Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
What 9th graders in the 2nd year French classes have said when asked what their strategies for success are. In class LISTENING I pay attention fully, listening actively and hard (especially at the start of class). I listen to everything the teacher says and to the conversations he has with students. I repeat the new words over in my head as the teacher gives definitions and explains them. I try to think only in French. WATCHING I watch (stare at, glue my eyes to) the teacher, I make eye contact with him. I show him how it is going. I watch the screen for visual aids. I watch the mouth of the person(s) speaking during the videos. READING I read the texts and I underline the words I don�t understand in the texts. I study the texts (I �stare� at new words: recognize, remember, guess, skip). I follow along in the texts. I know where we are in the texts during class discussions. I take side notes on the texts and the worksheets in French. I write synonyms and I draw pictures or symbols so I can remember later. I write word definitions in English in a separate notebook. I read the texts quietly out loud to myself and work on pronunciation. UNDERSTANDING I make every effort to understand when the teacher speaks and the texts. I tell the teacher immediately when I don�t understand. (�Shout�, r�p�tez s.v.p., lentement s.v.p.). I ask for help. WORKING IN CLASS I get to class early and complete some of the assignments if not already done. I warm up in class as soon as the bell rings. I review whatever we did last time. I complete all tasks (underlining, Q/A M&J, short stories etc. BEFORE we discuss them in class). I answer as many questions as I can (in English �en anglais s.v.p.� or in French). I devote my time to the class when the bell rings. I study in class when there is time. I practice answering questions with a friend. ATTITUDE I don�t worry about knowing what every word means. I understand what is basically being said by the teacher or in the texts. I accept that I can get confused too and I remain positive. I participate. I repeat with intent when I am asked to do so by the teacher. I ask friends for help sometimes. I go over things I don�t understand with a friend. I focus. I try to soak in as much as possible. I use my French notebook (to warm up and to participate) and I make it pretty. I stay awake. I set a goal for myself to help me want to learn more I join along. I don�t speak about other things in English to my friends. I am HAPPY, I have fun, I sing along, and I peak French to my neighbors. I have an interest in the class. It�s not fair to the other students and the teacher if a student does not have an interest. At home MAINTAINING I read through my notebook out-loud. I stare at words. I maintain once or twice a week for 15 or 20 minutes reading past texts. [The teacher recommends 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week] I noticed that the French class goes much better when I review. I study 2 or 3 times a week for 5 to 10 minutes on whatever we are working on that week or what we did earlier during class that day so I can become familiar with the words. I make sure I memorize what I read and study before a test. I read and re- read and re-read the texts. I prepare post-it notes to give the teacher at the next class. I have tried to get on a schedule in which I work on French for 30 minutes twice a week. I try to remember the actions the teacher did in class to remember a word. STUDYING I complete the tasks the teacher assigns us (RHiCC) and I color my notebook. I look up a word I am not sure of on www.tv5.org or other places, such as a French dictionary. I write words and their short definitions in French several times on a piece of scratch paper to help me remember them. I look up the translation in English, if there are words that I still don�t understand after asking the teacher or looking them up in French. INTERNET I look up on the internet and listen to the songs we sing in class, also videos. I download French songs that I like to listen to. I watch every day the French news for kids on www.playbacpresse.fr/JTMQ/ SPEAKING I talk to my sister, about twice a week, about the things we are doing in class, what movies we are watching, what words we are learning etc� I talk in French to a friend (outside of class) or a relative who knows French. They explain words I don�t understand. I practice sentence structure and pronunciation with them. I have French conversations with them about what we learned in class. I read to my dog out of the materials I have in my notebook. I say a French sentence to my parents while making dinner and ask them what they think it means. I teach other people the French language. I tell my parents in English the things I learned in the class: news, culture, politics. I make up my own stories in French. I look at pictures and think of things to say in French. I quiz myself randomly: I look out the window and think of French names for things. READING I read other French books. I like to read through the articles and news on www.tv5.org once in awhile. I read a French text to my parents and tell them in English what it says. WRITING Every once in a while I write a note in French to a friend taking French. I email and talk to my friend in France mostly in French.Back to Top
What can we do to help our son/daughter raise her/his grade?
