As French teachers, we know that learning a new language out loud can feel intimidating, especially for our Core French or French Immersion students. A strong foundation for French class is essential if we want our students to feel safe, supportive, and willing to take risks to speak French. One simple, but powerful routine you can introduce is community circles in French class. Circles are a great way to building a classroom community where every student has a voice.

What are Community Circles?

Circles are a structured routine where students and staff sit together in a circle and share and listen. This practice originates in Indigenous communities in North America where circles have long been used for relationship-building, decision-making, and healing. They are a practice now widely used in restorative practices and restorative justice in schools as an alternative to traditional, punitive discipline.

Circles for Restorative Practices

Circles can have many different purposes. For example, administrators and teachers can use circles to resolve conflicts.

It’s important to note here that facilitating circles for restorative justice requires training to avoid unintentionally causing harm. Another key point is that participation in this type of circle must always be consensual due to the sensitive nature.

Circles to Support Teaching & Learning

Beyond conflict resolution, French and French Immersion teachers can also use circles to support instruction. For example, circles can be really informative in Social Studies and History classes to reinforce critical thinking, perspective-taking, or even analyzing cause and consequence in relationship to a specific historical event.

In French class, a circle routine can help reinforce vocabulary and provide opportunities for oral communication in a safe and low-pressure way.

Circles to Build Classroom Community

Lastly, circles are a powerful way to build community in the classroom. They create space for students to share their thoughts, connect with one another, and develop trust. For French teachers, this is especially valuable as students are more likely to speak French and take risks when they feel a sense of belonging.

If you are familiar with my work, you will know that I am super passionate about routines in the French classroom. One of my favourite routines is Question du Jour. I think that Question du Jour and circles would work really well together since both routines give students the opportunity to share their voice, practice speaking French in a low-stakes way, and strengthen classroom community.

What grade levels are community circles ideal for?

Community circles can be used across grade levels, from elementary to high school Core French or French Immersion classes. Since I teach high school, this blog post will focus on how circles can support students from Grades 8-12. However, the routine can be easily adapted for younger students as well.

Watch the brief & informative chat with my amazing colleague Maryline to see how she implements community circles in her French Immersion classroom!

Maryline is a superstar! We have been neighbours for the last eight years. For several years now, I have noticed Maryline and her class doing circles at the back of her classroom. It has always intrigued me.

Today I am bringing in Maryline to tell you all about circles in her French Immersion classroom.

Helpful tools

If you’re looking for more support and guidance before you facilitate your first circle, here are some helpful tools.

• This is a phenomenal tool from CASEL that explains what circles are, their purpose, and even helps you plan your first one.
• This is a really helpful video on the origins of circles and how not to culturally appropriate unintentionally.

The post How to Use Community Circles in French Class to Build Community appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.

If you’re a Core French and/or French Immersion teacher looking to diversify how you teach la Francophonie in your classroom, I’ve got you covered! This blog post consists of dozens of ideas, activities, and resource recommendations to teach about Francophone countries in your French class.

Before we begin, let’s discuss some guiding principles.

When teaching about la Francophonie, we must:

• Explore why French speakers speak the language outside of mainland France. To understand this, we must delve into the concepts of power, identity, and the legacies of colonialism. Discuss that the status of French in these countries is constantly changing, and there are complex reasons for this.
• Center Francophone perspectives and voices where possible.
• Not romanticize. Explore complexities.
• Not just explore the good stuff like food and music. Ground your teaching in critical thinking. Teach about the tough topics like oppression, resilience, and activism.

Explore the Roots of la Francophonie

With my classes, I always begin with why there are places outside of mainland France that speak French.

I don’t sugarcoat.

If you’re looking for a fun way to introduce French-speaking places to your classes, this is a fun trivia game.

After the trivia game, your students will be ready to learn about the complex origins of la Francophonie.

If you’re on my email list, you can also download map activities (and more) from my Free French resource library.

French Music

French music is such a beautiful and diverse way to explore la Francophonie.

Here are some different ways you can do this:

• Try out a routine like Chanson de la semaine
  • Here’s a free resource to help you start this routine with your students
• Create an inspiring bulletin board with posters of French musicians
• Explore the historical and sociocultural origins and importance of musical genres from French-speaking places
  • Zouk – Martinique/Guadeloupe
  • Mbalax – Sénégal
  • Kompas – Haïti
  • Raï – Algérie
  • Chanson québécoise – Québec
• Study different French musicians in class
  • Use my free reading comprehension text to learn about Aya Nakamura
• Try Manie Musicale – Manie Musicale is a yearly event where French teachers organize a bracket-style contest. The teachers who organize Manie Musicale are very intentional about diversity. Tons of cultural learning moments also occur during this competition! There couldn’t be a better way to center la Francophonie in your classroom than with Manie Musicale!

Francophone Fact of the Week

Francophone Fact of the Week is a weekly French routine that combines intercultural awareness, reading, and responding to questions in French.

Integrating Francophone Fact of the Week into your routines ultimately supports this intention behind teaching and learning French.

Click here for the novice version.

Access the intermediate version.

Click here for the advanced version.

Watch a TV Show or Movie

TV shows and movies are a great way to understand values and social issues in other parts of the world.

