French Language Resources

Frequent practice is the quickest and easiest way of becoming competent in speaking and writing another language. The following list offers a variety of styles of resources for you to explore including films, audiotapes, newspapers, journals, books and other resources.

Print, A/V and Digital resources in MHS Library

These can be borrowed to take home or can be used in the library:

Okapi , a French-language journal. Issues for the current year are displayed on journal racks near the borrowing desk. Available for overnight borrowing.
Bilingual short stories in the Fiction section are available on 3 week loan.
French language books are shelved next to the journal racks and are available for a 3 week loan. The collection includes Asterix and Tin Tin comic books as well as French classics and adventure stories for those who want a greater challenge.
French language CD Roms - select cover from the CD Rom stand near the Reference area and take to the Enquiry Desk.
The Age Greenguide gives notice of radio and TV programmes to be screened in the coming week.
Check for news reports, documentaries & movies in French and/or about France.
A range of French films and movies are available from the library on overnight loan. Search for these in the library catalog general search by combining terms such as French with DVD or videorecording. Some French videos can be viewed through Media on demand available via the school network.

 

Web Resources

As a Language student you might choose to regularly spend some homework or private study time exploring these links as a great way to sharpen your language skills and broaden your vocabulary.

Log onto the internet. Listen to international news online (headphones available from the Enquiry Desk for use with the library PCs).

Even if you only pick up a few words, you are improving your ability to understand the language delivered at a faster pace. Read online newspapers and magazines for contemporary events, opinions and analysis.

Websearching

French search tools
http://fslactivities.sd61.bc.ca/langarts.html
Comprehensive Canadian web page of search tools and links to a large variety of French-language web pages

DidacSource – French online library of learning materials
http://www.educasource.education.fr
French browsers & links. Includes software, games, publications and discussion lists.

Watching and listening

SBS Television
http://www.sbs.com.au/whatson/
Program guide to check for French films and news broadcasts

ABC Education for Schools Extra http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/E/extra/french_flash_
home.html
E-zine on popular topics of interest to secondary students

France inside out
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/languages/france_insideout/index.
shtml
Travelogue to 5 main French cities, Marseilles, Lyon Montpellier Toulouse and Paris– both English and French versions.

BBC Languages
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/index.shtml
Includes video & audio clips

Languageguide.org Francais http://www.languageguide.org/francais/lectures/
Readings with sound and including an online guide to French Grammar with examples, conjugations, tenses, noun gender etc.

BBC Education – talk French http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/languages/french/talk/index.shtml
Language course for beginners, includes video and audio comprehension
exercises

Bonjour de France
http://www.bonjourdefrance.com/
Includes idiomatic expressions, comprehension, grammar, etc.


Reading

La Francophonie
http://www.francophonie.org
Updated daily, this exclusively French-speakers site offers a huge range of sites in French, about 200 themes listed alphabetically. From Multi-fenetres, users can navigate through French-speaking countries such as Africa, Algeria, Belgium, etc. Includes news, cooking, job-searching, etc.

Le superweb – France 3 jeunesse http://www.france3.fr/jeunesse/index.html
E-zine of France televisions, useful current affairs articles for senior French students.

Official site of the Eiffel Tower
http://www.tour-eiffel.fr
Explore the Eiffel Tower in 3D.

FranceKeys
http://www.francekeys.com/francais/
Explore France

 

Writing

French language course
http://www.jump-gate.com/languages/french
Helps users to develop written communication skills.

French quizzes http://eleaston.com/french.html
Links to French quizzes from all over the world

Bof
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/haberg/index.htm
French teaching resources with activities dealing with aspects of everyday life.


Grammar

Word2word
http://www.word2word.com/dictionary.html
Free online dictionaries, translation services, educational language software and more.

Ameliorez votre orthographe
http://www.montefiore.ulg.ac.be/~bronne/pivot/trucs.html
Tips on French grammar & spelling in French

Grimoire FRE 180Y. Accueil (Introduction To French Studies)
http://french.chass.utoronto.ca/fre180/
A complete French course with grammar lessons, vocabulary; and literature with extracts of texts. Includes tests with answers, advice on essay writing. Good for unit writing and reading.

Web-based activities
http://www.virginia.edu/~french/resource/students/web/
Links to online dictionaries and a grammar course with exercises and answers, with some interesting activities

Bonjour de France
http://www.bonjourdefrance.com/
Includes idiomatic expressions, comprehension, grammar, etc.

Globegate: a culture and language supersite
http://globegate.utm.edu/
Links to some useful sites for French grammar and cultural activities

 

 

Marie Buckland
Melbourne High School Library
19th December, 2005