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.
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
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.
Media Studies revision words for A-Level, Year 12.
This is a free sample selection of 72 words. (8 pages)
The pages can be folded over, borders trimmed and then laminated.
They can then be cut into revision cards. Keyword on one side, definition on the other.
They are designed to be used in class with pupils reading definitions or key words to each other. Also good for study circles and for use with learning buddies.
An ideal resource for ‘taboo’ or card games - see below for a card game idea which always works well.
The full set of cards (387 key words) is also available for £3. Copy and paste the following link:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/media-studies-revision-keywords-for-a-level-year-12-11264600
Another set of cards, suitable for y13, is in production.
______________________________________
Revision Card game instructions - ideally players sit in a table of 4, as for a card game. A pile of about 30 cards is formed, with the keyword facing downwards. Player A holds the pack and reads, to player B on his/her left, the definition on the top card, making sure the others don’t see the answer. Player A reads the definition to player B, who is the player to his/her left. If player B knows the answer, s(he) says it and wins the card. Player B then takes the pile and reads the top one to Player C on his/her left. If they get the keyword right they win the card. And so on.
If a player does not know the keyword or gets it wrong, the question passes on to the next person (anticlockwise) until someone says the correct answer. If no-one gets it, the player asking the question reads the correct answer and places the card at the bottom of the pile.
When all the cards in the pile have been played, players add up how many cards they have won.
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 25 question observational quiz on the trailer for ‘La Maison du Bonheur’ (Boon 2006)
The trailer can be seen on Youtube La Maison du Bonheur + Trailer + English subs
Ideal for a one -off lesson at the start or end of term.
Suitable for 12-16 year olds. Ideally after one or two years of French.
The observation quiz 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. But some questions could be also asked in French. These quizes 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 an opportunity to contextualize vocabulary.
The resource contains answer sheets, plus follow-up vocabulary work with extension ideas.
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 French/English pantomime-style play, based on Snow White.
THIS IS A 5 PAGE EXTRACT FROM THE OPENING SCENES.
FREE TASTER VERSION
Written by Jon Meier.
Lots of humour and great fun. It’s set against a background of 7 reporters covering news of some trapped miners.
Of course it all 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 13 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 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.
Vocabulary lists are also included with the script showing the vocabulary on each page.
A ‘Sky’ news-style Powerpoint slide which lets you add a few lesson objectives, keywords or instructions.
There’s a scrolling banner at the bottom which could be used for a question or other attention grabber.
The background will also animate when the arrow on the top right is clicked.
Can be used in any lesson, any subject, any level.
Answer section to the German Lifesaver Linked Translation Activity Booklet.
[Here is the link to the main activity booklet:]
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/german-linked-translation-lifesaver-booklet-12466732
This answer section is available separately so that teachers can decide whether to issue them to pupils for self-checking.
It is recommended that pupils are not given automatic access to this resource in order to ensure the effectiveness of online and home learning. The best strategy is to issue answers on a page by page/section by section basis once pupils have had time to work out the sentences for themselves.
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 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
Answer section to the French Lifesaver Linked Translation Activity Booklet.
[Here is the link to the main activity booklet:]
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/french-linked-translation-lifesavers-12466726
This answer section is available separately so that teachers can decide whether to issue them to pupils for self-checking.
It is recommended that pupils are not given automatic access to this resource in order to ensure the effectiveness of online and home learning. The best strategy is for teachers to issue answers on a page by page/section by section basis once pupils have had time to work out the sentences for themselves.
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.
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
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
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
A French/English pantomime-style play, based on Cinderella. SAMPLE EXTRACT ONLY
Written by Jon Meier.
Lots of humour and great fun - especially the 'France has Talent ’ middle section.
Most of the dialogue is in English but there’s plenty of French, repeated and reinforced visually.
Suitable for years 6-9. Duration around 30 mins.
17 in the cast (scope for flexibility, sharing and doubling of roles). Minimum 13 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
Sixth-formers can help with the production.
Language is visual and contextualised.
Audience will also understand it as the story is familiar and the French is explained.
Full script contains details of props and sound effects.
Vocabulary lists are also included with the script showing the vocabulary on each page.
An easy to make, low-tech multi-choice test chooser.
Download the template. (Each A4 sheet contains 2 paper choosers to cut out and make).
Copy as many times as you need for a class set; pupils can help with mass production.
To make the chooser: Cut out the strips, fold and staple as instructed.
Run a quiz. Pupils display their chosen answer (A B or C) with the letter facing the front.
You could also use A for True and B for False.
For D, simply place the chooser on its side.