TV5Unis.ca is a free tool that allows you to watch TV shows and movies in your class. The Canadian government sponsors this website to promote the French language.

They have an abundance of excellent TV shows and movies! The only downside is that there are no English subtitles.

Easy French YouTube Channel

Easy French is an excellent YouTube channel. It is one of my favourite listening tools in the Core French classroom.

Pros of Easy French:

• They create videos about a wide variety of cultural topics. You can find videos on various issues, including food, habits, travel, and slang. You can easily find videos on any topic you’re teaching.
• All videos have subtitles in French & English
• They’re so engaging!

Cons of Easy French:

• Given that they are based in Paris, most of their videos tend to focus on Paris and its culture.

Study a Specific Francophone Country or Region

Studying specific Francophone countries or places is such a great way to understand a place, its culture, and its people.

Here are some ideas:

• Teach about a unit on Sénégal
• Teach a unit on Vietnam
• Teach a unit on Morocco
• Teach a unit on Belgium

Podcast: French Duolingo Podcasts

Duolingo Podcasts are one of the best listening tools out there! These podcasts feature stories of resilience from all over the Francophone world. Most of the episodes are in intermediate French, and some I would consider advanced!

• Read this blog post to discover my favourite intermediate episodes.
• If you’re on my email list, you can download the handouts I’ve created, which serve as scaffolds for the podcast episodes. They can be found here. Please note that the password is exclusively available to those on my email list.

Discover Francophone Trailblazers

Learning about the contributions diverse Francophones have made to society is such a great way to learn about the Francophone world. These are the posters I’ve created. They come up with editable descriptions in English and French.

Access the posters here.

Map Talks

Map talks are one of my favourite activities for highlighting a specific country. I learned all about Map Talks from Benjamin Tinsley from Afro Franco. The first time I did a map talk with my class, I was blown away by how engaged my students were!

Ben co-authored this blog post on on the Comprehensible Classroom. Ben has tons of map scripts in his TPT. I highly recommend purchasing these map scripts as they are an accessible and no-prep way to try out this activity.

Watch these two examples of Map Talks:

• Ben Tinsley’s map talk on Mayotte
• Elodie Channa’s map talk on Lebanon

Explore Holidays & Celebrations in la Francophonie

Teaching about holidays and celebrations is very popular among French teachers for very good reasons. In my experience, French teachers are making a great effort to teach about the celebrations of their students in the classroom, alongside Francophone celebrations.

Here are some ideas and resources to start:

• Read picture books about Ramadan & Eid. Explore my favourites here.
• Learn about the celebrations of your students with this bundle
• Cécile Lainé also has a series of presentations co-authored with teachers from different backgrounds. These are accessible here.

French Slang + Where Verlan Originates From

Verlan is one particular type of French slang. It was created by French youth of religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. These children didn’t quite fit into French culture entirely (they were of a different racial and religious background) and they also did not fit into their parents’ cultures perfectly.

Therefore, they created a third space for themselves. This third space is Verlan. Verlan serves as a bridge between their parents’ culture and French culture. Therefore, Verlan is empowering for these youth.

Every Tuesday, my Grade 10s learn two slang expressions. Every week they look forward to learning “cool” French slang terms!

This is one of my favourite ways to incorporate la Francophonie into the classroom.

Read more about how I structure this routine here.

With my Grade 10s (third-year Core French), I do a whole unit on the origins of French slang.

My Core French students learn about les banlieues & the lives of French youth of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.

At the very end of this unit, they create a One-pager project on everything they have learnt during the unit.

I have a whole blog post dedicated to how I plan and teach this unit. You should go read it.

Stories & Texts on la Francophonie

Lastly, stories and texts are the best way to hear Francophone perspectives. The best part is that there are numerous resources available to help you accomplish this.

Here are resource recommendations:

• Read French picture books with Muslim, Black, or Asian representation.
• Listen to legends from Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, and France on TV5.
• Réseau-In-Terre Actif is a phenomenal resource. They create classroom resources on various social issues.
• Read a CI Novel in your class about a Senegalese graffiti artist named Zeinixx

The post How to Bring la Francophonie to Life in Your French Classroom appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.

A few months ago, I was scrolling on Facebook when I came across a question posed by a French teacher in a major French Facebook Teacher group. This teacher was seeking guidance on how to begin with anti-oppressive teaching, as well as examples of activities and assessments that are anti-oppressive, differentiated, culturally relevant, and identity-affirming.

Today, we’re going to discuss pedagogies, assessment, instructional tools, and system-wide changes to advocate for all that helps form a learning environment that is anti-oppressive, differentiated, culturally responsive, and identity-affirming.

Read my blog post from a few years ago about how your French teaching pedagogy may be reinforcing colonial hierarchies.

Who am I, and what authority do I have to speak on this topic?

Bonjour! My name is Pav and I am a French teacher of South Asian descent from Vancouver, Canada. For the past three years, I have served as the anti-racism lead at my school. Part of my responsibilities includes planning school-wide activities and events, advocating for changes with my school, and communicating with students, parents, and administration to ensure that we are constantly moving forward in the direction of progress.

Online, I have used my platform for the last five years to advocate for change in French pedagogies. I have tried to demonstrate to French teachers that teaching inclusively and anti-oppressively is not only very doable, but it is also non-negotiable and gratifying.

