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.