Imagine your French students confidently decoding a reading passage or effortlessly chatting with their classmates in French. These moments of connection and achievement are built not just in the classroom, but through the support and opportunities they find at home.
Supporting students outside the classroom is key to their success, particularly in French language learning where practice and language exposure are crucial. In this blog post, we’ll explore practical ways to extend your students’ learning beyond the classroom and share some resources to help your students thrive in their language journey.
1. Encourage Daily Practice with Language Apps
There are many language apps that provide accessible and interactive ways for students to practice French daily. Here are some great options that I’ve recommended to my students throughout the years:
Perfect for beginners! This app gamifies language learning with short, engaging lessons. Students will receive immediate feedback, helping them build confidence and stay motivated along the way.
A great versatile tool for grammar and vocabulary practice. You can create flashcards in advance for your students that target their needs or explore the wide range of pre-made sets already available for you to use.
This is a free app that allows students to learn French through games and a variety of activities. Students will receive immediate feedback, complete levels and earn rewards.
When using language apps, encourage students to set aside just 10-15 minutes daily to complete the interactive activities. It’s a flexible commitment that can fit into their routine, whether during a bus ride, on the way to extracurricular activities or even as an early-finisher activity in class if your school permits phone use.
2. Provide Authentic Listening Opportunities
Listening is one of the most important skills in language learning as it lays the foundation for communication and comprehension. Therefore, providing students with authentic and engaging resources can immerse them in the language while improving their listening abilities at the same time. Here are some popular options that my students have enjoyed:
- Podcasts: introduce your students to beginner-friendly podcasts! Options like Coffee Break French or Learn French are fantastic resources to help learners build confidence with vocabulary, pronunciation, and connect with content that interests them.
- French Music Playlists: create a playlist on Spotify or YouTube with popular French songs. If you are looking for a pre-made Google Sheet with over 100+ links to popular French songs, check out this resource. Music is a fun way to expose students to pronunciation, rhythm, slang, and new vocabulary
- French Influencers or Celebrities – for older students using social media, following French influencers and celebrities can expose them to native speakers, modern slang, and cultural trends through captions, videos, and live content. Here are a few influencers that I’ve enjoyed following:
- Victoria Dauberville – a classical and contemporary freelancer ballerina
- French Influencers or Celebrities – for older students using social media, following French influencers and celebrities can expose them to native speakers, modern slang, and cultural trends through captions, videos, and live content. Here are a few influencers that I’ve enjoyed following:
- Sananas – provides makeup tutorials, product reviews, and style tips
- Angèle – popular Belgian singer-songwriter who shares about her music, fashion and behind the scenes of her artistic life
- Loïc Suberville – great for a good laugh and dive into the French language – one of my favorites!
- Emmanuel Macron – the president of France
- Netflix – many students have streaming platforms at home. Encourage your students to watch some of their famous shows or films in French. They simply need to change the language setting and can opt for subtitles in their native language. A couple of options for high school students include:
- Lupin, l’Agence, le Chalet, le Petit Prince, les Intouchables, etc.
- Netflix – many students have streaming platforms at home. Encourage your students to watch some of their famous shows or films in French. They simply need to change the language setting and can opt for subtitles in their native language. A couple of options for high school students include:
- Audiobooks: many libraries offer free access to French audiobooks. You can also see if your school has subscriptions to Boukili or Scholastic Learning Zone, which are options that I use for my bilingual daughter.
- Le petit Nicolas is a great choice for beginner students!
- Audiobooks: many libraries offer free access to French audiobooks. You can also see if your school has subscriptions to Boukili or Scholastic Learning Zone, which are options that I use for my bilingual daughter.
While students engage in these listening opportunities, encourage them to write down new words or phrases. They can then look up the meanings, practice pronunciation, and incorporate them into their speaking and writing activities. This process not only reinforces vocabulary retention but also helps students build connections between the language they hear and the language they use.
