Web Links
Free teacher resources
11-14+
Linguanet is the most comprehensive European resource site for modern languages. Its multilingual resources centre supports
language teaching and training and provides an impressive amount of information and links on language matters, including a
section devoted to the use of the Internet in language teaching. Also includes many links to a huge variety of external websites
dedicated to teaching and learning materials and reference resources in the target language.
A site designed for teachers of French with some useful links and activities for French students at secondary level. Includes
regularly updated, free, downloadable resources, interactive sites for grammar and vocabulary practice and much more.
Very comprehensive site with links to language lessons, courses, and tools; GCSE vocabulary exercises; word games; ideas for
project work, and an exhaustive list of recommended French websites for further study. Also contains free online translator
and the option of joining the site’s mailing list.
This site is intended to assist both teachers and students of French by making available a range of online resources that
complement many of the popular published courses and GCSE examinations - including OUP's 'Équipe' course at GCSE. The resources
linked to from these pages are not intended to replace any of the course components but to offer reinforcement and extension
tasks that learners can use autonomously. Many have been produced by teachers for their own students and are available for
free.
Interactive activities for French teachers and learners.
Zut! provides interactive activities for French teachers and learners from Years 7 to 12, featuring more than 500 exercises
and including audio samples of native French speakers. It also offers exercises for the interactive whiteboard.
The Association for Language Learning (ALL) is the major subject association for those involved in teaching all foreign languages
at all levels. An invaluable first-stop portal for all teachers of MFL.
The website of the only dedicated television channel for teachers, which operated until April 2011. The 3,500 programmes are
still available for teachers to use for free. MFL teachers can access many video clips of real MFL lessons – from attracting
lower ability pupils to languages to using rap within a French lesson.
French TV programmes on BBC2.
14-16+
Billed as a 10,000 link global-gate supersite, this incredibly comprehensive website is the place to find information and
resources about France, the French, Francophone countries, societies, literature, learning the language and more. The site
has links to a huge number of further websites - many which link to yet more sites, creating an enormous reference database.
The links are divided up into easily-navigable sections that allow the user to find information without difficulty. Note that
many of the links are in French, with no translation, which puts the site into the KS4+ category. Teachers of French looking
for ideas will find this site an impressive resource.
A very useful website from a Canadian professor providing resources and web links for teachers and students of French as a
second language. There are links to free downloadable software, and the other links have been well chosen to provide either
free resources or information that can be used to supplement lessons. A helpful website, if a little confusing to navigate.
Paid-for teacher resources
A comprehensive subscription site aimed at UK secondary schools and beyond. Supported by Manchester Metropolitan University,
this constantly developing site is full of games, audio examples, in-depth searchable notes, and hundreds of web links to
sites of further interest.
The Chalkface project is a well-known publishing brand in secondary schools whose mission is to make the best teaching ideas
available to every teacher in the most practical way. Chalkface produces detailed lesson plans (available in electronic and
paper format) complemented by photocopy-master worksheets across the secondary curriculum. There are free downloadable samples
available too.
Linguatique has been established to promote the teaching and learning of languages by introducing a range of interactive resources
that can be used independently by young people in play. Primarily a site selling language games that could be used in a number
of ways in language lessons.
Teach languages with Talking Dice. An innovative site claiming to make language teaching (especially in mixed-ability classes)
easier and more fun. Talking Dice were the brainchild of language teacher Emily Daly, who created them as a novel way of teaching
her students German & French. Using just pictures, they are suitable for any language.
Revision sites
11-14+
Test your students' knowledge in all four skills using these interactive activities with audio files. Includes hundreds of
revision exercises designed for Year 7 and upwards.
BBC’s GCSE Bitesize revision site including practice exercises in all four skills plus an exam skills section, mock exam and
revision checklist. Look out for the two 120-minute long revision programmes on 2 May!
Not a revision site as such, but useful for those needing intensive revision from scratch. Helpful sections on vocabulary
(holidays, food, festivals, health, fashion and more) and grammar plus sound files, interviews, video clips and transcripts.
A definitive site for learning about French Language and culture. Students can use the "French Experience" online courses
to improve their language skills or familiarize themselves with French news, society and even street slang.
Although not MFL-specific, this site is a study portal offering revision-based live chat, daily chatrooms, interactive quizzes,
and study tips/advice pieces.
A useful starting point for students needing to revise French grammar. Grammar points are simply explained in short units.
Business French websites
14-16
The official Euro website gives essential background information regarding the European Union's official currency in all EU
languages. The English section contains a good selection of activities and games for children.
16-19
The official website for the European Central Bank supplying all the data required for business in the European Union.
