H/ Int 2 Class

Don't forget the homework you have been set this week. For help with irregular verbs in the present tense, look at http://french.about.com/od/grammar/a/topverbs.htm or any of the other sites I have suggested.

Do remember when preparing the homework I have given that all pupils who have been through French from S1 to S4 are expected to know a basic level of vocabulary by now!

Also, those who were absent before the holidays are expected to go over regular -er, -ir and -re verbs in their own time but can ask for help if needed.

Higher/Int 2 French 2010-2011

It is strongly recommended that you look over the work you did in class in June. So far we have looked at:

Grammar

We have spent time going over the present tense. We have covered:

• regular -er verbs


• regular -ir verbs


• regular -re verbs


• some common irregular verbs: aller, avoir, être and faire


• adjectives

Topics

• descrptions of people


• relationships with family and friends

Coming Up

• more about family, friends


• school and future plans


• we will be watching and writing in French about the film Amélie (as a NAB)

Reminder: Study day

The Modern Languages department is having a morning of extra revision for its Higher French pupils tomorrow, Friday 14th May in the Library.

Also a reminder that you all have a stock of preparation for the Listening/Writing paper, perhaps filed differently or forgotten about once March was over!

Other useful sites I've come across:

Podcasts with exam tips - well worth the time.

Reading practice

Listening practice - scroll to the bottom of the page

Holiday Homework

As warned promised:

Have a look here (2008): Faut-il rétablir l'uniforme à l'école?

1. How do those against the school uniform describe it? (2)

2. What does the author say in defence of the uniform? (2)

3. Is it becoming more or less popular? (1)

4. (lines 17 on). What potential advantages does it have? (5)

5. What causes this 'violence'? (2)

6. (lines 36 on) How does the author conclude the article? (3)

7. Find in French: opponents; abroad; save the life of; bullying; brand-name trainers

8. Write the English for: ancienne; terrain; auquel; tenter; lutter

Revision

I'm sure you're sick of hearing it but it is true: you cannot expect to rely on last-minute cramming to get you through. This applies to any subject, of course, but it really is particularly true for Modern Languages. You should already have started revising at home.

Things to remember:

• Work from both years of Standard Grade can and will be important.
• Vocabulary is best learned in small chunks.
• Find exercises appropriate to the level you are sitting.
• 'Easy' topics like numbers, time, subjects etc are the things that can trip you up.
• Sites aimed at GSCE students are at the correct level of language for you but their exams are different to yours. Vocabulary lists will be suitable.

Previous posts sharing the same labels have lists of websites pupils have found helpful in the past. Other sites I've recommended recently vary from the basic to the more challenging.

A tantôt (login required) and A tantôt Extra (interactive exercises include Fling the Teacher)

La France Bis - exercises in Listening, or you can listen and read at once to familiarise yourself with the sounds of French.

Français Extra

Le Point du FLE - especially Interactive vocab games

Word Prof - aimed at GCSE and A-level.

Let me know if you come across any I should add.

Not sure how to prounounce words?

This site Miss Mula told me about might help.

• Type in what you want to say - correctly! If you make a mistake, it won't pronounce it properly.
• I'd type in a document, with correct accents and paste it in to the box.
• Select language as French (or Spanish or which you want) or the lanaguage you have typed in.
• Adjust the speed.
• You are give the option of embedding this in an email or web page.

Remember, though, results can only be as good as the work you put in to it.

Au supermarché