While I have worked very hard to advocate for change and progress, both in my career and online, I also want to acknowledge that I am not perfect. I am constantly trying to learn more, even unlearn, to be a better human being and teacher.

I am also completing a post-grad diploma on compassionate classrooms. This diploma has taught me a lot about SEL, trauma-informed teaching, restorative justice/restorative practices, and more.

I am also a big reader and specifically focus on reading diversely. Feel free to peruse my Goodreads for diverse book recommendations.

What are the ways students and teachers encounter systemic oppression in education?

Let’s begin with the understanding that the legacies of colonialism are alive and well within society and all institutions. For example, students and teachers encounter systemic racism in the school setting. What does systemic racism look like in the education setting?

Systemic Oppression and the Curriculum

An example of systemic oppression and the curriculum is a focus on Eurocentric perspectives & curriculum where marginalized students do not see themselves reflected in the content and instructional practices. In French class, teachers and/or the curriculum only focus on France or Quebec, erasing Francophone communities in Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia.

Discriminatory Discipline Practices

It is easy to turn a blind eye to discipline practices within the education setting. For example, Black, Indigenous, and racialized students can be disproportionately suspended or expelled in contrast to their white counterparts.

In Canada specifically, the school-to-prison pipeline for Indigenous boys is an example of this type of disproportionate representation.

Ableism in Assessment and Instruction

The following are examples of ableism in the school setting:

• One-size-fits-all instruction that does not differentiate
• Students lack voice and choice in assessment and learning practices
• Traditional grading systems that penalize students for mistakes or not learning the same way as neurotypical students disadvantage those who have dyslexia, ADHD, auditory processing disorders, or executive functioning challenges.
• Lack of accessible tools, equipment, or learning resources
• An emphasis on compliance and “good behaviour”

Other examples of systemic oppression

• Lower graduation rates for Indigenous students
• Higher rates of academic streaming for racialized and low-income students
• Lack of belonging, safety, and representation for LGBTQ2S students
• Poor mental health outcomes for marginalized students
• Inaccessible learning environments for neurodivergent and disabled students
• Students encountering racism, Islamophobia, transphobia, homophobia, and anti-Semitism at school
• Students are forced to suppress parts of their identity to feel safe or to fit in
• Teacher burnout from working in unjust systems

These are only a few examples!

Bottom line, oppression in the education system exists.

Why is anti-oppressive teaching a non-negotiable?

If we care about the well-being and success of our students, we will do everything in our power to foster an anti-oppressive learning environment for them.

In my mind, anti-oppressive teaching is divided into two fields:

a. changes I can make in my own classroom and within my teaching practices

b. changes I must advocate for at my school

Anti-oppressive teaching in the French classroom

Let’s explore the various ways to cultivate an anti-oppressive learning environment in the classroom.

Culturally Responsive Teaching

What is Culturally Responsive Teaching? CRT is an educational approach that acknowledges and celebrates students’ diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences and connects them to classroom learning.

In her book, Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain, Dr. Zaretta Hammond states that Culturally Responsive Teaching is essential if we want our marginalized students to succeed in rigorous learning. I highly recommend reading her book, as Dr. Hammond shares not only that it’s possible to implement CRP but also explains the benefits to student learning.

Trauma-Informed Teaching & Trauma-Sensitive Classrooms

As teachers, we must understand that our students are walking into our classrooms with past trauma. Trauma is going to change how our students learn. The BC Provincial Government defines TIP as:

Trauma-Informed Practice is a strengths-based framework grounded in an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma. It emphasises physical, psychological, and emotional safety for everyone, and creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment. 

Is your classroom a trauma-informed space? Is your teaching trauma-informed?

Trauma-sensitive classrooms:

• implement Culturally Responsive Teaching
• establish students’ physical and emotional safety
• cultivate relationships with students every single day
• focus on student strengths and never view students from a deficit perspective
• are culturally competent
• include voice and choice in activities, lessons, and assessments.
• never get into a power struggle with students
• teach/model healthy coping strategies.

This document is invaluable for understanding the various traumas students bring to school and for implementing trauma-informed practices.

Instruction & Assessment Flexibility

An anti-oppressive teacher understands that not all students learn the same way. There are so many factors that alter how we change. Anti-oppressive teachers are flexible and not stubborn. They are willing to explore different instructional approaches and assessments to see what works best for their students.

Inclusion of Diverse Voices & Perspectives

In a French classroom, there are numerous ways to incorporate diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences. Here are some quick examples!

• Explore French music & musicians. There’s so much diversity here!
  • Manie Musicale is an accessible way to get into this, and all of your planning is done for you
• Teach about Verlan & France’s banlieues.
  • Teach French slang expressions and their origins
• Learn about diverse celebrations in your novice French classes
  • Cécile Lainé has created (independently and in collaboration with others) these accessible, novice-friendly slideshows about diverse holidays
• Read French picture books
  • Explore my favourite picture books with Muslim representation, Black representation, and Asian representation.
• Begin to explore the Francophone world.
  • Discover Francophone cultures through a specific theme or topic, such as food, geography, clothing, or music.
• Acknowledge BHM, AHM, Pride, Orange Shirt Day, Indigenous Heritage Month, etc in your classroom
• Learn about First Peoples’ Principles of Learning and incorporate them into your teaching

Celebrating Students’ Identities

Hold space for and celebrate your students’ identities. We’re so lucky we teach French as there are so many ways to do this!

