French as a Second Language
French in the RRDSB schools
Beginning in September 2007, all students in the Junior grades (Gr. 4 - 6) and some Intermediate classes began learning French with a new program called "Histoires en Action" by Wendy Maxwell.
This program is based on her AIM language approach. The AIM Language website says, "With the AIM (Accelerative Integrated Method) Language Learning methodology you can get real fluency in French in less than 1/2 hour a day!"
The program uses plays and songs by Wendy and Matt Maxwell. Students in the RRDSB have listened to songs by Matt for many years. It should be an interesting (but fun) challenge for students and teachers!
In September 2008, all Intermediate students (Gr. 7 & 8) had the "Jeunesse en Action" program available for use in their classrooms.
Teacher Links
- RRDSB French Plan - coming soon
- Long Range Pans - watch for these
- Zut.com- An interactive site for teachers and students. It is not accessible between 9 AM and 4 PM but it is a great extra practice site for parents who want home help.
- Tex's French Grammar - This site provides practice in many grammar area - a great place to practice your verbs or look up how one is conjugated.
- Word Reference.com - Need to know what a word is in another language? Look no further! This site includes English, Spanish, Italian and Portugese dictionaries along with the French dictionary.
- SpellMaster.com - This site offers vocabulary practice games on many topics. You can also download a template and make your own games with personalized vocab. A great motivator!
- Linguascope.com - A site that you must subscribe to but offers a lot. As a subscriber, you can make your own games, worksheets, etc.
- Chez Mimi - Some great games for your students to play to help improve their knowledge of French. Check the Teacher notes and the vocabulary lists at the bottom of the intro page.
- French singers for children - Charlotte Diamond, Matt Maxwell, Jacquot, Étienne, Suzanne Pinel, Gregg LeRock and Carmen Campagne
- French on About.com - lots of helpful links to check out
- Microsoft.com - International Characters toolbar - Need one of the special accents for French and can't remember how to get them easily? Check out this download for MS Word
- French Grammar Central - an interactive site to practice everything grammar.
- Modern Language Links - The General French Links and Grammar Exercises are the most useful parts of the site.
- FrenchTeacher.net - a variety of regularily updated sites for French - includes games, interactive site and downloadable activities.
- FSL with M. Renaud - printouts, links, tips, activities
- Languages Online - Click on Français on the left hand side of the page. Need a topic shown in a simple way plus some practice to go along with it? This is the place to go.
- Super French web sites - quizzes, grammar, verbs, dictionaries, etc. This site seems to have it all.
- BYKI - a site that teches at least 46 different languages - must download a program to use it
Student Links
- Histoires en Action games - The games on this page were made up by the French teachers in the RRDSB. They are based on the units in HEA.
- Tex's French Grammar - This site provides practice in many grammar area - a great place to practice your verbs or look up how one is conjugated.
- Word Reference.com - Need to know what a word is in another language? Look no further! This site includes English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese dictionaries along with the French dictionary.
- Word Champ.com - A place to learn new languages. Click on the Flashcard tab and then choose "Try a sample drill" for some free samples.
- ÀTantôt Extra - A site with games galore. The original site is now a subscriber site but this one is still free.
Parent Information
"I don't know any/enough French. What can I do to help my child/children in French?" - If you are a parent saying this, then check out some of the ideas offered on these pages.
38 ways for parents to help their children succeed in French - An article with some simple ideas to help. Click (.pdf format) (.doc format) or (web page).
Click here for some other ways to help.
Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) - Click on "For Parents" ~ There are FAQs and links for helping your children learn French. How Can I Help My Child? - Ways to help your child - even if you don't know French.
Useful Links
- Zut.com - An interactive site for teachers and students. It is not accessible between 9 AM and 4 PM but it is a great extra practice site for parents who want home help.
- Tex's French Grammar - This site provides practice in many grammar areas - a great place to practice verbs or look up how some verbs are conjugated.
- Word Reference.com - Need to know what a word is in another language? Look no further! This site includes English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese dictionaries along with the French dictionary.
