A 4 page pdf document based on the ‘journal intime’/French diary writing. This writing task comes up in Irish Leaving Cert Exams, (OL and HL). This handout introduces students to the diary and lays out some useful phrases which can be used in most diaries e.g. Beginnings, endings, positive feelings, negative feelings and extra vocab. Also includes a note on examiner’s report (2016).
This is an easy to use and well structured vocabulary booklet for Junior Cert or Leaving Cert (Ordinary level) French. It has 26 pages in total. All topics needed for the Junior Cert are covered (from days of the week, to food, directions, pastimes and animals etc…).
Each unit of vocab is presented in a grid over one /two pages. The French words are written in and there is room for the student to write in the English translation. The booklet can be printed and put together to suit your preferences. Also includes a full page of useful verbs in the first person ‘je’ in the present, past and future tense. This is an excellent way of presenting or revising vocab and serves extremely helpful to the students.
A 5 page word document with lots of key and useful phrases for French writing, particularly for expressing opinion on a topic/'what do you think' questions.
The handout is separated into different headings e.g. to introduce ideas, to express opinion, feelings, agreeing with a statement, disagreeing, general etc... Also includes a variety of different tenses.
Very useful for Leaving Cert/A level students.
Five resources based on francophone artist Stromae. I use these resources in my Transition Year module and also with my ordinary level leaving cert classes.
First is a worksheet and youtube link. Students watch an interview (in English) with Stromae and must note in English as many interesting points as they can. They then have to use the facts/info to make 8 sentences in French about Stromae (can be done individually or as a pair activity a good opportunity to use dictionaries).
Listening activity in the form of a gapfill exercise using the lyrics of ‘Formidable’. A word bank can be given to facilitate differentiation if needed.
The next activity and worksheet are based on the song Papaoutai. Firstly, there is a listening activity where the lyrics (printed in the larger font) are laminated and cut up into small chunks of text. Students work together in groups to listen to the song and re-order the lyrics correctly. This listening task is followed with the worksheet which takes a closer look at the lyrics. Students are asked to find different types of words/grammar in the text (e.g. an infinitive verb, an adverb etc…), then have to catagorize positive and negative adjectives and finally have to translate some potentially new words from the lyrics.
There are two lyric sheets here for both of the songs mentioned about that can be used for a sing-a-long class activity (Students love it!) .
Final worksheet is adapted from an authentic text (le Figaro) and is a quickfire interview with the artist. Accompanied by English comprehension questions.
Papaoutai resource can be purhcased separately from My Shop
French in the world! A 28 slide ppt including several activities and embedded YouTube clips. Also includes details of project work which I assign after this unit of work - this slide can be deleted or amended to suit your lesson. Also included is a sentence builder/notes sheet which can be given to students to assist them with the project work or with an additional translation exercise if you wished.
I use this resource with a mixed ability TY class.
For more resources like this, see ‘My shop’.
Notes on emails for Leaving Cert French students. Includes opening sentences, formal and informal sample sentences for the body of the email and endings appropriate for both registers.
For lots more French resources, see My Shop
A notes handout based on the post card. Aimed at ordinary level leaving cert students. Includes lots of useful phrases for all aspects of postcard - when/how you arrived, weather, accommodation, food, feelings, activities etc…
Activities are set out under three headings - Present, Past and Future.
There is also a sample postcard.
For a similar but less detailed handout on the postcard for Junior Cert students, see My Shop.
A unit of learning based on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Suitable for a range of ages/year groups. Lots of differentiation.
Graphic organiser/vocab worksheet - students need to use the Quizlet study set (linked here) to complete the worksheet. Small extension exercises included here e.g. can you not only list but also conjugate the verb?
https://quizlet.com/ie/914411227/les-jeux-olympiques-flash-cards/?i=2r8x8o&x=1jqt
Listening exercise using ‘Un jour, une question’ YouTube video (authentic material)- also linked here. Two worksheets - one with English questions and one with French questions. I allowed the students to choose which one they wanted here. Includes a word bank. *I slowed the video down to 0.75 speed as it is quite fast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpMFhfomipc&t=1s
Gap-fill exercise based on the transcript of the YouTube video (slightly adapted), using the key vocab from previous exercise as the missing words. Facilitates written production in a scaffolded way.
