-page unit from my German Language Lesson Lifesaver booklet of linked translations.
Ideal for MFL teachers and departments who need to set cover work.
Answers are included on the last page.
The range of levels goes from German near-beginners to advanced learners (GCSE +).
Each topic has 3 differentiated levels: Entry, Continuation, Extension.
One A4 worksheet per level.
Each worksheet is divided as follows:
➢ Section A: 10 sentences to translate from German into English.
➢ Section B: 5 sentences to translate from English into German. These sentences are linked to the German examples in section A. Students can work out the German by careful scrutiny and manipulation of the sentences in the first section.
➢ Section C: vocabulary grid linked to the sentences. Grouped by gender, verb and other grammatical forms. The vocabulary grid can be included with the sheet or folded over and not copied for students. This provides a further element of differentiation.
➢ Section D lists the grammar areas covered.
➢ Answers are in a separate section at the back so that cover teachers can go over work.
The resource does NOT contain grammar explanations, just links to grammar points.
The worksheets can be a springboard for further grammar work.
Vocabulary is based on word frequency and not on prescribed content of exam boards or publishers.
The focus is on general translation skills practice, and is not specifically aimed at GCSE. It is an absorbing way to keep pupils busy and engaged.
The full booklet has 60 pages of worksheets - 20 topics (3 levels per topic). Ideal if you or other colleagues are absent. Or just extra translation-based topic reinforcement.
NWACWA - Never Worry About Cover Work Again!
For the full booklet, copy and paste the following link:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/german-language-lesson-lifesaver-booklet-linked-translations-11260420
A booklet of linked translation exercises.
German to English; English to German
60 pages, 20 topics, 3 levels for each topic.
Ideal preparation for GCSE but also for general translation practice.
Suitable for German learners aged 11-16.
Written to help hard-pressed teachers faced with having to set work quickly for cover lessons or for supply staff.
This resource is ideal for independent, online work.
Originally a paid-for resource, it’s now available free of charge during the pandemic.
A French version of this resource is also available
TES
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/french-linked-translation-lifesavers-12466726
A quiz worksheet containing 25 famous logo clues with literal French translations
e.g. Paixverte - Greenpeace
A quiz worksheet for all levels.
A good end of term activity or a refreshing break from the exam grind.
This version is free and comes with answers.
A ‘premium’ version is also available with vocabulary follow-up, extension tasks and variations on the clues.
A sample 3-page unit from my French Language Lesson Lifesaver booklet of linked translations.
Ideal for MFL teachers and departments who need to set cover work.
Suitable for Years 9 -12 (14 -17 year olds)
Each topic has 3 differentiated levels: Entry, Continuation, Extension.
One A4 worksheet per level.
Each worksheet is divided as follows:
➢ Section A: 10 sentences to translate from French into English.
➢ Section B: 5 sentences to translate from English into French. These sentences are linked to the French examples in section A. Students can work out the French by careful scrutiny and manipulation of the sentences in the first section.
➢ Section C: vocabulary grid linked to the sentences. Grouped by gender, verb and other grammatical forms. The vocabulary grid can be included with the sheet or folded over and not copied for students. This provides a further element of differentiation.
➢ Section D lists the grammar areas covered.
➢ Answers are in a separate section at the back so that cover teachers can go over work.
The resource does NOT contain grammar explanations, just links to grammar points. The worksheets can be a springboard for further grammar work.
Vocabulary is based on word frequency and not on prescribed content of exam boards or publishers.
The focus is on general translation skills practice, and is not specifically aimed at GCSE. It is mainly an absorbing way to keep pupils busy and engaged.
The full booklet has 60 pages of worksheets - 20 topics (3 levels per topic). Ideal if you or other colleagues are absent. Or just extra translation-based topic reinforcement.
NWACWA: Never Worry About Cover Work Again!
For the full booklet, copy and paste the following link:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/french-language-lesson-lifesaver-booklet-linked-translations-11258051
A sample 3-page unit from my French Language Lesson Lifesaver booklet of linked translations.
Ideal for MFL teachers and departments who need to set cover work.
Suitable for Years 9 -12 (14 -17 year olds)
Each topic has 3 differentiated levels: Entry, Continuation, Extension.
One A4 worksheet per level.
Each worksheet is divided as follows:
➢ Section A: 10 sentences to translate from French into English.
➢ Section B: 5 sentences to translate from English into French. These sentences are linked to the French examples in section A. Students can work out the French by careful scrutiny and manipulation of the sentences in the first section.
