A French activity booklet based around the successful film, Bienvenue Chez les Ch’Tis (Boon, 2008) The resource consists of • 13 pages of activities plus 4 glossary pages covering the words used in the exercises and 1 final page containing ideas for exploiting glossaries. • A separate answer booklet. The ideal target age is 14+. The slang spoken by the Northerners may be a little too bizarre to inflict on beginners but is a delight for more advanced linguists. Activities are graded by ability. The resource could be used with more disaffected pupils, perhaps those who have decided not to continue with French for GCSE. The booklet could be given to pupils as a three week study/project module. It can also be used for older pupils and adults who want to keep their French ticking over. The resource includes an observational quiz based on a 7 minute sequence towards the start of the film. The observation quiz section can be done orally or in writing. The focus is in English to give all pupils an opportunity to show their often exceptional powers of observation. These sections work well as a class game – one side of the room against the other or boys v girls. They are a good way to keep less motivated pupils engaged. Vocabulary from the quiz is followed-up in subsequent activities. The quiz is actually a discrete opportunity to contextualize vocabulary. The activities also offer opportunities to discuss prejudice and intolerance. There is one film review-writing activity. The main focus is however on developing vocabulary. This is another of my French UFTEL (Using Film to Explore Language) resources. I hope it shows the benefits of Using Film to Engage Linguists. Amusez-vous bien. Jon Meier.

A 28-page booklet based around the film ‘Mr Bean’s Holiday’ (Bendelack, 2007) Although the film is English, it provides lots of opportunities to discuss aspects of French life and explore French vocabulary in context. The activities are graded by difficulty , and are suitable for 11 -15 year olds. The resource could be given to pupils as a three week study/project module. The pupils’ booklet includes a 7 page alphabetical vocabulary glossary. The resource also comes with a separate answer booklet. Look out for other UFTEL (Using Film to Explore Language) booklets written by Jon Meier. Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis Taxi 1 Un Chat à Paris La Maison du Bonheur

The ‘Stranger Things’ Episode 1 Study Booklet is a 24 page workbook particularly aimed at students doing the OCR A-Level Media course. It is filled with activities, notes and thought-provoking questions, designed to give students a thorough overview of Episode 1 of this retro sci-fi series. The aim is to encourage students to engage with the questions, to understand wider themes and aspects of representations. The workbook is suitable especially for 16-18 year olds, Media A-Level students and also for anyone generally interested in Netflix-style long form TV dramas, film, and the issues around the production and global appeal of this type of drama. OCR A-Level Media Studies Teachers should find the workbook useful as it gives students an opportunity to work independently on a range of activities. The study pack is also intended to be a useful revision resource. I have also done a booklet on Episode 1 of Deutschland 83, a different but equally fascinating series which allows a comparison between English language and non-English language products.

A German ‘Call My Bluff’ style quiz on general words. 25 questions: 5 easy, 5 medium, 5 hard and 10 harder. Good for an end of term activity. The words are, in general, not too obscure and not ridiculously long. Suitable for 12-17 year olds. Resource includes: the main Powerpoint a blank answer grid for pupils. Plus the Teachers’ answers. The answers are also on the final Powerpoint slide. Some literal meanings are also explained here too. Slide 28 also contains a link to a Kahoot version of the same quiz.This could be done as a recap or reward activity after the going through the Powerpoint quiz and the answers.

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 16-page booklet based around the film ‘Taxi’ (Pirès, 1998). Activities are mainly vocabulary-based and there are some observational quiz sections as well which could be done as a class competition. The activities are graded by ability , and are suitable for a range of pupils from 12 to 16 years old. The resource is particularly aimed at appealing to more disaffected pupils, perhaps those who have decided not to continue with French for GCSE. The booklet could be given to pupils as a three week study/project module. It could help those Year 8/9 doldrums towards the end of the year. The resource consists of: The main pupil booklet (16 pages) A separate answer booklet for teachers and cover teachers Notes at the end, in English, discuss the more political aspects of the film such as attitudes towards the police and Franco-German relations. The observation quiz sections can be done orally or in writing. The focus is in English to give all pupils an opportunity to show their often exceptional powers of observation. These sections work well as a class game – one side of the room against the other or boys v girls. They are a good way to keep less motivated pupils engaged. Vocabulary from the quiz is followed-up in subsequent activities. The quiz is actually a discrete opportunity to contextualize vocabulary. The booklet is part of a series produced by Jon Meier which will cover: Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis La Maison du Bonheur Micmacs Un Chat à Paris Mr Bean’s Holiday