What 9th graders in the 2nd year French classes have said when asked what their strategies for success are. In class LISTENING I pay attention fully, listening actively and hard (especially at the start of class). I listen to everything the teacher says and to the conversations he has with students. I repeat the new words over in my head as the teacher gives definitions and explains them. I try to think only in French. WATCHING I watch (stare at, glue my eyes to) the teacher, I make eye contact with him. I show him how it is going. I watch the screen for visual aids. I watch the mouth of the person(s) speaking during the videos. READING I read the texts and I underline the words I don�t understand in the texts. I study the texts (I �stare� at new words: recognize, remember, guess, skip). I follow along in the texts. I know where we are in the texts during class discussions. I take side notes on the texts and the worksheets in French. I write synonyms and I draw pictures or symbols so I can remember later. I write word definitions in English in a separate notebook. I read the texts quietly out loud to myself and work on pronunciation. UNDERSTANDING I make every effort to understand when the teacher speaks and the texts. I tell the teacher immediately when I don�t understand. (�Shout�, r�p�tez s.v.p., lentement s.v.p.). I ask for help. WORKING IN CLASS I get to class early and complete some of the assignments if not already done. I warm up in class as soon as the bell rings. I review whatever we did last time. I complete all tasks (underlining, Q/A M&J, short stories etc. BEFORE we discuss them in class). I answer as many questions as I can (in English �en anglais s.v.p.� or in French). I devote my time to the class when the bell rings. I study in class when there is time. I practice answering questions with a friend. ATTITUDE I don�t worry about knowing what every word means. I understand what is basically being said by the teacher or in the texts. I accept that I can get confused too and I remain positive. I participate. I repeat with intent when I am asked to do so by the teacher. I ask friends for help sometimes. I go over things I don�t understand with a friend. I focus. I try to soak in as much as possible. I use my French notebook (to warm up and to participate) and I make it pretty. I stay awake. I set a goal for myself to help me want to learn more I join along. I don�t speak about other things in English to my friends. I am HAPPY, I have fun, I sing along, and I peak French to my neighbors. I have an interest in the class. It�s not fair to the other students and the teacher if a student does not have an interest. At home MAINTAINING I read through my notebook out-loud. I stare at words. I maintain once or twice a week for 15 or 20 minutes reading past texts. [The teacher recommends 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week] I noticed that the French class goes much better when I review. I study 2 or 3 times a week for 5 to 10 minutes on whatever we are working on that week or what we did earlier during class that day so I can become familiar with the words. I make sure I memorize what I read and study before a test. I read and re- read and re-read the texts. I prepare post-it notes to give the teacher at the next class. I have tried to get on a schedule in which I work on French for 30 minutes twice a week. I try to remember the actions the teacher did in class to remember a word. STUDYING I complete the tasks the teacher assigns us (RHiCC) and I color my notebook. I look up a word I am not sure of on www.tv5.org or other places, such as a French dictionary. I write words and their short definitions in French several times on a piece of scratch paper to help me remember them. I look up the translation in English, if there are words that I still don�t understand after asking the teacher or looking them up in French. INTERNET I look up on the internet and listen to the songs we sing in class, also videos. I download French songs that I like to listen to. I watch every day the French news for kids on www.playbacpresse.fr/JTMQ/ SPEAKING I talk to my sister, about twice a week, about the things we are doing in class, what movies we are watching, what words we are learning etc� I talk in French to a friend (outside of class) or a relative who knows French. They explain words I don�t understand. I practice sentence structure and pronunciation with them. I have French conversations with them about what we learned in class. I read to my dog out of the materials I have in my notebook. I say a French sentence to my parents while making dinner and ask them what they think it means. I teach other people the French language. I tell my parents in English the things I learned in the class: news, culture, politics. I make up my own stories in French. I look at pictures and think of things to say in French. I quiz myself randomly: I look out the window and think of French names for things. READING I read other French books. I like to read through the articles and news on www.tv5.org once in awhile. I read a French text to my parents and tell them in English what it says. WRITING Every once in a while I write a note in French to a friend taking French. I email and talk to my friend in France mostly in French.Back to Top
What else can my daughter/son do to become more proficient?