Last year, I organized a whole-school Culture Day. With the help of a $2,000 grant my students won, we were able to share diverse cultural foods with our entire student body.

During the event, a Filipino student came up to us, thrilled to see lumpia (Filipino spring rolls) on the menu. He told us he had never seen Filipino culture represented at school before. I cried when I heard this—tears of both joy and sadness.

How can you celebrate your students’ identities in your classroom and in your school?

Student (and Teacher) Accountability

One of the most important things you can do to be an anti-oppressive educator is to hold students accountable when they make discriminatory statements.

I’ve heard from my students time and time again that when someone says something racist to them and their teacher does nothing, it confirms to them that their teacher does not care.

Not holding students accountable is the number one way to alienate marginalized students because you are declaring in capital letters that you are NOT a safe teacher!

Holding students accountable also means:

• Communicating promptly with the Administration team when something unsafe and dangerous occurs. This includes a student saying a slur.
• Communicating with the parents of the victim to let them know what has occurred. This is crucial because these parents need to know how to guide their child, advocate for them, and even get them therapy to process what they experienced.
• Advocating for changes at the system-level if necessary

Avoid tone policing staff and students

If a staff member or a student comes to you and expresses that something you said or did was discriminatory, please do not tone-police them. This human being is telling you they experienced harm. Your first words should not be “well, I wish you didn’t tell me right now or right here” or “I wish you had used different words”.

Tone policing diverts attention from the harm caused to your own discomfort with accountability. Furthermore, you are reinforcing power dynamics by reinforcing your own authority and power in the relationship.

Instead, focus on repairing harm

Instead of tone policing, focus on acknowledging the harm that you unintentionally caused. Thank them for being vulnerable and communicating with you. Express your commitment to learning and doing better in the future.

Once you leave, commit yourself to learning more about why what you said or did was harmful. Read a book, find a YouTube video, or ask a question in an anti-oppression teaching group on Facebook.

Anti-oppressive teaching on a school-wide level and systems-wide level

Now, let’s discuss school-wide activities and events.

School-wide recognition of Black History Month, Pride, Asian Heritage Month, etc.

If you’re a Canadian teacher in 2025, your school should absolutely be organizing school-wide recognitions of these months.

This past year, my colleague and I co-organized a Black History Month panel (our third annual!) at our school. It was incredible. One of our panellists was Jamila Pomeroy, who is a film screenwriter, director, and producer. She’s amazing. One thing she said that continues to haunt me is that anti-Black racism since 2020 has gotten worse. As a teacher, I see and hear this from my Black students every single day.

School-wide celebrations are powerful because they make identities visible. Many of my marginalized students have shared that when these months go unacknowledged, they feel unseen.

There is a need to not only acknowledge these heritage months but also to celebrate joy within these communities.

Using Your Voice & Privilege to Advocate for Students

One of the most important things you can do as an anti-oppressive educator is to use your voice and privilege and advocate for your students when you see or hear of injustices.

We absolutely cannot pretend that discrimination does not exist anymore in our schools. It happens.

If you see that the system is not handling the situation well, which is causing trauma to students, please use your voice and privilege to advocate for the problem to improve!

Let me know what you think!

This is my summer reflection of what it means to be an anti-oppressive educator in 2025. If there’s something I have not discovered, I would love to hear from you! Please share with us in the comments below.

The post What Anti-Oppressive French Teaching Looks Like in 2025 appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.

Today, we will discuss gratitude activities in French class. While these French gratitude activities are perfect for French Thanksgiving or l’Action de Grâce, you do not need to wait for Thanksgiving to integrate the practice of gratitude in your teaching practice. The practice of expressing gratitude belongs in every season!

This is the fourth and final blog post in the Social-Emotional Learning series. Discover introductory SEL lessons here. Read about the importance of cultivating a growth mindset in French students here. Learn all about the importance of affirmations and positive self-talk here.

Why do we need to express gratitude?

Our minds are wired to focus on the negative. When we express gratitude, we are training our minds to recognize the good things in our lives, even during hard times. Expressing gratitude boosts our mood and strengthens our relationships.

It is also important to note that gratitude is a practice that needs to be taught and actively practiced. It’s not something we are born doing.

What I love about gratitude is that it forces us to slow down and focus on the good in our lives. Teens need this as well!

Why should we integrate French gratitude activities into our practice?

Out of all Social-Emotional Learning activities, gratitude activities are the easiest to do in French! They require very basic vocabulary and sentence structures. Even novice French students can easily participate!

When we intentionally engage in gratitude activities in French class, students practice emotional regulation and meaningful, real-life communication in French.

That is a win-win!

French Gratitude Activities Recommendation #1 – Outdoor Ed + 3 Good Things That Happened To Me This Week

The first gratitude activity combines going outside and expressing gratitude.

On Fridays, I bring my class outside for 5-10 minutes in every season. The snow and ice do not stop us!

When outside, we form a circle and I give students a minute or two to think about three good things that happened to them this week.

