Higher: Something to think about over the break

Don't forget the impending deadlines noted in your diaries!

As we have been working our way through the Lifestyles unit, we have looked at the following topic areas:

* Family, Friends and Society
* The role of the individual in Society

I would ask that you treat page 11 of booklet A as a checklist; if you missed anything through late entry in to the class or for any other reason, it is worth completing the exercises and looking over each language point you're not sure of. The relevant SCHOLAR pages will also help and provide instant feedback.

At this point, I have to stress again that there is absolutely no substitute for learning the vocabulary!

If you're finding your workload challenging, use the break to think about how you manage your time given that you do get an appropriate amount of homework in all of your subjects. If you found recent class tests challenging, you need to look at the way you go about learning new words and phrases. Small chunks and often usually works best; I've also recommended finding ways of incorporating them in to your writing and speaking activities. There are more suggestions on a poster on my classroom door.

Standard Grade: revision hints

Over the next few weeks, you should be starting to think about your prelims. The earlier you start to revise, the more painless it will be!

• You will be tested not only on vocabulary covered in class but on your ability to cope with less familiar topics. This is why Past Paper-based lessons are so important and you are encouraged to approach such work with such focus.

• Your first port of call should be your vocab sheet and the work you've done in class over the past two years.

• For Reading, make sure that your dictionary skills are up to scratch (sheet recommended in previous post) and that you use techniques discussed in class.

• The Listening prelim is held the week before the rest of the prelims start. (update: Pupils have been invited to Supported Study on Monday 9th November, Tuesday the 17th November and Monday the 23rd November. Listening will be the main focus.)

• For all exams make sure that you attempt all questions. Remember that you are expected to pick out information and not necessarily understand everything.

• Useful sites have been/will be recommended for your use.

• Click the label SG Revision, for a variety of sites I've recommended in the past.

H/Int 2: The story so far

Just a quick recap of what you've looked at in my part of the course so far:

Grammar

* Present tense regular verbs (-er, -ir, -re)
* Present tense: 4 most common irregular verbs (aller, avoir, être and faire)
* Present tense: devoir, vouloir, pouvoir, prendre
* Present tense reflexive verbs (Wed)

Quick recap here or you can double-check conjugations when writing here should you need it, although this is no substitute for learning verbs!

Extended Reading and Viewing

* We have watched Amélie
* We have gone over the requirements of the NAB
* Task has been given out and you should be working on it
* Give yourself a practice run the weekend before the NAB, compare it to your correct version and see what you're not doing well

Listening

* Intermediate 2 tasks before the holidays (also on the topic of family relationships)
* Papa Poule (+new vocab) and related exercises
* Parents séparés (+ new vocab) and related exercises

Short Essay/Speaking

* Two given before the holidays
* Essay just completed, corrected and ready to redraft.

Higher/Int 2: building up vocabulary for Speaking/Writing

Your starting point should be the materials we use in class (which should now be copied on to your USB key) and the vocabulary lists we have referred you to. When we go through the vocabulary, you should be highlighting phrases you want to copy, contradict or adapt for your own circumstances and, if you have a specific question, do ask at the time!

There are some useful sites online but it often takes time to sift through all the things that you don't need for now. One such site is Frenchteacher.net; everything on this page is aimed at pupils preparing for A-levels but if you scroll down to near the bottom there are vocab lists, small sections of which could be of some help. No vocabulary list can or should contain everything you want to say. You should also be learning to find what you need in your own dictionary and grammar notes, and work at being more confident in constructing your own sentences independently. If you need help in this, let your teacher know.

Keep an eye on this post; if I come across relevant material that could be useful, I'll let you know here.

Materials

It is important to take care of the jotters, vocabulary sheets and any other materials you are given out. Whatever stage you are at, you will be expected to build upon your existing knowledge of French.

If you are in Standard Grade, keep in mind that you will be examined on topics from S3 and S4. Work from previous years is often a good starting point when you come across a similar topic that goes in to more detail.

Pupils in S5 and S6 are asked to come to all classes equipped with the following:

- their USB key
- a French-English dictionary
- a notebook to keep extra notes on grammar and vocab

Grammar

If you're not feeling confident about your grammar, it might just be a case of looking at it from a different perspective. Try looking at the following sites for alternate explanations and the chance to practise through interactive exercises.

I know you'll be glued to these sites this weekend :-)


http://french.about.com/od/grammar/French_Grammar.htm

http://www.french-linguistics.co.uk/grammar/

Let me know if you would like more practice!

Higher and Int 2: Listening

I recommended that my new Higher/Int 2 class spend a little time listening to authentic French media over the next few weeks and months. This will help them get used to the way that French sounds and approach work with more confidence. I gave them a list to start them off:

Authentic Media:

Curiosphere - aimed at pupils and students in France.

MonJTquotidien - newsround-style clips.