What 9th graders in the 2nd year French classes have said when asked what their strategies for success are. In class LISTENING I pay attention fully, listening actively and hard (especially at the start of class). I listen to everything the teacher says and to the conversations he has with students. I repeat the new words over in my head as the teacher gives definitions and explains them. I try to think only in French. WATCHING I watch (stare at, glue my eyes to) the teacher, I make eye contact with him. I show him how it is going. I watch the screen for visual aids. I watch the mouth of the person(s) speaking during the videos. READING I read the texts and I underline the words I don�t understand in the texts. I study the texts (I �stare� at new words: recognize, remember, guess, skip). I follow along in the texts. I know where we are in the texts during class discussions. I take side notes on the texts and the worksheets in French. I write synonyms and I draw pictures or symbols so I can remember later. I write word definitions in English in a separate notebook. I read the texts quietly out loud to myself and work on pronunciation. UNDERSTANDING I make every effort to understand when the teacher speaks and the texts. I tell the teacher immediately when I don�t understand. (�Shout�, r�p�tez s.v.p., lentement s.v.p.). I ask for help. WORKING IN CLASS I get to class early and complete some of the assignments if not already done. I warm up in class as soon as the bell rings. I review whatever we did last time. I complete all tasks (underlining, Q/A M&J, short stories etc. BEFORE we discuss them in class). I answer as many questions as I can (in English �en anglais s.v.p.� or in French). I devote my time to the class when the bell rings. I study in class when there is time. I practice answering questions with a friend. ATTITUDE I don�t worry about knowing what every word means. I understand what is basically being said by the teacher or in the texts. I accept that I can get confused too and I remain positive. I participate. I repeat with intent when I am asked to do so by the teacher. I ask friends for help sometimes. I go over things I don�t understand with a friend. I focus. I try to soak in as much as possible. I use my French notebook (to warm up and to participate) and I make it pretty. I stay awake. I set a goal for myself to help me want to learn more I join along. I don�t speak about other things in English to my friends. I am HAPPY, I have fun, I sing along, and I peak French to my neighbors. I have an interest in the class. It�s not fair to the other students and the teacher if a student does not have an interest. At home MAINTAINING I read through my notebook out-loud. I stare at words. I maintain once or twice a week for 15 or 20 minutes reading past texts. [The teacher recommends 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week] I noticed that the French class goes much better when I review. I study 2 or 3 times a week for 5 to 10 minutes on whatever we are working on that week or what we did earlier during class that day so I can become familiar with the words. I make sure I memorize what I read and study before a test. I read and re- read and re-read the texts. I prepare post-it notes to give the teacher at the next class. I have tried to get on a schedule in which I work on French for 30 minutes twice a week. I try to remember the actions the teacher did in class to remember a word. STUDYING I complete the tasks the teacher assigns us (RHiCC) and I color my notebook. I look up a word I am not sure of on www.tv5.org or other places, such as a French dictionary. I write words and their short definitions in French several times on a piece of scratch paper to help me remember them. I look up the translation in English, if there are words that I still don�t understand after asking the teacher or looking them up in French. INTERNET I look up on the internet and listen to the songs we sing in class, also videos. I download French songs that I like to listen to. I watch every day the French news for kids on www.playbacpresse.fr/JTMQ/ SPEAKING I talk to my sister, about twice a week, about the things we are doing in class, what movies we are watching, what words we are learning etc� I talk in French to a friend (outside of class) or a relative who knows French. They explain words I don�t understand. I practice sentence structure and pronunciation with them. I have French conversations with them about what we learned in class. I read to my dog out of the materials I have in my notebook. I say a French sentence to my parents while making dinner and ask them what they think it means. I teach other people the French language. I tell my parents in English the things I learned in the class: news, culture, politics. I make up my own stories in French. I look at pictures and think of things to say in French. I quiz myself randomly: I look out the window and think of French names for things. READING I read other French books. I like to read through the articles and news on www.tv5.org once in awhile. I read a French text to my parents and tell them in English what it says. WRITING Every once in a while I write a note in French to a friend taking French. I email and talk to my friend in France mostly in French.Back to Top
How can my son/daughter have a better time in French?
