So What?

Sparks, R. L., Patton, J., Ganschow, L., & Humbach, N. (2012).  Do L1 reading achievements and L1 print exposure contribute to the prediction of L2 proficiency. Language Learning 62 (2), 473-505. 

Purpose of the article: Sparks, Patton, Ganschow, and Humbach want to determine how much of an effect print exposure in elementary school has on a student’s ability to learn a foreign language in high school.

What was studied/ discussed:   They studied a group of students from first grade to tenth grade.  The students were all in the same school system, and they each took the same classes.  In high school, the students were introduced to foreign language (either French, Spanish, or German) in the ninth grade.  The authors studied the students’ reading levels and print exposure in elementary school, and then compared it to the students’ proficiency in a foreign language.

Important Terms:  print exposure, L1, L2, proficiency (p. 474)

Results:  By following a group of students from elementary school to high school and examining their reading habits and reading proficiency, they were able to draw conclusions about the link between print exposure and a student’s ability to become proficient in a foreign language in high school.  The results of the study showed that the students who had a higher print exposure in elementary school scored higher on the L2 proficiency tests. They attributed this to the prevalence of more complex grammatical structures and vocabulary in print sources that are less frequently found in spoken language. 

So What?  For the most part, I was not at all surprised by the results of this study, but it is very interesting to see the data.  Of course, they talked a lot about studies done previously about the link between L1 reading proficiency and L2 proficiency.   As a foreign language teacher, I see evidence of this every time I introduce a new grammatical concept.  While learning about direct and indirect objects may not seem too complicated for students who are familiar with English grammar, there are always a few students who have no idea what I’m talking about.  How can foreign language teachers meet the needs of these students and not leave them in the dust?  In other words, what can high school teachers do about this if the damage has already been done from lack of reading in elementary school? 

            Also, for these students who have had limited print exposure, becoming proficient a foreign language, while more difficult, is not impossible.  How much can the teacher do the help the student, and how much of the effort will have to come from the student?  By the time the students get to high school, struggling readers have already been identified.  (This also goes for students who might not have parents that encourage reading for entertainment.) In order to help these students succeed in the foreign language classroom, how could communication from school to school or grade-to-grade help foreign language teachers best teach their students?  Even though foreign language is a brand new class, so much of what they learn requires background L1 knowledge of both grammar and vocabulary.  English teachers’ input could be very valuable in this situation.   

Text Set (numéro deux)

Text Set Deux (French Slang and Idioms)  

Books
1.  Les Fables de La Fontaine, originales et revisitées (Verlan, argot et autres parodies)

By:  Caroline Pastorelli

Ages:  8+ 

For French children, Jean de la Fontaine is just as famous as Dr. Seuss is for American children.  This book takes the classic fables of Jean de la Fontaine and changes them into the French versions of slang, argot and verlan.  This is an interesting take on these fables, and it would expose the students to French slang while also giving them the opportunity to read the same stories that French kids read. 

2.  Dictionary of French Slang and Colloquial Expressions

By:  Henry Strutz

Ages:  12+ (Intermediate level and higher)  

This is your classic slang expression dictionary intended for students and travelers wishing to familiarize themselves with French slang and current expressions.  This would be a great resource to have in the classroom, just to allow students to be able to look up phrases that are used by French people their own age. 

3.  Le verlan des oiseaux et autres jeux de plume

By:  Michel Besnier 
Ages:  Intermediate +
Literally translated, the title means:  The Verlan of Birds and other Pen Games .  This is a book of poetry and plays on words focusing around the use of Verlan, which is a popular type of slang in France.  I would use excerpts from this book in class.  Since it is made up of several smaller poems, it would be perfect for use in a French classroom.  

4.  French Slanguage

By:  Michael Ellis
Ages:  Beginner+
This book provides beginners with english words and images that, when pronounced aloud, will form a word or phrase in French.  Many of the most commonly used phrases in the French language are featured, and students gain a more conversational knowledge of French, rather than just learning vocabulary words.  Also, the way the English words are combined produces a great pronunciation of (most of) the French words! At the very least, the students would enjoy trying to figure out the words and phrases!

5.  Collins Easy Learning French- Easy Learning French Idioms
Published by:  HarperCollins
Ages:  Beginner+
This is a reference book that features 250 idioms in the French language.  This would be a great resource to have in the classroom.   I would love to do a "phrase of the week" from this book in my class.  Idioms are such an important part of the French language, and they are fun to learn, as well!