A 28 page workbook for students in their first year of A-Level Media Studies. Contains: -useful keyword terminology and definitions. -activities based around textual analysis and the key media concepts. -a list of short video texts, mainly adverts, which are ideal for studying film and media codes. -theory cards for revision. -lots of homework and self-study tasks. A workbook rather than a textbook. Photocopiable, so only a one-off purchase cost is involved. Suitable for background, parallel study, it could also provide a year’s worth of home study tasks or ‘flipped classroom’ activities

The ‘Deutschland 83’ Episode 1 Study Booklet is a 24-page workbook particularly aimed at students doing the OCR A-Level Media Studies course. It is filled with activities, notes and thought-provoking questions, designed to give students a thorough overview of Episode 1 of this fascinating series. The aim is to encourage students to engage with the questions, and to understand wider themes and aspects of representations. The workbook is especially suitable for 16-18 year olds, Media A-Level students and also for anyone generally interested in Channel 4 long-form TV dramas, film, plus the issues around the production and appeal of subtitled TV drama in the English speaking world . OCR A-Level Media Studies Teachers should find the workbook useful as it gives students an opportunity to work independently on a range of activities. The study pack is also intended to be a useful revision resource. The resource may also be of interest to teachers of History and A-Level German. I have also done a booklet on Episode 1 of ‘Stranger Things’, a different but equally compelling series which explores aspects of retro sci-fi, ‘coming of age’ themes and intertextuality.

A French/English pantomime-style play, based on Snow White. Written by Jon Meier. Lots of humour and great fun. Set against a background of 7 reporters covering a news story of trapped miners. Of course it ends happily! Most of the dialogue is in English but there’s plenty of French, repeated and reinforced visually. Suitable for ages 8-14. Duration around 30 mins. 17 in the cast (scope for flexibility, sharing and doubling of roles). Minimum 17, max 22 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 a language/ drama festival competition. It could fill a few weeks of lunchtime and after school French clubs. Sixth-formers could also help out. Language is visual and contextualised. Audience will also understand it as the story is familiar and the French is explained. This full script version contains details of props and sound cues, with links to downloadable sound effects. Vocabulary lists are also included with the script showing the vocabulary on each page. A 4 page extract of the opening scene is also available as a free taster. __________________________________________________________________________ Blanche Neige sound files - I’m not allowed to make these available as an external link. A keen pupil could work on these, perhaps a pupil who doesn’t want a speaking part. _____________________________________________________________________________ You may also be interested in my version of Cinderella: ‘Cindy va à Hollywood’ (ages 7-14) or Petit Chaperon Rouge, Little Red Riding Hood (ages 7-11)

A quiz worksheet on 25 famous brands with literal French translations. e.g. Paixverte - Greenpeace Features partial logo clues (easy version) or definitions (harder). Suitable for all levels. An end of term activity or a refreshing break from the exam grind. The resource contains 3 versions of the questions, answer sheets, vocabulary follow-up and extension .

