F.L.U.E.N.T. in 40'

F.L.U.E.N.T. in 40'

1. F

   • FOCUS 100%
     • Listen, listen, listen
       • It is a foreign language, after all
         • Don't settle for the gist: aim to understand every single word
           • Think about HOW the language is working
             • Not just on the meaning
               • It's fine to need something to be repeated
                 • But only if you've listened the first time
                   • Otherwise, it wastes time
                     • Focus on pronunciation and intonation so you can imitate
                       • Be actively on the LOOK-OUT for new lexis
                         • Stop doodling/fiddling with your pen and just FOCUS

2. L

   • LEARN FROM MISTAKES
     • FACT: non-native speakers make mistakes
       • It's fine to make a mistake
         • The key thing is not to make the same mistake TWICE
           • Don't rest until you have UNDERSTOOD the source of your error

3. U

   • USE NEW LEXIS
     • Force yourself to use newly learned words
       • Tick off new words in your notebook as you use them
         • Showcase your new vocabulary in all oral work and EW
           • There are no marks for "knowing but not showing"
             • Show what you know!

4. E

   • ENGAGE and GET INVOLVED
     • Try to take part in as much oral work as possible
       • Step one: put your hand up!
         • Eye contact: look at whoever is talking and don't switch off
           • Listen to boys too, and assess the quality of their language
             • By spotting THEIR errors you will be consolidating your own French
               • Underline, annotate, be proactive with all materials
                 • Engage with them
                   • Extract new lexis from them

5. N

   • NOTE DOWN ALL NEW LEXIS
     • Not just what goes on the board
       • Note down extra words and phrases your teacher uses and STEAL them
         • It is your job to leave each school with as many new items of lexis as possible
           • "NEW"= anything you couldn't have produced yourself from English to French
             • "we didn't learn much today" = you failed to listen carefully enough and take notes
               • Consolidate your notes regularly by glancing through before the lesson starts

6. T

   • TARGET LANGUAGE
     • Every word of English YOU use in school is holding YOU back
       • "Comment dit-on 'SHELF' en français" is fine, of course
         • It's just lazy
           • If you must speak to a neighbour, say it in French
             • Virtually anything you say in the target language counts as "relevant" and "on task"
               • And anything in English is usually unproductive and unnecessary
                 • It spoils the Target Language mood
                   • Don't do it
                     • Although your teacher may sometimes use English for speed's sake, you don't need to
                       • You don't have any urgent or complicated announcements to make
                         • You are there to PRACTISE your French
                           • Get practising!
                         • You don't have any complicated grammatical explanations to give
         • "What's the French for 'SHELF' again, Sir" isn't
       • It's a wasted opportunity

7. Or making the most of every single lesson

Images and files in the map