6.  Five Thousand French Idioms

By:  Charles Marchand
Ages:  Advanced+
This book was written in 1918 for use by advanced French students.  What interested me in this book was the prologue, which can be seen in full in the image below.  Idioms have, throughout history, been an important component in the spirit of a language.  While studying current slang is fun, classic idioms that are still used today can be very valuable in the process of learning French.

7.  101 French Idioms:  Enrich your French conversation with colorful everyday sayings

Ages: Beginner+/ Intermediate 

By:  Jean-Marie Cassagne

In the description of this book, it says it provides a humorous explanation of literal translations of French idioms and then gives the actual meaning in French conversation.  It's always fun to talk about the literal meanings, since many of them are quite ridiculous.  This book approaches idioms in a very fun way, and I think that students would really enjoy it! 

8.  Learn to Speak like the French:  French idiomatic expressions

By:  Arnold Borton & Henri Mauffrais

Ages:  Intermediate+

This book works like a reference book in that you can look up idioms by topic.  What I really like about it is that each expression is followed by a sample sentence that gives a clear example of how it would be used in conversation.  

9.  Five Thousand French Idioms, Gallicisms, Proverbs, Idiomatic Adverbs, Idiomatic Adjectives, Idiomatic Comparisons. for Advanced French Students 

By:  Charles Marchand

Ages:  Advanced

Getting into the history of the language, this book explores old French proverbs and idioms that form the basis of the French language that is spoken today.  Even though the book is meant for advanced students, I could see myself pulling phrases out of it that corresponded with what we were teaching in a lower level class.  

10.  A Dictionary of French and English Equivalent Proverbs

By:  Teodor Flonta

Ages:  Intermediate+

Instead of looking at phrases unique to French, this book focuses on expressions that are used in both French and English.  Since students would already be familiar with the majority of the English expressions, they would more easily be able to incorporate these expressions into their conversational French.  

Websites

11. Expressions Idiomatiques

http://www.bonjourdefrance.com/index/indexexpresidiom.htm

This website provides a variety of activities for learners of every level.  From the home page, you select your level, and then you can choose a mini lesson on a specific idiomatic expression.  This would be a fun activity to do as a bellringer or as a whole class activity.

12.  French Expression of the Week

Age:  High-Beginner+
http://french.about.com/od/expressionoftheweek/French_Expression_of_the_Week.htm


This website on about.com provides 52 idiomatic expressions that are used in French, one for every week of the year! By focusing on one expression per week, students will be more likely to remember the meanings of the expressions.  I would imagine that I would use the phrase throughout the week and provide some kind of assessment at the end of the semester.  

13.  Les Expressions Idiomatique

Age:  Beginner+

https://www.k12.gov.sk.ca/docs/francais/fransk/fran/sec/prg_etudes/expi.html

I really like that this site divides idiomatic expressions into three categories: body parts, animals, and then general.  This kind of organization helps students draw meaning from the symbolic nature of each of these things within the French culture.  This site also provides origins for each expression, which could lead to some great culture discussions.  

14.  Funny French Sayings

Age:  Beginner- Intermediate+
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/funny-french-sayings.html

I really enjoy this website of funny French sayings.  This would be really easy to use once a week for a while to give the students some insight into some funny French expressions that are used regularly.  The images that go along with the phrases are engaging, and I think students would really enjoy reading the humorous explanations.  

Applications

15.  Expressions Idiomatiques

Age:  Intermediate/ Advanced

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/expressions-idiomatiques/id406514219?mt=8

This is an application that can be downloaded to an ipad or iphone that helps students learn idiomatic expressions in French.  I like that it has a variety of expressions and that the explanations are also in French.  The downside to this is that beginner and even early intermediate students would struggle to read the meanings of the idioms.  

Reflection 10

These days, it's rare that students do 100% of research using solely print sources.  Everything is online, and students need to know how to access credible information.  Chapter 10 gave two different methods that students can use to determine the validity of an internet source.  When performing a simple google search, students sometimes click on the first site they see.  The methods presented in the chapter give students an idea of what to look for when searching online.  Students are told to look for key elements like author's credibility, potentially biased ideas, and advertisements on the page.  This skill is something that should not be overlooked, and is just as important if not even more important than being able to do research using print sources.  A physical library just cannot compete with the amount of resources available online, and students should be taught to recognize valid sources and find important information within that source.  I really liked that the first method encouraged students to take a step back and look at the resource as a whole before just beginning to jot down information.  This chapter is extremely relevant for my class and me this week because we are in the middle of a research project.  I will be sure to me mindful of what sources my students are using so that I can help them build this skill!