What 9th graders in the 2nd year French classes have said when asked what their strategies for success are. In class LISTENING I pay attention fully, listening actively and hard (especially at the start of class). I listen to everything the teacher says and to the conversations he has with students. I repeat the new words over in my head as the teacher gives definitions and explains them. I try to think only in French. WATCHING I watch (stare at, glue my eyes to) the teacher, I make eye contact with him. I show him how it is going. I watch the screen for visual aids. I watch the mouth of the person(s) speaking during the videos. READING I read the texts and I underline the words I don�t understand in the texts. I study the texts (I �stare� at new words: recognize, remember, guess, skip). I follow along in the texts. I know where we are in the texts during class discussions. I take side notes on the texts and the worksheets in French. I write synonyms and I draw pictures or symbols so I can remember later. I write word definitions in English in a separate notebook. I read the texts quietly out loud to myself and work on pronunciation. UNDERSTANDING I make every effort to understand when the teacher speaks and the texts. I tell the teacher immediately when I don�t understand. (�Shout�, r�p�tez s.v.p., lentement s.v.p.). I ask for help. WORKING IN CLASS I get to class early and complete some of the assignments if not already done. I warm up in class as soon as the bell rings. I review whatever we did last time. I complete all tasks (underlining, Q/A M&J, short stories etc. BEFORE we discuss them in class). I answer as many questions as I can (in English �en anglais s.v.p.� or in French). I devote my time to the class when the bell rings. I study in class when there is time. I practice answering questions with a friend. ATTITUDE I don�t worry about knowing what every word means. I understand what is basically being said by the teacher or in the texts. I accept that I can get confused too and I remain positive. I participate. I repeat with intent when I am asked to do so by the teacher. I ask friends for help sometimes. I go over things I don�t understand with a friend. I focus. I try to soak in as much as possible. I use my French notebook (to warm up and to participate) and I make it pretty. I stay awake. I set a goal for myself to help me want to learn more I join along. I don�t speak about other things in English to my friends. I am HAPPY, I have fun, I sing along, and I peak French to my neighbors. I have an interest in the class. It�s not fair to the other students and the teacher if a student does not have an interest. At home MAINTAINING I read through my notebook out-loud. I stare at words. I maintain once or twice a week for 15 or 20 minutes reading past texts. [The teacher recommends 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week] I noticed that the French class goes much better when I review. I study 2 or 3 times a week for 5 to 10 minutes on whatever we are working on that week or what we did earlier during class that day so I can become familiar with the words. I make sure I memorize what I read and study before a test. I read and re- read and re-read the texts. I prepare post-it notes to give the teacher at the next class. I have tried to get on a schedule in which I work on French for 30 minutes twice a week. I try to remember the actions the teacher did in class to remember a word. STUDYING I complete the tasks the teacher assigns us (RHiCC) and I color my notebook. I look up a word I am not sure of on www.tv5.org or other places, such as a French dictionary. I write words and their short definitions in French several times on a piece of scratch paper to help me remember them. I look up the translation in English, if there are words that I still don�t understand after asking the teacher or looking them up in French. INTERNET I look up on the internet and listen to the songs we sing in class, also videos. I download French songs that I like to listen to. I watch every day the French news for kids on www.playbacpresse.fr/JTMQ/ SPEAKING I talk to my sister, about twice a week, about the things we are doing in class, what movies we are watching, what words we are learning etc� I talk in French to a friend (outside of class) or a relative who knows French. They explain words I don�t understand. I practice sentence structure and pronunciation with them. I have French conversations with them about what we learned in class. I read to my dog out of the materials I have in my notebook. I say a French sentence to my parents while making dinner and ask them what they think it means. I teach other people the French language. I tell my parents in English the things I learned in the class: news, culture, politics. I make up my own stories in French. I look at pictures and think of things to say in French. I quiz myself randomly: I look out the window and think of French names for things. READING I read other French books. I like to read through the articles and news on www.tv5.org once in awhile. I read a French text to my parents and tell them in English what it says. WRITING Every once in a while I write a note in French to a friend taking French. I email and talk to my friend in France mostly in French.Back to Top
How can my daughter/son earn extra credit? Will chocolate do?