NRJ - and other French radio stations.

French TV Stations such as TF1

Sites aimed at learners of French or developed by French teachers:

Dailyfrenchpod

Lafrancebis

Listening practice aimed at AS/A2 pupils.

S2: to help with upcoming Learning Homework

Exam dates

Exams are almost upon us.

Standard Grade French: Thursday 14th May 2009

Intermediate 2/Higher French: Friday 22nd May 2009

Please make sure you know where each of your exams take place, when they begin and how many you have to attend. You cannot 'opt out' and not attend if you are to get an overall grade.

Bonne chance et bon courage!

Intermediate 2

As I promised all (!) of you; information to help you revise. I'll add to this when I can.

You need to go over things like grammar, particularly tenses, and all of the basics that could trip you up. You also need to be up-to-date with your Directed Writing preparation as you could potentially achieve full marks in this. Some of the links I've recommended to S4 will be of use to you too.

The BBC Learning Zone has lots of interesting clips as does Mon JT Quotidien. Do listen to them, even if you don't get much from it because it does help you get used to hearing how French should sound and to listening for the duration of a clip from your listening paper.

Les clés de l'actualité junior. It is no longer updated but the archive goes back years. I have some exercises I've created from this but you could specify your own topics to revise (e.g. espace, santé, loisirs).

The Resource Pack we've used this year. Attempt the reading exercises not done in class and read the transcripts while listening to the audio files (if you haven't got them, bring in a USB key).

The SQA past paper section has the 2007 and 2008 papers, including the 2008 Listening audio file. Listen while reading the transcript as this will help you to get used to how French sounds. Previous past papers have been or will be done in class but you can also buy these in bookshops. If they don't have the CD, we can arrange for you to copy them.

The Ashcombe School has lots of excellent exercises aimed at preparing their pupils for GCSE/AS level. The vocabulary is similar even if the tasks are different. You should aim for the Higher Tier of GCSE.

S4 Revision

Your revision should be well underway by now and you should be reviewing chunks of vocabulary for a set period of time each day. In my previous post, I linked you to some useful sites where you could do this using interactive exercises. I have also mentioned in class where to find a vocab list and other useful materials.

The SQA past paper section has the 2008 Listening audio file for Foundation and General (and Credit). Listen while reading the transcript as this will help you to get used to how French sounds. The Intermediate 1 paper will also help you with this, although the format of the exam is different. Previous past papers have been or will be done in class but you can also buy these in bookshops. If they don't have the CD, come to school with a USB key after the holidays and do the rest of your revision in the meantime.

Good Dictionary Skills are invaluable and this sheet from the Collins website will help you make sure you know how to use a dictionary efficiently and effectively.

At the BBC Languages site there are a variety of resources that can help you. Look out for the video clips you can listen to with subtitles in French. You may remember them from class this year.

The Ashcombe School has lots of excellent exercises aimed at preparing their pupils for GCSE. The vocabulary is similar even if the tasks are different.

There are also a variety of resources you can buy in shops. However, make sure that you do look over the free resources and advice first, e.g. BBC Bitesize.

Revision

Revision should be based around your work from throughout S3 and S4 and the vocab list from Métro Pour l'Ecosse. However, here is a reminder of some of the sites I've recommended to my S4 F/G classes recently.

BBC Bitesize for Standard Grade French

France Live has worksheets that can help you practice Reading skills and find out more about France.

Fusée has some useful exercises using real internet sites.

Language Guide - vocabulary, grouped by topic, complete with sound.

Quia - type in the topic you want to revise.

Revision World - aimed at GSCE but provides useful vocabulary.

Zut (not available 9AM-4PM weekdays)

International Day of Francophonie

La francophonie is a way of referring to the group of people worldwide united by the common everyday use of the French language. The 20th of March is a day when this bond, as well as cultural differences, can be celebrated.

Wikipedia guide to the history of the French language.

What is la Francophonie?

La Francophonie dans le monde.

How French affected the development of the English language.

The BBC Learning Zone has lots of interesting clips.

Listening

Lots of people find Listening tasks hardest to do well in. The vocabulary isn't necessarily more difficult, but it does sound a lot different to what you might expect. There are things you can do.

• Learn your vocabulary thoroughly - there is absolutely no substitute for this.
• Make a note of the kind of words and phrases that frequently appear in exam papers.
• Listen to French being spoken while reading a transcript in French. You often recognise the words when you see them and this will help you familiarise yourself with the sounds. You can do this with past papers and at places like the BBC French language site.
  
• Access French audio-visual materials online. You will hear how French should sound and, eventually, you will be able to pick out information. Try Mon JT Quotidien or other sites recommended in class.
• Make sure you read your instructions and questions carefully!
  

Bienvenue!

This is a new blog for my French classes. Here you will be able to find a variety of resources to help you with homework and revision.