FRENCH CHAT BOOSTERS

Communication Handouts

Sue Fenton, M Ed

 

The "French Chat Boosters" communication handouts by Sue Fenton has been one of my BEST RESOURCES and I cannot live without it. I keep that book in my briefcase at all times."

Kay Romero, Colorado Springs, CO

 

PREMISE:  If we want students to speak, they need things to say!

 

              Students shouldn't have to wait for Chapter 8 to say they don't feel well or Chapter 13 all the way in the spring to say what movie they saw last weekend. They need a VARIETY of things they can say NOW. Raise the ceiling. Students are curious. Give them resources with lots of French to explore ... and to say.

 

DESCRIPTION:       Level 1 and Level 2

 

            This is a best-selling book of 60 thematic and thorough supplementary hand-outs for students bursting with tons of conversational French to put them on the "fast track" to speaking.  Many charts extend to two pages such as the chart with 150 adjectives or the one with 172 professions (masculine and feminine forms.)  Some charts cut across levels of French, illustrating sentence patterns of Level 2 and 3 grammar... but in a simple conversational way. These are helpful sneak previews.  Students don't need to have structures explained in order to use them.   

            There are no intimidating rules; just expressions, sentences with fill-in vocabulary choices, and grammar presented in a communicative way...to give students a whole lot more French to say.

 

       A BIG TEACHER TIME SAVER!

           These are the supplementary sheets you wish you had time to prepare but don't!  They give students more choices to use in class and on assignments. They promote more accuracy and less "dictionary diving" and fractured French. Hand out the charts freely for students to explore. Use segments of a chart at a time. Use the handy charts to create:

• paired conversation ideas  

• homework assignments

• lesson activities

            

     STUDENTS:

           The students keep the charts them in their notebooks all year and have fun exploring them and finding things to say.  They can use the charts:

•  to learn more French independently beyond the structured text.

• to find more things to say in class.

• to support them in paired conversations (when a resource is permitted as a crutch.)

• as resources for homework, writing, skits, and projects

 

 SAMPLES OF THE 60 CHARTS:

 

1. Introductory charts like:

• Do-it-yourself French
• French You Already Know
• 4-page "Mon Petit Guide d'espressions"  (300 expressions for all kinds of situations)
• 6 pages of converstional classroom French
• C'est + dozens of adjectives, quel - dozens of nouns

 

     2.  conversational vocabulary theme charts - 1 or 2 full pages like:

• movies
• shopping
• restaurant (2)
• home (2)
• supermarche
• illness

 

     3.  fun theme charts like:

• my stuff (locker, backpack, bedroom,) 
• Tu aimes? (100 activities,)
• 2 pages about being at a party
•  verlan & baby talk
• 70 course at the Centre D'animation, meeting people,
• 2-page chart to creating dishes with ingredients (la souple au__, le sandwich au __ , etc.)
• French i- The Language of Love

   

     4.  conversational grammar charts - sentences for various situations using:

• reflexive verbs
• D.O. and I.O. pronouns
• imparfait
• passe compose
• present tense
• quel, lequel
• interrogatives  (full page on "Ou" and "Quand," 2 pages of question patterns
• commands
• negative
• futur
• conditionnel
• school subjects and classroom speaking (Au Secours! sheet)

 

   5.  conversational verb chart like: 

• aller (2 pages of circumstances,) 
• etre
• venir
• faire (140 expressions)
• present tense (144 "Je" forms)
• irregular verbs (72 "Je forms")

 

 

                                                                             SOME OF THE 60 CHAT BOOSTERS:

• 150 adjectives
• 300 expressions organized by moods & situations
• 100 pastimes
• 172 professions
• 140 faire expressions
• C'est + 80 adjectives
• Quel exclamations
• A linguistic "life preserver" (when confused)
• 150 je present verb forms
• Words to answer Où?, Quand?,Qui? (page for each)
• Je future forms
• Do-It-Yourself French
• The home (addresses, furnishings)
• Born to Shop (clothes, electronics, etc.)
• Ordering in a restaurant
• 100 groceries
• The time machine (passé composé,)
• The theft of the boeuf bouguignon (past events)
• When I was 5 years old...
• "My Stuff" (locker, backpack, bedroom)
• Je t'invite
• Countries, nationalities (venir, using the adjectives)
• A party (meeting people; music)
• Over 100 places to go (aller, stores, events, provinces)
• Playing French chef
• 40-question interview
• 80 serious and silly excuses (chores)
• 4 pages of French for coping in class
• 2 pages of French for discussions
• French - the Language of Love
• Verlan, hip expressions, baby talk
• Selecting classes at the Centre d'Animation

                                               . . . and more!

 

© 2002 French Chat Boosters, Susan M. Fenton, Madame Fifi Publications