Keep Fit French French ‘read and dance’. A fun and original kinesthetic reading activity. Devised by Jon Meier in 2012. In response to popular demand, I’ve finally uploaded this resource after running it for a few years with pupils at various schools and on MFL staff training workshops. Create a folder called Keep Fit French. Make sure you download both the Powerpoint and the background music file. Put both files in the folder. For the best collective experience you ideally need a group of about 8 to 20 people. Target group: 9-12 year olds and/or youthful French teachers. Test the Powerpoint – the music should play automatically from slide 5. If you can’t hear it, check your volume settings. *If the music is still not playing, see instructions at the bottom of this box. Everyone needs to be standing to do this. Spread out. Run the Powerpoint . Music should play automatically from slide 5 onwards. Read the phrase to yourself, and take one step in the direction of the correct picture. A step can be forwards, backwards, left, right or diagonally. Then step back to your starting position. Simple. Always remember to step back to your starting position The entire dance takes about 4 minutes. We’ve run this as an annual y7 pre-Christmas dance-off contest. Would also be good as a lunchtime fitness activity or ‘Sports Relief’ language event. _____________ *If the music does not play: Look at slide 5, check that the music file has been correctly inserted. Check the filename and pathname. It depends where you have put the folder. You may need to help Powerpoint to find the music file or you could reinsert it. Ensure that the sound is set to ‘start automatically’ and ‘play across slides’

60 film title questions with an answer sheet. Plus a follow-up vocabulary sheet quiz. Work out the English title from the French film title. A fun end of term activity. Suitable for years 7-11. Vocabulary review provides a good learning objective.

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 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

French Call MY Bluff quiz B 25 general words ranging in difficulty: 5 easy + 5 less easy + 5 hard + 10 very hard. A good end-of-term activity. There are some funny distractors which should delight lexiphiles. Suitable for ages 12-17 (In the spirit of the original game, some guessing will be necessary) Resource consists of main Powerpoint quiz. Answers are included on the final slide. a blank pupil answer grid (2 per sheet) The answers with some explanations and notes Slide 28 also contains a link to the same quiz on Kahoot. This could be done as a recap, follow-up activity after the Powerpoint quiz has been done and the answers discussed. This is also good resource for a language festival/ competition. Part of a set of similar resources including 2 quizes about Faux Amis.

A French ‘call my bluff’ style quiz on general French words. 25 questions: 5 easy, 5 medium, 5 hard and 10 very hard. Good for an end of term activity. Could be done as a form or inter-form competition. Suitable for 12-17 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.This could be done as a recap or reward activity after the going through the Powerpoint quiz and the answers.

A 14-page booklet based around the film ‘La Maison du Bonheur’ (Boon, 2006) The activities are graded by difficulty , and are suitable for a range of pupils from 14 upwards. The film’s themes also appeal to older learners - (debt, the dream of house ownership, marital love, work-pressures, suspect estate-agents and unreliable workmen) There is also an observational quiz section which could be done as a class competition. The resource could be given to pupils as a three week study/project module. The booklet (14 pages) includes a two-page glossary and an answer section. The observation quiz sections can be done orally or in writing. The focus is in English to give all pupils an opportunity to show their often exceptional powers of observation. These sections work well as a class game – one side of the room against the other or boys v girls. They are a good way to keep less motivated pupils engaged. Vocabulary from the quiz is followed-up in subsequent activities. The quiz is a discrete opportunity to contextualize vocabulary. Look out for other UFTEL (Using Film to Explore Language) booklets written by Jon Meier. Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis Taxi 1 Un Chat à Paris Mr Bean’s Holiday

A starter activity or full lesson based on Evian Baby Me Commercial 2013. The starter activity is the first task. The resource contains a number of follow-up activities. The clip is available on Youtube Suitable for ages 12+ Included also: An answer sheet, an extension idea and vocabulary sheet. There’s enough material here for a lesson starter or it can be extended to a full lesson. A great piece of film-making. Pupils are also directed to watch the ‘Making of’ clip. Video clips are ideal for ‘Pause pounce predict and bounce questioning’ UFTEL Resources - Using Film To Explore Language - help to contextualize vocabulary, celebrate the art of good film-making and channel pupils’ visual and observational skills.

4 pages of activities based around famous brands, logos and their literal German translations. The resource includes answers to all the activities. Differentiated activities suitable for near-beginners up to more advanced learners. A fun filler activity. A nice end of term or start of term resource. A distraction from the assessment grind.