This site provides an overview of the French economy with interesting data (in French and English) on population, employment,
the minimum wage, education, industry, tourism, etc. plus a useful section entitled ‘France in facts and figures.’
A government site for individuals, businesses and local communities. Includes an extensive search facility and daily news
updates.
A comprehensive listing of French dictionaries in the areas of business, economics, and finance.
The media
TV
The website of the television channel France2. Contains a wealth of information on sport, culture, video, etc. together with
links to channels 3, 4 and 5.
Beautifully presented Arts channel including in-depth information about programmes plus other art, music, history and society
news.
France’s premier terrestrial television channel, the country’s most watched news bulletin. Website includes an enormous range
of sections: sports, games, video, shopping, a children’s section and more.
A French premium-pay television channel launched in 1984. Canal+ Le Bouquet is the brand name used for all the Canal+-branded channels in France. Four additional channels have been available since
2006:Canal+ Cinéma, Canal+ Décalé, Canal+ Sport, and Canal+ Hi-Tech.
14-16+
French Parliamentary Network featuring two channels: Public Senat and LCP-AN, providing 18 hours of programming twice-weekly
with news, politics, and magazines. The service is available to audiences via satellite, cable and the internet.
NEWSPAPERS/MAGAZINES
The website of the French sports magazine, L'Équipe. There is heavy emphasis on football, tennis, rugby, golf, basketball, motor and motor-cycle racing, and cycling. Other sports
are catered for under 'Et aussi'.
Paris Match aims to provide its readers with the best in photojournalism. Breaking news headlines are on constant display and visitors
are invited to send their scoops direct to the publishers.
The website of the French business magazine, L'Expansion, which is presented in a very lively fashion. Visitors are offered the opportunity to read up on a variety of business activities,
plus economic and financial matters. There is a guide to French property prices and a clickable list of the most viewed articles
on the site.
The website of the French communist newspaper L'Humanité. Visitors can sign petitions, subscribe to newsletters, participate in forums on the issues of the day, and link direct to
the French Communist Party.
The website of the national conservative newspaper, Le Figaro, based in Paris. The visitor to the website is faced with a huge choice of articles. Among the notable sections are politics,
finance, literature, music, culture and Art de vivre. A searchable archive is also available.
The website of the Paris-based national, liberal newspaper, Le Monde. One of Europe's most respected newspapers, Le Monde's site offers a wide variety of news stories, a free newsletter, and
a searchable archive.
Internet site of western France’s newspaper Ouest-france.
RADIO
Listen to France's main radio station online.
Popular French hip-hop radio station with chat, radio, music, and more.
A radio station containing everything from book reviews, politics and music to an online astrology show!
Radio, news, music, plus an impressive section on the French language.
MISCELLANEOUS
A FP is the world's oldest established news agency, founded in 1835. Today, the agency continues to expand its operations
worldwide, reaching thousands of subscribers via radio, television, and newspapers from its main headquarters in Paris and
regional centres in Washington, Hong Kong, Nicosia and Montevideo.
Visitors are offered a large number of national and international news stories, and can subscribe to the AFP newsletter.
Work
A classified jobs site.
Very comprehensive jobs site with facility to download CVs and search for jobs nationally.
Another very good jobs site.
Culture and tourism
This website concentrates largely on travel arrangements, and contains articles focusing on the different regions of France.
Its main use for teachers can be found in its 'France Directory' which provides links to a variety of web pages about French
Society and Culture - including the media, regions, government, weather, industry, and history. The clear layout and colourful
use of images make for excellent lessons using an interactive whiteboard, and its explanations are also suitable for independent
learning.
This website, run by the French Foreign Ministry, offers a wide range of information about the history, geography and institutions
of France. English, Spanish, and German versions of the website are also available.
The Alliance Française is a publicly funded organization whose aims are to encourage the study and appreciation of the French
language, and French culture, abroad. The website provides a thorough overview of the organization's activities, including
details of the courses on offer and the qualifications that students can work towards.
A comprehensive site providing information about French cultural events in the UK.
The official site of the Cannes Film Festival. English version of the site also available.
An encyclopedic site for film buffs everywhere. Reviews, cinema clubs, debates, films on DVD, archives and more.
An extensive site about the city of Avignon with information on its history, culture, monuments and museums together with
details of excursions, tours, maps and more.
The official website of the French Government Tourist Office.
The French Tourist Office’s site containing a good deal of information.
The official site of the Office du Tourisme de Paris.
Recognised as a family-friendly site by the Family Friendly Sites Directory, and with an award for its educational content,
this busy but impressive site attempts to provide an overview of France's many charms, including its history and language,
as well as its limitless cultural venues and sightseeing attractions. Includes hundreds of links to other informative websites,
plus a mailing list.