For more materials like this, see My Shop!
A short 9 slide PPT explaining articles; The definite article, the indefinite article and the partitive article. Can be used to initially introduce the basic articles or can be used with an older class to revise.
A lesson on smoking and vaping amongst young people, aimed at higher level, Leaving Cert students.
The first document is a sentence builder worksheet. I ask students to work together to translate the key vocab (dictionaries are available to them for this if required). I then mix up the student pairings so that everyone is working with someone new, and ask the students to categorise the vocab into nouns, verbs and adjectives (this helps to prepare them for the ‘trouvez dans le texte’ questions often seen in the comprehensions in LC exams). Once the words have been translated, categorised and corrected, students work alone to translate the sentences on the worksheet from French to English. These sentences can then be used in an opinion piece on this topic.
The second document is a text which can be used to further build and enrich vocab, can be used as a reading activity, or as a comprehension. Useful vocab and expressions can be identified and copied into a notes copy or added to the first worksheet for future use in opinion pieces.
I find these activities really useful for preparing students for opinion questions or oral questions on these themes.
Differentiation can be facilitated through the student pairings.
For more Higher Level Leaving Cert French resources, see ‘My Shop’.
An activity and worksheet based on Stromae’s song Papaoutai.
Firstly, there is a listening activity where the lyrics are laminated and cut up into small chunks of text. Students work together in groups to listen to the song and re-order the lyrics correctly. Differentiation can be facilitated through the specific creation of groups here. Usually students need to here the song twice but of course, it can be played again if needed.
This listening task is followed with the worksheet which takes a closer look at the lyrics. Students are asked to find different types of words/grammar in the text (e.g. an infinitive verb, an adverb, a possessive adjective etc…), then have to catagorize positive and negative adjectives and finally have to translate some potentially new words from the lyrics.
The lyrics are also attached so that students have a copy each to analyze but the laminated lyrics can also be used and worksheet can be completed in a group.
For a complete study on Stromae with five separate activities/resources, see My Shop
A 2 page worksheet based around clothes and colours in French. Will help students to learn the vocab. Includes translation exercises, reading/learning task & small written tasks using agreements. Could be used as a work sheet, homework or exam.
Complete vocabulary booklet for ordinary level senior students.
Easy to use and well structured. It has 31 pages in total. All topics needed for the Leaving Cert are covered, from basics like the days of the week, food, directions, pastimes, holidays and animals etc… to more difficult topics like social problems.
Each unit of vocab is presented in a grid over one /two pages. The French words are written in and there is room for the student to write in the English translation. Also includes a full page of useful verbs in the first person ‘je’ in the present, past and future tense.
The pages are numbered for easy direction in class.
*For a vocab booklet for Junior Cycle students or for a booklet with French and English words written in, see ‘My Shop’.
An introduction and guide to the Higher Level Leaving Certificate Comprehensions. Double sided Word document. Includes key question words, hints & tips for approaching the comprehensions and guidance on the ‘trouvez dans le texte’ question where students are asked to find a certain type of word in the text.
A grid which contains the most important verbs for Junior Cert (GSCE level) French in the infinitive, present, past and future tense. Very useful for students of any age/level/class. My students love it and it's their 'go to' resource for all written exercises.
A must have resource for teaching French!
A complete lesson based on food which can be used to consolidate students’ understanding of the vocab, to facilitate group work/class activity and which also serves as an oral exercise.
First document is a survey where students have to walk around the class trying to find other students who like/hate/are allergic to certain foods. The questions must be asked and answered in French.
Where the survey is complete, the students are given the worksheet. Here they have to categorize the food items under headings (start/main course/dessert) and also have to write answers to 4 French questions as if they were ordering food in a French restaurant.
Students like this lesson as it gives them a chance to get up and move around the class. Suitable for all age groups/levels.
A detailed hand out based on the cloze test which appears in the Leaving Cert Ordinary Level exam. Includes some revision of key vocab and grammar which appears in this section. Also includes some hints on successfully completing this exercise.