We go around and share the three good things. I am always the first to share so that I can set a positive example for my students.

I emphasize going outside in every season because where I live, we have four very distinct seasons.

There’s something beautiful about expressing gratitude and witnessing the natural world around you change.

French Gratitude Activities Recommendation #2 – Acts of Kindness

This next activity is a gratitude choice board for acts of kindness.

When doing acts of kindness in the classroom, it can be challenging for students to choose their act. This is where things can take quite a wild turn.

The choices here have been made for students!

French Gratitude Activities Recommendation #3 – Thank You Cards

At the end of every semester, I have my French 9 and 10 students make a thank-you card for a teacher. I don’t provide them with a template or outline. I give them paper and supplies and let them go wild. They pick any teacher, school, or custodial staff to say thank you to.

I do read every single card to ensure that my students haven’t said anything wild. They get SO creative with their cards. I had a student make a bird once!

I actually cried reading their cards last semester! They were so sweet.

French Gratitude Activities Recommendation #4 – Seasonal Activities

Without a doubt, I know teachers love their seasonal gratitude activities.

This one is such a fun, floral-themed craft!

I do love me a seasonal gratitude activity, just like any other French teacher!

If you’re interested, I’ve designed gratitude activities for various holidays and seasons, all of which are available in one comprehensive resource.

We’ve got:

• Winter, spring, and fall French gratitude crafts
• Gratitude crafts for Valentine’s Day & Christmas

Slow down and make time for gratitude in your classroom with these ready-to-go activities and crafts that foster gratitude.

Grab a copy of the English version here

Grab a copy of the French version here

The post French Gratitude Activities Ideas: SEL Meets Language Learning appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.

Let’s talk about the benefits of affirmations in French class. What are they, and why are they useful? At the end of this blog post, I will be sharing creative French affirmation activities that will help you build a strong classroom community.

This is the third blog post in the Social-Emotional Learning series. Discover introductory SEL lessons here. Read about the importance of cultivating a growth mindset in French students here. Discover the science behind gratitude and French gratitude activity ideas here.

Why are we talking about affirmations today?

In the fall of 2024, I took a class on Social-Emotional Learning. For an assignment, I was asked to create a stress-management strategy to use with my class.

I involved my Grade 10 students in the decision-making process. I wanted to understand what my Grade 10 students need from me, both physically and emotionally, when they are stressed.

When we feel stressed, the part of the brain responsible for detecting threats triggers the “fight, flight, or freeze” response. When the amygdala is activated, the thinking part of the brain (the prefrontal cortex) stops functioning. That means learning, reasoning, and language processing are harder — if not impossible — when we are stressed.

My students told me that when they are feeling extremely stressed at school, they want to be affirmed. They wanted to be reminded that they are strong, that the best is enough, and that they can do hard things. They also want to be reminded to take a deep breath!

Ultimately, this conversation sparked a great deal of reflection on affirmations and stress management.

What are affirmations?

First off, affirmations are short, powerful statements that we repeat to ourselves. Affirmations shape the way we feel and think. They are rooted in the idea that our thoughts have a profound influence on our actions.

Why are affirmations a vital part of Social-Emotional Learning?

Social-Emotional Learning encompasses the five competencies of:

• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness
• Responsible Decision-Making
• Relationship Skills

Good affirmations have students reflect on how they feel and why they feel that way (self-awareness). Coming up with an affirmation then helps students manage their emotions and practice resilience.

How do affirmations help French students feel more confident speaking French?

Affirmations help French language learners feel more confident speaking French because they shift the internal dialogue from one of self-doubt to one of possibility.

Ultimately, we want French language learners to replace negative self-talk with affirmations!

Also, when we speak about French affirmation activities for the French classroom, we’re not talking about those really cute, trendy affirmation mirrors. The ones that include feel-good, generic affirmations like “I am smart” and “I am kind.”

For affirmations to be effective, they must be personalized to the individual.

In other words, French students need affirmations that address the very real challenges they encounter in the French classroom.

This includes the fear of taking risks and speaking out loud, perfectionism, embarrassment from making mistakes, or frustration when they don’t immediately understand something.

French Affirmation Activities Option #1 – Daily Emotions Journal

Before we begin French affirmation activities, we need students to reflect on what emotions they’re feeling and why they’re feeling that way.

Children and teenagers are learning emotional intelligence, emotional regulation, and self-management.

It is so normal for children to feel emotions and to not know why they feel that way.

I like doing emotion journals with my students to expose them to a wide range of emotion adjectives, identify how they feel, and understand the reasons behind their feelings.

Ultimately, an activity like this helps students regulate their emotions. Students will take time to listen to their mind and body, understand why they feel that way, and hopefully even come up with an action plan if they’re not feeling great.

French Affirmation Activities Option #2 – Daily Affirmations Prompts

Next up, we’ve got daily affirmation prompts.

Affirmation journals help students build self-awareness by having them reflect on aspects of their life that they are proud of or appreciate.

French Affirmation Activities Option #3 – Classroom Bingo

This next French affirmations activity focuses on students recognizing and appreciating good qualities in their classroom.

French Affirmation Activities Option #4 – Class Compliments

Lastly, this activity has students write compliments for their classmates and practice expressing their appreciation for that specific quality.

