When teaching French, engaging students may be difficult at times. When students feel as if they’re not good at French, or they’re not interested in learning French, they can shut down. Some students may say that they’re only taking French because it’s a required class or they’ll pose the questions “How will French help me in the future?” “Why should I learn French?” This is not the mindset we want for our students. We want our students to enjoy learning French, view it as a positive and show up to French class eager to learn each day.
how to work on engaging students from day one:
If you are ever faced with students who display difficult mindsets when it comes to French class, you can reference “Why Learn French Activities for the First Day of School.”
So, how do you go about engaging students and keeping them interested in learning French?
1) From the first day of school, establish a relaxed, no pressure environment.
Students crave a comfortable, low stress classroom. Start class by greeting your students at the door. This is a great time to smile at your students and let them know that today is going to be a great day in French class! Make it known that you are happy that they have shown up to your class and exude as much positivity as you can. All students want to show up to French class with a happy, positive and smiling teacher! While class is in session, you can play music if the students are working in small groups or independently, French music, of course! This will set a more relaxed tone. This will contribute to helping your students concentrate.
2) Get to know your students and their interests! this helps with engaging students because you have a relationship.
Getting to know your students as individuals from the very beginning proves that your classroom is a very inclusive environment. Not only will knowing your students' likes and dislikes keep them engaged in your class, but it will allow students to feel safe and comfortable with you moving forward. Getting to know likes and dislikes can help you plan French lessons around some of those interests. When students are interested in the topic you are presenting, they will show they are ready to learn, and will become engaged during your French class. Using their interests in your French class will allow them to make necessary real world connections!
3) Eliminate calling on the students who do not have their hands raised.
One word, STRESS! As teachers, we sometimes feel that if students don’t raise their hands, they haven’t been paying attention or they don’t know the answer to what we’re asking them. As much as this can be true, it can put a student in a very uncomfortable situation. Speaking a language you’ve never spoken before can be daunting. Keeping this in mind, try and facilitate activities that engage students as a whole. This way, you can still make sure all of your students are participating, but keep them comfortable in the classroom.
4) Play games and facilitate fun activities aimed at engaging students!
Learning truly becomes more engaging when you spice it up with games and activities once and a while! While your students are in small groups, this will give you time to walk around and observe your students who understand the French lesson and who may need extra help. Some popular French class activities can include:
Task Cards-You can use task cards as a warm up or as a follow up activity in your French class. When students enter class, they can choose 2-3 cards at the front of the room and answer the questions in French in a journal or on a response card. You can also use task cards for first finishers, as exit tickets, or in small groups. This is a great way for students to become more familiar with French vocabulary.
French Guessing Game-Students can be separated into small groups. Students will take turns choosing an item in the classroom. The rest of the group must ask questions in French to the student who chose the item. The student who chose the item can only respond with “oui et non.” Whoever guesses the word correctly, in French, can go next!
French Bingo-French teachers can prepare and print BINGO cards for each student. Each box of the BINGO card should have a picture corresponding to the French unit you are currently teaching. The teacher will call out a word in French and students will be responsible for crossing off that picture on their BINGO board if it appears. The first person to get BINGO can win a small prize!
French Pictionary-French teachers can create index cards or printables with the vocabulary words corresponding with the French unit they are currently teaching. For example: Les Matières. Students will be provided one whiteboard and one dry erase maker. A student will pick one card and begin drawing a picture of that vocabulary word. The other students in the group must guess what the picture is, in French!
Engaging students in the process of learning French can pose challenges at times. There are instances when students might feel inadequate or uninterested in acquiring the language, leading them to disengage, but hopefully these teaching tips will help you and your students succeed.