Bon Français.com

Posts Tagged ‘FLE’

This week, entire courses have the place of honor. Whether you’re a true or false beginner, a learner of intermediate or advanced level, the resources that we recommend today will enrich your knowledge of the language of Molière step by step.

FrançaisFacile.com : Here is an ideal site to learn French or improve your knowledge of it. There are level tests, 7241 courses and exercises as well as the following utilities: conjugate, play, translate, pronounce, check and multiple dictionaries. A component on the site allows you to record yourself to hear your pronunciation. A registration to the site allows you, among other things, access to the system  to translate French / other language, to participate in forums, find pen pals, have your scores recorded in the school report and enjoy a customized workbook. You can also receive a free weekly French lesson by email. http://www.francaisfacile.com/

The following link provides access to courses divided into four levels. http://www.francaisfacile.com/guide/index.php?niv=1

Ielanguages.com : This site offers a complete French course, from basic phrases and sounds to past and imperfect subjonctive tenses. The lessons, divided into seven courses, include MP3s, exercises and flashcards, some of them with an audio component allowing you to record yourself to compare your accent with the native speaker’s pronunciation on the audio files. Among other things, the site also includes sections devoted to informal French, a blog, and French-Italian, French-German bilingual resources. A site to discover! http://www.ielanguages.com/french.html

Canal Rêve’s course 1,2,3 Bravo is primarily meant for beginner and intermediate learners. It aims to develop oral and written comprehension, as well as specific skills in everyday communication. It consists of 8 modules divided into three parts: communication, vocabulary and writing (écrit). Each of these parts includes videos, audio files and exercises. http://babelnet.sbg.ac.at/canalreve/bravo/index2.htm

The following link includes activities that complement the units of 1,2,3 Bravo. http://babelnet.sbg.ac.at/canalreve/bravo/bravo.htm

Good studying!

The goal of the three sites presented today is to provide support to pupils of  primary, secondary and college levels. Through a series of games, exercises and explanations, they enable the refinement and practice of French lessons studied in class. In our opinion these activities, chosen with care by professional instructors, will be useful to those who are learning French independently.

WildFrench : This site is intended to assist both teachers and learners of French by making available a range of online resources that complement several of the courses actually in use in British schools. The material is designed for students of the late primary to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GSCE). Click on the image of the textbook of your choice for a range of extra activities to help improve your progress and have some fun. http://www.wildfrench.co.uk/

Languages Online : This website’s aim is to provide an interactive format through which pupils can practice the language they learn in a variety of exercise styles. All resources provided on this site were initially designed for use by classes. Many units come with explanations, but it is assumed that learners should have been taught the material covered prior to attempting a unit. The site also includes games to play online or to download, and listening activities. http://www.languagesonline.org.uk/

Nourrir son français : Marie-Josée Caron’s website is intended for students of French as a Second Language (FSL) or as a Foreign Language(FFL), but also for all those who feel the need to self assess or to practice the rules of the French language. It contains many links listed by categories leading to exercises or to online documents about the French language. Click on “Ingrédients” to complete activities online or on the button “Recettes” (recipes) to go to grammars or dictionaries. To learn how to guide your study efficiently, click on “Projet”. http://www.er.uqam.ca/nobel/m205160/

See you soon

We have selected for you two magazines and a blog maintained by specialized teachers of  French as a second or foreign language. They put at your disposal a large quantity of varied, enjoyable, stimulating  educational ressources, for you to enjoy as you improve your language skills. The activities and explanations contained therein will surely captivate you.

Bonjour de France.com : This great webzine is written by FSL/ FFL teachers and features free educational exercises, tests and games to learn French as well as worksheets for teachers. It includes topics such as understanding (with exercises for all levels of learning), grammar, vocabulary, teaching, idioms, business French, simulation exercises in context (mises en situation), world news, discoveries and games for all. Something for everyone. http://www.bonjourdefrance.com/bonjour.htm

La gazette Lingua franca d’alpha.b : Here is the ezine of alpha.b, a language institute specialized in teaching French as a foreign language. The entries therein are of great interest for learners of French, notably « Le français dans tous ses états » (French in all its forms), which examines proverbs, idioms, false friends and anglicisms. “Leçons et exercices de français » (Lessons and French exercises) includes activities classified by level of knowledge, from A1 to C2. There is even humor in the « Lingua Franca vous met sur le coup » (Lingua Franca puts you on the spot) to discover. http://gazette.alpha-b.fr/

Moddou FLE -Estudio de Frances : This blog is sure to please. The author, Marc Oddou, offers a fine collection of activities of all kinds, many with audio files as well as clear and concise explanations. You’ll find the following sections: grammar, with a subfolder conjugation, vocabulary and games, phonetics, TBI (for « tableau blanc interactif » – interactive whiteboard), which contains activities with very interesting options. Must see. http://www.estudiodefrances.com/

Have fun!

Bon Français Team.

Learning about French culture and the ways people react to cultures different than their own through listening comprehension exercises, what a great idea!  Mastering a second language remains such an incomplete experience without the cultural dimension.

Not surprisingly, the next stop on our guided tour leads us to a CUEF “projet Vercors” webpage where you can do just that: http://domus.grenet.fr/cuef/ccuefd/pages/unite/u1.htm.
The various listening exercises found in activities 3 and 4 of the first unit deal with what the French thinks of other cultural groups.

The expatriate testimonies found in activities 2, 3, and 4 of Unit 4 are also very interesting but slightly more complex.  Cultural shock for French people going abroad and cultural shock among the French and the French: a golden opportunity for learning more French while learning about the French!

You cannot fully understand a language if you do not understand its culture(s).  The more you learn about French culture and lifestyles in France and other countries, the richer and more exciting your experience of learning French will become.  The reading and listening comprehension and writing activity resources of the CUEF are always presented in a humorous way.  They will allow you to learn from a distance wherever you are and whatever your schedule.

The first stop on our guided tour is: http://domus.grenet.fr/cuef/ccuefd/hotpot/u2/caric_fr/u2_act1_exo1.htm.

If you are pressed for time, make sure to at least do the first exercise of the second module « Les Français en stéréotypes. »  Match pictures illustrating different ways the French is stereotyped around the world to their corresponding statements.  This short quiz will give you the opportunity to rethink your own perceptions of the French people who live in France.

A fun reading exercise and a “clin d’oeil” to the French!

As soon as you have acquired enough French vocabulary and mastered basic grammatical structures, you begin to enjoy reading longer and more complex texts, which in turns gives you direct access to the cultural world of native French speakers.  Using your newly acquired skills to express yourself in writing in your second language can be a very rewarding experience.  It allows to focus on what you really interests you and gives you the power of “choice” rather than leaving you at the mercy of your language limitations.

The series of free interactive online exercises put together by the Centre universitaire d’études françaises de l’Université Stendhal de Grenoble will help you achieve these two things in numerous ways.  Make sure to try one of their listening or reading comprehension or writing exercises on your very first visit at http://domus.grenet.fr/cuef/ccuefd/pages/pole/pol1.htm.  You will be impressed by the quality and scope of the available learning material.

It goes without saying that in the best of worlds one should stick to the learning path outlined, begin with the first unit, end with the last one, and not skip any of the exercises contained in these units.   The problem is that few of us live in that “best of worlds” and most of us are often pressed for time.  That is why I will be inviting you on a guided tour of “le monde vu par les français” in the days to come.  Stay tuned; we are about to take off. . .