Build classroom community and resilience in your classroom with impactful affirmation activities

Grab a copy of the English version here

Grab a copy of the French version here

The post How French Affirmation Activities Help Students Feel More Confident Speaking French appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.

Whether you’re a Core French or French Immersion teacher, you know that the biggest obstacle your French students face is their mindset. Many students decide on the very first day that they’re not going to be successful in French. Then, you have students who are confident that they can do it, and they usually do!

The mindset our French language learners walk in with does matter. However, this is where SEL comes in handy. Social Emotional Learning, or SEL, is a set of skills and tools that need to be explicitly taught to our students. They are essential for success in all aspects of life for our students.

This is the second blog post in the Social-Emotional Learning series. Discover introductory SEL lessons here. Learn all about the importance of affirmations and positive self-talk here. Discover the science behind gratitude and French gratitude activity ideas here.

What is a fixed mindset?

A fixed mindset is the belief that our abilities are fixed and unchangeable. Students think that if they are “good” at something, they will be successful in it. Students with a fixed mindset tend to shut down when they face difficulty or failure.

What is a growth mindset?

On the other hand, a growth mindset is the belief that we can achieve success through effort, practice, and learning from mistakes and failures.

Why do we need to intentionally cultivate a growth mindset in our students?

Students need to be able to recognize if and when they have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. They also need to understand the neuroscience of learning to truly adopt a growth mindset.

To put it simply, having a growth mindset is essential for learning.

How does teaching about a growth mindset in French class positively impact French learning?

Having a growth mindset can significantly impact how French students approach language learning. Learning a new language, such as French, can feel intimidating. We’re learning so much all at once, and we have to put it all together and take risks. We must understand that we will make mistakes, and that’s how we learn.

This is so daunting for many of our students!

When we intentionally teach our students the characteristics of a growth mindset, we are equipping them with the tools to achieve success.

Consequently, French students with a growth mindset are more willing to learn, take risks, make mistakes, and then learn from them. It’s because they understand that this is a part of the process!

French Growth Mindset Lesson #1 – All about Growth vs. Fixed Mindsets

In this first lesson, we’re going to have our French language learners:

• Reflect on their own mindsets
• Identify whether a specific characteristic is indicative of a growth mindset or a fixed mindset
• Learn about growth and fixed mindsets

As part of this first lesson, we’ve got an icebreaker that will have students moving, interacting, and identifying whether a specific statement highlights a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.

French Growth Mindset Lesson #2 – Famous Examples

The second lesson explores famous examples of individuals with a fixed or growth mindset. Students watch a video and identify whether the individual mentioned has a fixed or growth mindset.

Students will also learn about Thomas Edison’s invention of the light bulb and Edison needed to have a growth mindset to perfect the light bulb.

French Growth Mindset Lesson #3 – the Neuroscience of Learning

Thirdly, students will learn all about neuroplasticity and how the brain learns!

This is essential as students need to understand that success is not an accident. Success comes from repetition and practice.

Understanding neuroplasticity reinforces a growth mindset.

French Growth Mindset Lesson #4 – Overcoming Roadblocks

Lastly, students will explore common roadblocks in learning and life.

Students will end this lesson by brainstorming ways to overcome typical roadblocks in learning and life.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset in your students with ready-to-go lessons that are impactful, engaging, and designed specifically with teens in mind.

Grab a copy of the English Growth Mindset Lessons

Grab a copy of the French Growth Mindset Lessons

The post French Growth Mindset Lessons for the French Classroom appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.

Are you a Core French and/or French Immersion teacher wanting to integrate SEL in French class? Do you need impactful SEL lessons? Have you observed that your students tend to interact negatively with one another? Do your students have poor self-management skills, which are impacting their academic progress?

SEL, or Social-Emotional Learning, is a set of essential life skills that need to be explicitly taught to students. SEL skills empower our students to achieve success in their relationships, academics, overall well-being, and beyond.

In this blog post, we are going to delve into why and how French teachers should integrate SEL into French class.

This is the first blog post in the Social-Emotional Learning series. Discover introductory SEL lessons here. Read about the importance of cultivating a growth mindset in French students here. Learn all about the importance of affirmations and positive self-talk here. Discover the science behind gratitude and French gratitude activity ideas here.

What is SEL or Social-Emotional Learning?

SEL, or Social-Emotional Learning, is a set of tools and skills that human beings need to develop. They are not something we are born with. These skills and tools are essential for success in all aspects of life.

Casel defines SEL as:

“… the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.”

SEL encompasses five competencies:

• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Responsible Decision-Making
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Why should French teachers integrate SEL in French class?

Here’s why you should integrate Social-Emotional Learning in French class!

SEL helps French students take risks and participate in activities to their fullest extent

A primary factor preventing French language learners from achieving success is a lack of willingness to take risks. It’s incredibly intimidating to attempt to speak a language that’s new to you.

However, we absolutely need our students to take risks in the French classroom because that is the only way they can make progress.

French teachers who learned the language as a second or third language know that the fear of taking risks is a significant factor impeding proficiency. SEL activities and lessons help break down these barriers, allowing students to participate without fear.

SEL reduces conflicts in the classroom

Conflict is a normal and healthy part of human relationships. In the school setting, students are learning how to navigate relationships and conflict. They lack the skills to communicate and manage conflict in healthy ways.