Web Resource Review #2

La Chanson en Cours de FLE
http://platea.pntic.mec.es/~cvera/hotpot/chansons/index.htm

Ok, I know that this website looks extremely childish at first glance, but don't judge it too harshly by its appearance! This has been so helpful to me in finding French songs that are relevant in both grammar and vocabulary to what we're studying.  I've started a tradition in my class that every Friday, we listen to or sing a song!  I always try to use songs that use whatever grammar structure we're studying at the time, and this site has been so helpful in that.  I put the words on a flipchart, and then we go over the meaning together as a class.  It's a less conventional reading strategy, but I've found that the kids really enjoy it!

Pitcher et al.: Assessing Adolescents' Motivation to Read

I liked that this article focused on students' interests and the importance of fostering readers that actually enjoy reading, and therefore will continue to read into adulthood.  Rather than just making assumptions about why adolescents are not motivated to read, the authors asked the students what kind of things they wanted to read.  As teachers, we think carefully about every text we give to our students.  We think about content and reading level and grammatical concepts presented... but how often to we think about students' interest.  While it plays a role, it is rarely the main focus.   The difficult part is that we have a curriculum that we have to cover, and sometimes the materials that match are not quite as interesting. I have a little more freedom as an untested subject in that I can take the time to read a fun story even if it isn't the most informational text in the world.  I can understand how English or Math teachers might feel a lot more pressure about completing all the required texts before moving on to the "fun things."

Text Set #1

Topic:  Traveling the Different Regions of France

 Books

The Regions of France: A Reference Guide to History and Culture

By:  M. Wayne Northcutt

Ages 12+

This is a reference style book that emphasizes that Paris is not France.  Reviewers of this book said that it was easy to find information and that it is an all encompassing text. 

 Travel Through: France

By: Teacher Created Resources (Author) , Linda Pickwell (Contributor)

Ages 8+

This book is unique because it is designed for children.  It is only 32 pages long, and it is easy to read. 

France (Enchantment of the World)

By:  Liz Sonneborn 

Publisher:  Scholastic

Ages: 8+

This book gives an overview of modern France and its regions with an emphasis on tourist attractions.  I like that this book has a lot of pictures and easy to read facts. 

The Discovery of France: A Historical Geography

By:  Graham Robb

Ages: 12+

This book uncovers history the regions of France that are not usually discussed.  I like that it presents an unusual side of French history and geography.   

Modern France: A Very Short Introduction

By:  Vanessa R. Schwartz

Ages: 12+

This book talks about modern France and its influence in the world today.  Reviewers of the book commented on its readability and its ability to captivate the reader. 

Mon Premier Tour de France

By:  Didier Mounie

Ages: 5-8

This is a book designed for French children to introduce them to France and its various regions.  This would be a great book for low level French students as an introduction to French geography.  

                                        

L'Imagerie de la France

By:  Emilie Beaumont, Stéphanie Redoulès, Sophie Toussaint, and Isabelle Rognoni 

Age 5+

Another children's book designed for French children, this book provides beautiful pictures in a format that is easy for low level French students.  I like that the book is divided by region, and each region has its own section.  

Geography of France

By:  Raoul Blanchard

Ages: 12+

This is a reprint of a historical in which each region is explored individually.  In the description, it tells on which page each region can be found.  This would be a very informational text, but it may be difficult for struggling readers to understand.  

Websites

• The Regions of France

http://about-france.com/regions.htm

Grades 7+

I really like the layout and accessibility of this site.  From the map on the homepage, you click on a region to see pictures, maps, and information about the specific region.  

• Les Régions de la France

http://www.france.fr/regions-et-metropoles/les-regions-francaises

Grades 7+

This site provides a very basic overview of each region of France and the tourist attractions it has to offer. 

• HowStuffWorks:  France

http://geography.howstuffworks.com/europe/france.htm

Grade 7+

This site gives a more thorough explanation of each region and its specific geographical and cultural features. 

• France: Regions in Brief 

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/france/734353

This site gives a short blurb about each region with facts about its tourist sites with traveling tips.  

• Clickable Map of France

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/fr(.html

Students are presented with a map of France with each region labeled.  When you click on a region, you are taken to an informational page that gives information on the history and geography of each region.  I like that it is interactive! 

• French Tourist Office

http://www.francetourism.com/practicalinfo/regions.htm

This is another interactive map that allows you to click on a region to learn about it.  I like that this site gives a list of each city in the region with a short blurb about the city and what it has to offer.  

• Travel France Online

http://www.travelfranceonline.com/

This site is a bit difficult to navigate, but I like the information presented about each regions.  There are legends and stories to go along with each region in addition to the general information.