Incorporating reading into language learning is a fantastic way to enhance vocabulary and comprehension. Here are a couple of options to get your students started:
- Online Newspapers: depending on your student’s proficiency level, websites like Le Monde and 1jour1actu offer a variety of articles tailored to different reading abilities. These resources provide current and relevant content to keep learners motivated.
- French recipes: for students who enjoy baking, encourage them to try following a French recipe. This activity not only builds reading skills but also introduces them to cultural dishes, making learning both fun and delicious!
- Children’s books: if you live in Canada – there are so many French and bilingual books available at bookstores and local libraries. When I travel to Québec I will often go to Village des Valeurs, Goodwill, or other thrift stores and pick a variety of French books to add to my classroom library.
To help students stay organized and reflective, provide them with a reading log where they can track their progress, and jot down new vocabulary terms and key takeaways. This habit encourages accountability and reinforces their learning journey.
4. Encourage Writing for Real-Life Contexts
Encourage your students to write in French outside of the classroom. This is a great opportunity to support your French students outside of the classroom and tap into their creative side. Here are a few engaging ways to integrate writing into their daily lives beyond the classroom:
- Pen Pals – partner with a French-speaking school to arrange letter exchanges or use platforms like ePals to connect students with French-speaking peers. Writing to real people in French will offer a great cultural exchange opportunity!
- Journaling – for students who enjoy writing and self-reflection, encourage them to keep a daily journal in French. They can start with simple sentences and gradually expand on their entries. Offer prompts to guide their writing, such as:
- Qu’est-ce que tu as fait aujourd’hui ?
- Comment ça va ?
- Qu’est-ce que tu veux faire ce weekend ?
These activities make writing in French meaningful and personal, helping students connect with the language in ways that are authentic and enjoyable.
5. Leverage Online Communities and Resources
The Internet is full of tools to support French learners beyond the classroom. Here are some options that I encourage my Intermediate and Senior French students to discover.
- YouTube Channels: introduce your students to engaging French-language YouTube creators who focus on teaching grammar, vocabulary, or conversational skills. There are so many excellent options available such as French Chit-Chat with Dylane, Comme une française and Français avec Pierre.
- Online Grammar Tools: encourage students to discover reliable French websites that will allow them to explore French grammar concepts in detail. Some highly recommended examples include:
- Lawless French: an excellent tool for clear grammar explanations, quizzes, and tips
- AlloProf: covers a variety of subjects to improve French proficiency along with interactive exercises, games, and quizzes.
By incorporating these digital resources, students can access expert guidance and practice their French beyond the classroom to complement their classroom learning.
6. Inspire Your Students With Choice Boards
Choice boards are another option to support your French learners beyond the classroom. Choice boards allow students to pick learning tasks geared to their own interests and promote a sense of autonomy and differentiation.
Choice boards are also perfect for early-finisher activities, keeping students productive and engaged once they’ve completed their assigned tasks. Here are a couple of examples that I give my students throughout the semester.
In addition, you can inspire your students with fun monthly challenges to keep them motivated and excited about their learning. Here are a couple of examples that you could incorporate in your classroom:
- Vocabulary Challenge: learn a new French word every day for a month
- Speaking Streak: speak French for 5 minutes every day for a month. I often encourage students to speak to themselves or a stuffed animal if they don’t have a French-speaking peer
Remember to recognize and celebrate your students for their efforts and progress along the way. Recognizing their hard work will maintain their motivation and help build their confidence in their language proficiency journey.
Conclusion
Learning a language is like planting a seed – it needs consistent care to grow. Supporting students outside the classroom can make a tremendous difference in their language journey. By providing them with the right tools and opportunities, you can empower them to take ownership of their learning and develop a lifelong love for French.
If you are looking for a French Resource Support Guide to help your French students in their language journey, consider this resource to help provide them with the tools to enhance their French proficiency outside of the classroom.
What strategies or resources do you use to support your students outside of the classroom? Share your tips in the comments below!