The result is that teachers spend a lot of time putting out fires. We end up having to help our students navigate these conflicts and reach a resolution.

When you proactively teach healthy communication, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution, you are giving your students the ability to do these things independently (of you) and successfully.

Ultimately, this allows French teachers to spend more time actually teaching French and less time refereeing.

SEL encourages a growth mindset and perseverance

As French teachers, we see firsthand how students with a growth mindset progress very quickly in their proficiency level. On the other hand, it is also evident when our students have a fixed mindset, as it impacts their ability to progress.

SEL helps students manage stress and anxiety

Learning French can be stressful for our students. Novice French students can even be super anxious about participating in speaking activities.

Teaching your students to recognize how and why they feel stressed and anxious, and then providing them with strategies to manage stress and anxiety, is essential. It also helps your students see that you care about their overall well-being, not just their progress in French.

SEL and British Columbia Curriculum Connections

If you teach in British Columbia, SEL supports the Core Competencies, which are a required element of student learning, assessment, and self-reflection.

Personal Awareness & Responsibility

Skills SEL & Personal Awareness & Responsibility highlight:

• regulating emotions
• setting goals
• managing stress

Positive Personal & Cultural Identity

Skills SEL & Positive Personal & Cultural Identity highlight:

• self-awareness
• Positive affirmations and positive self-talk
• confidence building

Social Responsibility

Skills SEL & Social Responsibility highlight:

• empathy
• gratitude
• relationship-building

French SEL Lessons 101 – How to Actually Embed SEL in Your French Class

French SEL Lesson #1 – Explicitly teach your students what SEL actually is

Arm your students with the knowledge they need to be successful. Teach them exactly what SEL is, the 5 SEL competencies, and how and why SEL is beneficial to them.

There are so many ways to do this.

I wrote a straightforward, easy-to-understand article that explains all of this to students.

It also introduces the five SEL competencies without making it overwhelming.

French SEL Lesson #2 – Help your students understand how their brain actually learns

In August of 2024, I read Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain by Dr. Zaretta Hammond.

This book blew my mind because Dr. Hammond provided in-depth details about the neuroscience of learning.

When I finished the book, I asked myself how I had taught for seven years without actually understanding how the brain learns.

Arming your students with this knowledge will help cultivate a growth mindset, as they will understand that the brain learns through repetition, which creates a pathway in the brain as we improve in that skill over time. This is called neuroplasticity.

One fun, teen-friendly way to explore the neuroscience of learning is through a trivia game!

French SEL Lesson #3 – Teach your students specific strategies to help them with SEL areas they struggle with

Ultimately, the most important thing is that students leave these SEL lessons with strategies to help them navigate challenges.

It’s time to take charge of your classroom culture and give your students the tools they need to stay motivated, bounce back from failure, and believe in their ability to learn.

This ready-to-go introductory SEL resource encompasses four essential SEL lessons.

Grab a copy of the English SEL lessons

Grab a copy of the French SEL lessons

The post The Power of SEL in French Class: Tips for French Teachers appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.

So you’re a new Core French teacher! Maybe you’re a brand-new French teacher or perhaps you’ve recently transitioned to teaching Core French. In this blog post, I am sharing five things new Core French teachers need to know as they begin their journey in this awesome section of our profession.

New Core French Teachers Be Aware! French teachers have extreme opinions on how French should be taught

When it comes to teaching French, French teachers are divided about how to teach the Language.

Some French teachers believe that the only way to learn French is through French grammar instruction. Some French teachers teach French using pedagogies such as AIM, Comprehensible Input, TPRS, and the Action-Oriented Approach, among others.

There’s also me who believes that culture needs to be at the heart of every language learning experience and goal. Ultimately, my goal is for students to understand that languages are doors to cultures, identities, and lived experiences.

In my opinion, you should be able to decide for yourself what approach is best for you and your students. New Core French teachers should not be pressured or bullied into adopting a specific approach.

Early in your career, don’t be afraid to explore various approaches and try different activities. Test things out and decide for yourself.

Learn from Core French teachers who are good at their craft

My second piece of advice is to learn from experienced Core French teachers who are truly skilled in their craft. These are specifically French teachers who are super passionate about their approach, in a good way.

Here are some Super Star Core French teacher recommendations to take note of!

• Elodie Channa on Comprehensible Input Ontario & Mme Pois Chiche over on Instagram
• Mme Howell on Instagram
• Benjamin Tinsley from Afro Franco

Your pedagogy will evolve over time

It is entirely normal for your pedagogy to evolve. You will become better at what you do over the years through repetition.

One thing I frequently observe in my career is experienced Core French teachers who have been teaching in the same way throughout their entire careers. We’re talking about the same worksheets, lessons, and projects.

Even though I teach a semester without prep time, I constantly adjust my approach. Almost a decade into my career, I like to change things up and almost always the rest is 200 times better than what I was doing initially.

Be brave and don’t be afraid to try something new!

The best lessons are always the simplest ones (most of the time)

Some of my most engaging and successful lessons are straightforward lessons. They are interactive, promote speaking and listening in French, and they took me 10 minutes to plan.

