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Frenchteacher updates and survey

If you have no more than five minutes to spare I am doing a quick user survey to check on what resources teachers are using and to see if there are any improvements I can bring to the site. It is here. I did a similar survey last year, following which, in response to comments, I developed the listening resources and added model answers to many of the grammar exercises.

I have had over 20 responses so far and, following the suggestion of one subscriber, I have added some hyperlinks to the top of the A-level page to make it easier to scroll down quickly to the right section. This will be useful to those who are less familiar with the layout of pages. I have also divided texts into AS level (low advanced) and A2 level (advanced) to help English and Welsh users assess the level of each resource more quickly. When I have got more responses, I'll report on any common themes.

A couple of teachers have suggested I am charging too little for the site! Well, when I decided on the pricing I decided I wanted to get as many users as possible to use the resources. This makes it seem more worthwhile to me when I am writing resources, plus, my living does not depend totally on frenchteacher.net, so I am not desperate to maximise the income at the expense of fewer users. I know how tight school budgets are too. Perhaps at some point I shall raise the subs just a little.

I have been quite busy adding new stuff recently. For a full list check the Recent additions page, but I'll just mention the following:
  • Video listening for A-level and adults on La Ligue contre le cancer. This is a very clear 3 minute video which could work at AS and A2 level, depending on whether you see the topic as health or charitable associations. The main task is gap fill for listening for detail.
  • Another Peppa Pig video with vocab and false sentences to correct. This one could be done with a good Y9 class, or Y10-11 (intermediate). I do like the clarity of these videos and I gather than Peppa is quite in vogue at the moment. Groin groin!
  • An article with exercises on the conflicting advice we are getting about nutrition. This would suit A-level and adult students.
  • An article and exercises on air pollution. Did you that it is estimated that over 7 million people die each year owing to air pollution. the victims are not who you may imagine either. A-level and adults.
  • Two video listening worksheets on simple recipes, good for high intermediate or advanced level. The internet is awash with clear and quite easy recipes in French. The visuals make the text easier to get. Comprehensible input, eh?!
  • Joanne Wallace, a tutor in Ripon, sent me a text and exercises based on a children's mini story she wrote about a naughty gingerbread man. I adapted them a bit and recommend the worksheet for Y8 or Y9. This is offered as a free sample.
Finally, just a reminder that login details should not be shared with students e.g. when using video listening sheets. The idea of these is to hand out the sheet and let students use the link to find the video. Alternatively, and this is how I would mainly use the exercises, you could present them from the front, controlling the pace and ading your own input when useful. In many schools this will be the only option if Youtube and similar sources are blocked. Please tell me if any video links go dead.

Have a good Easter!

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