What 9th graders in the 2nd year French classes have said when asked what their strategies for success are. In class LISTENING I pay attention fully, listening actively and hard (especially at the start of class). I listen to everything the teacher says and to the conversations he has with students. I repeat the new words over in my head as the teacher gives definitions and explains them. I try to think only in French. WATCHING I watch (stare at, glue my eyes to) the teacher, I make eye contact with him. I show him how it is going. I watch the screen for visual aids. I watch the mouth of the person(s) speaking during the videos. READING I read the texts and I underline the words I don�t understand in the texts. I study the texts (I �stare� at new words: recognize, remember, guess, skip). I follow along in the texts. I know where we are in the texts during class discussions. I take side notes on the texts and the worksheets in French. I write synonyms and I draw pictures or symbols so I can remember later. I write word definitions in English in a separate notebook. I read the texts quietly out loud to myself and work on pronunciation. UNDERSTANDING I make every effort to understand when the teacher speaks and the texts. I tell the teacher immediately when I don�t understand. (�Shout�, r�p�tez s.v.p., lentement s.v.p.). I ask for help. WORKING IN CLASS I get to class early and complete some of the assignments if not already done. I warm up in class as soon as the bell rings. I review whatever we did last time. I complete all tasks (underlining, Q/A M&J, short stories etc. BEFORE we discuss them in class). I answer as many questions as I can (in English �en anglais s.v.p.� or in French). I devote my time to the class when the bell rings. I study in class when there is time. I practice answering questions with a friend. ATTITUDE I don�t worry about knowing what every word means. I understand what is basically being said by the teacher or in the texts. I accept that I can get confused too and I remain positive. I participate. I repeat with intent when I am asked to do so by the teacher. I ask friends for help sometimes. I go over things I don�t understand with a friend. I focus. I try to soak in as much as possible. I use my French notebook (to warm up and to participate) and I make it pretty. I stay awake. I set a goal for myself to help me want to learn more I join along. I don�t speak about other things in English to my friends. I am HAPPY, I have fun, I sing along, and I peak French to my neighbors. I have an interest in the class. It�s not fair to the other students and the teacher if a student does not have an interest. At home MAINTAINING I read through my notebook out-loud. I stare at words. I maintain once or twice a week for 15 or 20 minutes reading past texts. [The teacher recommends 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week] I noticed that the French class goes much better when I review. I study 2 or 3 times a week for 5 to 10 minutes on whatever we are working on that week or what we did earlier during class that day so I can become familiar with the words. I make sure I memorize what I read and study before a test. I read and re- read and re-read the texts. I prepare post-it notes to give the teacher at the next class. I have tried to get on a schedule in which I work on French for 30 minutes twice a week. I try to remember the actions the teacher did in class to remember a word. STUDYING I complete the tasks the teacher assigns us (RHiCC) and I color my notebook. I look up a word I am not sure of on www.tv5.org or other places, such as a French dictionary. I write words and their short definitions in French several times on a piece of scratch paper to help me remember them. I look up the translation in English, if there are words that I still don�t understand after asking the teacher or looking them up in French. INTERNET I look up on the internet and listen to the songs we sing in class, also videos. I download French songs that I like to listen to. I watch every day the French news for kids on www.playbacpresse.fr/JTMQ/ SPEAKING I talk to my sister, about twice a week, about the things we are doing in class, what movies we are watching, what words we are learning etc� I talk in French to a friend (outside of class) or a relative who knows French. They explain words I don�t understand. I practice sentence structure and pronunciation with them. I have French conversations with them about what we learned in class. I read to my dog out of the materials I have in my notebook. I say a French sentence to my parents while making dinner and ask them what they think it means. I teach other people the French language. I tell my parents in English the things I learned in the class: news, culture, politics. I make up my own stories in French. I look at pictures and think of things to say in French. I quiz myself randomly: I look out the window and think of French names for things. READING I read other French books. I like to read through the articles and news on www.tv5.org once in awhile. I read a French text to my parents and tell them in English what it says. WRITING Every once in a while I write a note in French to a friend taking French. I email and talk to my friend in France mostly in French.Back to Top
