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 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.
_________________________________
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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
___________________________________________________________________________
Petit Chaperon sound files - links are in the script
_______________________________________________________________________________
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’
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.
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 list of key language for GCSE German.
Emphasis is on grammar rather than vocabulary.
Ideal for revision for all four skills papers, especially writing and reading.
4 pages with plenty of examples.
Followed by a ‘learning check’ section - 30 examples from the main section to translate into English.
The next section has the answers in English with space to translate them back into German.
In ‘Word’ so it’s customizable.
A French ‘call my bluff’ quiz on False Friends
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 11-17 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.