➢ Section C: vocabulary grid linked to the sentences. Grouped by gender, verb and other grammatical forms. The vocabulary grid can be included with the sheet or folded over and not copied for students. This provides a further element of differentiation.
➢ Section D lists the grammar areas covered.
➢ Answers are in a separate section at the back so that cover teachers can go over work.
The resource does NOT contain grammar explanations, just links to grammar points. The worksheets can be a springboard for further grammar work.
Vocabulary is based on word frequency and not on prescribed content of exam boards or publishers.
The focus is on general translation skills practice, and is not specifically aimed at GCSE. It is mainly a purposeful way to keep pupils busy and engaged.
The full booklet has 60 pages of worksheets - 20 topics (3 levels per topic). Ideal if you or other colleagues are absent. Or just extra translation-based topic reinforcement.
NWACWA- Never Worry About Cover Work Again!
For the full booklet, copy and paste the following link:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/french-language-lesson-lifesaver-booklet-linked-translations-11258051
A booklet of linked translation exercises.
French to English; English to French
60 pages, 20 topics, 3 levels for each topic.
Ideal preparation for GCSE but also for general translation practice.
Suitable for French learners aged 11-16.
Written to help hard-pressed teachers faced with having to set work quickly for cover lessons or for supply staff.
This resource is ideal for independent, online work.
Originally a paid-for resource, it’s now available free of charge during the pandemic.
This resource is also available for German.
Here’s the link to the German booklet.
TES: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/german-linked-translation-lifesaver-booklet-12466732
A French/English pantomime-style play, based on Little Red Riding Hood
Written by Jon Meier.
THIS IS A 5-PAGE EXTRACT. FREE TASTER
Lots of humour and great fun - especially the Wolf whose favourite song is Shaggy’s Boombastic
Most of the dialogue is in English but there’s plenty of French, repeated and reinforced visually.
Suitable for ages 7-10. Duration around 25 mins.
About 14 in the cast (scope for flexibility, sharing and doubling of roles). This includes some non-speaking roles.
Others can be used for sound, props, poster and programme design etc
Can be worked on in 1 day (with scripts) – intensive work with a scripted performance at the end of the day.
Show in assembly or at a languages celebration event
or just have fun reading it through.
Ideal for primary French + a language/ drama festival competition.
It could fill a few weeks of lunchtime and after school French clubs.
Sixth-formers could help out.
Language is visual and contextualised.
Audience will also understand it as the story is familiar and the French is explained.
The full script contains details of props and sound effects, with links to downloadable sound effects.
Vocabulary lists are also included with the full version showing the vocabulary on each page.
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Petit Chaperon sound files - links are in the script
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You may also be interested in similar texts for older pupils:
my version of Cinderella - Cindy va à Hollywood
and Snow White - ‘Blanche Neige et les Sept Reporters’
Activity-based worksheet for A-Level Media Studies.
Contains useful terminology and research tasks.
Written by Jon Meier.
This is an extract from a 28 page workbook for background study, available here.
Copy and paste the following link:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/a-level-media-studies-background-study-booklet-key-concepts-11324599
Card game to practice 20 adjectives.
Instructions are on the cards.
Just click to reveal each card.
It’s a Powerpoint template so you can edit the cards to add words of your choice. Just slide the ‘back’ of the card out of the way.
Think about the category points. Rarer, harder and sophisticated words are worth more.
This resource idea can be customized and adapted for use at any level - beginners to advanced.
A 3 page worksheet for A-Level Media Studies on Print Terms.
Page 3 is a recap test/ learning-check activity.
This is a free extract from a 28 page background study booklet on Key Concepts and Textual Analysis for Media Studies. Written by Jon Meier. Available here on TES resources. Copy and paste this link:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/a-level-media-studies-background-study-booklet-key-concepts-11324599
A page of ideas for a Language celebration event.
This can be a basis for discussion if you are organising a school languages celebration event.
Ideas for a day or a week. Assembly, after school or in-school events. Lunchtime clubs.
Fun activities with an MFL Languages Focus.
Contains links to some of my resources uploaded on this site.
Media Theory Booklet 2 - this is a free resource as it’s shorter than the other two.
A four page summary of useful theories for A-Level Media Studies, Year 2.
Contains information panels with space alongside for students to write their own notes, examples and visual prompts.
Page 4 is a 30 question test, with suggestions on how to use it as a differentiated learning resource.