How can my son/daughter increase their self-esteem in the French class
What 9th graders in the 2nd year French classes have said when asked what their strategies for success are. In class LISTENING I pay attention fully, listening actively and hard (especially at the start of class). I listen to everything the teacher says and to the conversations he has with students. I repeat the new words over in my head as the teacher gives definitions and explains them. I try to think only in French. WATCHING I watch (stare at, glue my eyes to) the teacher, I make eye contact with him. I show him how it is going. I watch the screen for visual aids. I watch the mouth of the person(s) speaking during the videos. READING I read the texts and I underline the words I don�t understand in the texts. I study the texts (I �stare� at new words: recognize, remember, guess, skip). I follow along in the texts. I know where we are in the texts during class discussions. I take side notes on the texts and the worksheets in French. I write synonyms and I draw pictures or symbols so I can remember later. I write word definitions in English in a separate notebook. I read the texts quietly out loud to myself and work on pronunciation. UNDERSTANDING I make every effort to understand when the teacher speaks and the texts. I tell the teacher immediately when I don�t understand. (�Shout�, r�p�tez s.v.p., lentement s.v.p.). I ask for help. WORKING IN CLASS I get to class early and complete some of the assignments if not already done. I warm up in class as soon as the bell rings. I review whatever we did last time. I complete all tasks (underlining, Q/A M&J, short stories etc. BEFORE we discuss them in class). I answer as many questions as I can (in English �en anglais s.v.p.� or in French). I devote my time to the class when the bell rings. I study in class when there is time. I practice answering questions with a friend. ATTITUDE I don�t worry about knowing what every word means. I understand what is basically being said by the teacher or in the texts. I accept that I can get confused too and I remain positive. I participate. I repeat with intent when I am asked to do so by the teacher. I ask friends for help sometimes. I go over things I don�t understand with a friend. I focus. I try to soak in as much as possible. I use my French notebook (to warm up and to participate) and I make it pretty. I stay awake. I set a goal for myself to help me want to learn more I join along. I don�t speak about other things in English to my friends. I am HAPPY, I have fun, I sing along, and I peak French to my neighbors. I have an interest in the class. It�s not fair to the other students and the teacher if a student does not have an interest. At home MAINTAINING I read through my notebook out-loud. I stare at words. I maintain once or twice a week for 15 or 20 minutes reading past texts. [The teacher recommends 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week] I noticed that the French class goes much better when I review. I study 2 or 3 times a week for 5 to 10 minutes on whatever we are working on that week or what we did earlier during class that day so I can become familiar with the words. I make sure I memorize what I read and study before a test. I read and re- read and re-read the texts. I prepare post-it notes to give the teacher at the next class. I have tried to get on a schedule in which I work on French for 30 minutes twice a week. I try to remember the actions the teacher did in class to remember a word. STUDYING I complete the tasks the teacher assigns us (RHiCC) and I color my notebook. I look up a word I am not sure of on www.tv5.org or other places, such as a French dictionary. I write words and their short definitions in French several times on a piece of scratch paper to help me remember them. I look up the translation in English, if there are words that I still don�t understand after asking the teacher or looking them up in French. INTERNET I look up on the internet and listen to the songs we sing in class, also videos. I download French songs that I like to listen to. I watch every day the French news for kids on www.playbacpresse.fr/JTMQ/ SPEAKING I talk to my sister, about twice a week, about the things we are doing in class, what movies we are watching, what words we are learning etc� I talk in French to a friend (outside of class) or a relative who knows French. They explain words I don�t understand. I practice sentence structure and pronunciation with them. I have French conversations with them about what we learned in class. I read to my dog out of the materials I have in my notebook. I say a French sentence to my parents while making dinner and ask them what they think it means. I teach other people the French language. I tell my parents in English the things I learned in the class: news, culture, politics. I make up my own stories in French. I look at pictures and think of things to say in French. I quiz myself randomly: I look out the window and think of French names for things. READING I read other French books. I like to read through the articles and news on www.tv5.org once in awhile. I read a French text to my parents and tell them in English what it says. WRITING Every once in a while I write a note in French to a friend taking French. I email and talk to my friend in France mostly in French.Back to Top