It’s not uncommon to see a student yawning, with a blank and disinterested look, during a French as a foreign language lesson. Faced with these signs of boredom, it is essential for the teacher to react quickly in order to recapture the student’s attention and make learning more engaging. What should be done in these moments when interest seems to wane?
Here are some effective strategies to revitalize your lessons and maintain your students’ engagement.
1. Vary the Activities
Alternate between written exercises, discussions, role-playing, and interactive activities. This variety can keep the student’s interest. On espaceproffle.com, most worksheets consist of several elements: a reading section, a listening or video section, the “Did you know?” part, and a bank of questions for oral comprehension. Don’t hesitate to switch between these different sections to maintain a dynamic and stimulating pace.
2. Use Multimedia Resources
Incorporate videos, songs, podcasts, and online articles. Audio-visual content can make lessons more lively and attractive. For more information, see:
• Videos in the FLE Classroom: La vidéo en classe de FLE
• Songs in the FLE Classroom: La chanson en classe de FLE
3. Suggest Personal Projects
Encourage the student to choose a topic they are passionate about and prepare a presentation or project on it. This will give them a personal goal to achieve.
Examples:
• Family Tree: Ask the student to create a detailed family tree, including descriptions and stories about each family member.
• CV (Resume): Have the student write a resume in French, detailing their education, experiences, and skills.
• Personal Blog: Encourage the student to start a blog on a topic of their choice, writing regular posts in French.
These personal projects allow students to engage with the language in a meaningful and relevant way, enhancing their interest and motivation.
4. Incorporate Educational Games
Use vocabulary games, quizzes, charades, and other fun activities to make learning more enjoyable.
Example:
• House Furnishing Game: This game allows students to furnish their future house while learning the French names for various furniture and household items. They can create a floor plan and label each item in French, enhancing their vocabulary in an interactive and engaging way.
5. Use Stories and Anecdotes
Telling captivating stories or sharing cultural anecdotes can help make the lesson more interesting. It’s not always easy, but you surely have an anecdote to share. For example, a story about a Parisian waiter who refused to serve you a cappuccino after dinner (true story!). Even if it’s in a language other than French, it will lighten the atmosphere and, let’s be honest, it’s part of the culture.
6. Change the Pace
Alternate between intense concentration periods and lighter activities or informal discussions. Regular breaks can also help maintain attention. Unsure how to use 10 minutes between blocks? Use our FicheFlash.
7. Personalize the Lessons
Tailoring content to the student’s interests is essential for maintaining their engagement. For example, if the student enjoys sports, incorporate articles and discussions on this topic. You will find many resources on this subject on espaceproffle.com, allowing you to personalize your lessons effectively and relevantly.
8. Encourage Active Participation
Ask open-ended questions, invite the student to share their opinions, and foster debates to stimulate their interest and engagement. For example, when teaching the conjugation of the verbs “être” and “avoir,” you might ask your student to say a sentence with the verb “avoir” in their language and translate it. If they say, “J’ai un beau cul”? (Yes, true story again ;) ). Great! Use this opportunity to point out pronunciation differences: “Ah, yes, and the Mona Lisa has a very lovely neck!” (un très joli cou). Humor is essential for lightening the mood and reinforcing learning.
9. Use Interactive Online Tools
Utilize interactive educational applications and platforms that offer varied and dynamic activities. For example, you can use Quizlet for flashcards, games on espaceproffle.com, or even videos on TikTok to make lessons more lively and engaging.
10. Give Responsibilities
Assign responsibilities to the student, such as leading part of the lesson or helping explain a grammatical point, to increase their involvement. Working with a couple or a group of students? Ask one student to explain a grammatical issue to their partner. You can also ask them to prepare a teaching aid, a diagram, or an illustration. This collaborative approach promotes mutual support and reinforces knowledge.
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