I still occasionally plan complicated and time-consuming lessons, but this happens only once or twice a semester.

My favourite example of this is literally taking any video from Easy French YouTube channel and turning it into an interactive experience by asking my students questions about what they are hearing and seeing.

Bonus tip – Join your neighbourhood Facebook Buy Nothing Group to save money

When you’re a brand-new Core French teacher, there’s so much pressure to buy all the things. School supplies, classroom materials, and equipment for cultural experiences – you know it.

For example, one year my work was at its best, and I really wanted a class set of mugs so we could enjoy hot chocolate with our classes.

I had just joined my neighbourhood Buy Nothing Group and I had noticed that so many people were giving away free mugs! We now have multiple classroom sets thanks to the generosity of my neighbours.

Join your local Buy Nothing Group and don’t be afraid to ask your neighbours for things you need/want in your classroom!

The post 5 Things New Core French Teachers Need to Know appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.

It is no secret that I have to teach a whole semester without any prep time! Over the years of teaching without prep time, I’ve developed French Classroom Organization Hacks that are essential for my survival. No joke! Today I am sharing all of my best tips and tricks with you!

Are you looking for more French classroom inspo? Read my blog post on my best French classroom decor tips and tricks. Looking for French bulletin board ideas? Here are some bulletin board ideas to get you started.

French Classroom Organization Hack #1 – Get Your Students to Help You!

This is my BEST French classroom organization hack!

Organizing is one thing I don’t need to do personally. I often ask my teenage students for help. Sometimes, all it takes is the last 10 minutes of class and a few helpful hands. Ultimately, this can save me hours of work!

French Classroom Organization Hack #2 – Have an Absent / Extras Bin

Next up, have a designated area in your classroom to store handouts for any students who were absent and/or require an extra copy.

Make these accessible so that students can help themselves.

This also ensures that the learning continues when you’re not there that day.

I printed mine on neon pink paper and one of my students added a meme sticker to it!

French Classroom Organization Hack #3 – Have a Whiteboard Monthly Calendar for Students

I like to have a whiteboard in the back of the classroom with major school and classroom events.

This helps students become independent and seek the information they need to be successful.

French Classroom Organization Hack #4 – A Simple & Accessible System for Handout Storage

Lastly, these plastic containers from the dollar store are where I store my course handouts.

Each bin represents a different course I teach. Within the bin, I’ve also organized them in chronological order.

I go through these all the time, pulling out extras or throwing out activities I no longer do.

These are located right beside my desk, so they are super accessible.

In April 2025, I had a horrible month of colds and food poisoning, and I took at least 6 days off. If I needed to, I could have told my subs to retrieve a specific handout from a bin and copy it.

What are your best French classroom organization hacks?

Share with us, what is your favourite hack? What tip do you swear by?

Don’t be afraid to share with us in the comments below!

The post 4 French Classroom Organization Hacks to Start the Year Strong appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.

If you’re a Core French teacher looking to incorporate a brand new weekly routine, Francophone Fact of the Week is for you! Let’s explore why this French classroom routine is one of the best ones out there.

What is Francophone Fact of the Week?

Francophone Fact of the Week is a weekly French routine that combines intercultural awareness, reading, and responding to questions in French.

If you’ve been following me, you know that I love teaching Core French with a range of daily and weekly routines. It’s super effective for me and my students love it as well! To learn more about how and why I integrate diverse routines in my teaching, click here.

What are the benefits of incorporating Francophone Fact of the Week into your French routines?

Building Intercultural awareness into your routines

Early in my career, I made it a goal to be very intentional about teaching French through an anti-oppressive lens. I wanted my students to understand that the French are not the only ones who speak French!

Now that I am almost a decade into my career, I can target intercultural awareness in a million ways. However, having a routine that teaches about the diversity of the French world every single week at every level is still very useful!

If you’re like me, you sometimes struggle with how to do this in a novice-level French class. I have created facts for absolute beginners, so it’s a no-brainer to ensure that we hit this competency every week!

Teaching about diverse Francophone cultures through “fait francophone de la semaine” strengthens the understanding of “why we learn French.”

We don’t learn French to memorize grammar and vocabulary.

We learn French because it serves as our entry point to discovering the diverse cultures, identities, and lived experiences of French speakers.

Integrating Francophone Fact of the Week into your routines ultimately supports this intention behind teaching and learning French.

Novice Francophone Fact of the Week

These Novice Francophone Fact of the Week slides were created for beginners learning the French language.

My own students love these. I love seeing the spark of curiosity in their eyes and the confidence that they actually understand what the fact means!

They’re engaging, accessible, and eye-opening.

Intermediate Francophone Fact of the Week

Next up, the Intermediate Francophone Fact of the Week resource targets all of the same skills as the novice version.

They’re just a little more complex than the novice versions.

Advanced Francophone Fact of the Week

Lastly, the advanced Fait francophone de la semaine is my favourite!

There are so many unique, empowering, and resilience-demonstrating stories out there. It was such an honour to write about some of these stories for advanced French students!

Foster intercultural awareness and strong reading skills with the Fait francophone de la semaine routine for French class

Grab your copy now

Grab your copy now

Grab your copy now

The post Francophone Fact of the Week: The Must-Have Routine for Culturally-Rich French Lessons appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.