Museums and science
The Réunion des musées nationaux (RMN) was founded in 1895 to raise and administer the funds required for the acquisition
of works of art by national collections. Today, the RMN works with 34 public institutions around France and also organizes
around 20 exhibitions per year.
The art gifts online shop. Simply click on an exhibition name to discover the vast product selection from the selected exhibition.
Run by the RMN.
Paris’ largest and most famous museum. The attractive site is user-friendly and has links to a young people’s section with
educational resources, virtual tours, an in-depth history of the collection, and full details of all current and past exhibitions.
Huge adventure park near Poitiers in western France offering a plethora of attractions. Packed with thrills, images in giant-screen
format, extraordinary encounters, mind-blowing shows, role-playing, and more, Futuroscope offers attractions that involve
children and adults in the action as they escape into new worlds of fun and live in the future today. Plenty of information
for schoolteachers taking pupils abroad too.
Situated in northeast Paris, this huge arena houses many exhibitions and shows. It’s a bit like Disneyland, but for curious
minds! Some of the exhibitions are permanent, but there’s lots of information on the website about the day-to-day spectacles
too. The EXPLORA area includes The Universe, The Planet, The Living World, Communication, and Industry. There’s also a huge
cinema, the Géode, which resembles a silver ball and has a screen measuring 1000m2.
The Centre national de la recherche scientifique is a government-funded research organization, under the administrative authority
of France's Ministry of Research. As the largest fundamental research organization in Europe, CNRS is involved in all scientific
fields. Its annual budget represents one quarter of French public spending on civilian research.
The National Museum of Natural History has been making its mark for over four centuries. A huge repository of fascinating
facts and discoveries with everything from fungi, moths and jellyfish to meteorites, scientific instruments, and architecture!
Plus conferences, guided tours, films, debates and a daily calendar featuring what’s on.
Sport
Official website of the Tour de France.
Lots of links to lots of sports in France, including rock climbing, horse racing and sailing.
The Francophone world
The aim of the website of the Académie française is to monitor, encourage, and protect the French language. It makes an annual
award, the Grand Prix de la Francophonie, to the person or institution which best promotes these aims. The Académie makes
recommendations on new terminology and usage in French. Visitors to the website can view the current academicians (up to 40),
or immortels, and find out how they are elected, and more about their functions and responsibilities.
The Institut de linguistique française (ILF) is a centre for research into contemporary and historical French language and
usage. Its principle aims are to provide resources for the French language, and to provide support for research projects in
French linguistics.
Libraries, dictionaries, and archives
This is France's national library and the repository of many thousands of important works for research into French language
and culture. The website provides extensive information about the activities of the Bibliothèque nationale and includes virtual
exhibitions. Educational dossiers on aspects of the library's collections are also available.
The website of the famous Dictionnaire de l'Académie française (first edition 1694), which aims to be the ultimate authority
on all matters relating to the French language. Visitors to the site can review the evolution of two sample entries from 1694
to the latest edition.
This website contains many and varied documents of enormous value to researchers into French history and culture. As well
as giving information about the organization and scope of the archives, the website provides virtual exhibitions and visits
to historic places, such as the walled city of Carcasonne.
Oxford’s partner dictionary site. Comprehensive, well laid-out, and easy to search.
Travel and public transport
Site in English, French, and Dutch with all the necessary travel information required for travel via Eurostar. With the latest
deals, destination guides and news bulletins.
France’s national airline site with links to companion sites in other languages.
Société national de chemins de fers français is the national railway of France.
The Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) is the major transport authority responsible for public transport in Paris
and surrounding areas. Its operational divisions include the Paris metro system, part of the RER, an extensive bus system,
and three tram lines. A good site with easy online booking.
Government, administration, and practical information
French Yellow Pages.
Website of the French postal system with Post Office promotions and advertisement links.
Website of the French Embassy in the UK. An informative site with sections for French children and teenagers coming to live
in the UK, and numerous links to articles on everything from Economy and Finance, and Science and Technology, to the French
Elections and Francophony.
The official gateway to the French Civil Service, this site has practical guides classified by theme, a civil service directory,
and a public websites directory. Use the many links to access law texts and official reports, public reports, and job offers
in the civil service.
Containing topics on everything from Agriculture, Foreign Policy, and Security, to Defence, Immigration, and the smoking ban,
this comprehensive site even allows the user to email the French Prime Minister! There’s an online public forum and an interesting
link (with photos) to the entire team of the office of the Prime Minister. A very useful site for A Level students.
Well laid-out site, with English, Spanish, and Italian versions too. Includes the entire text of the French Constitution,
detailed information about the organization and its main players, its history and heritage.
Books and music
Website of the huge book and music shop in Paris. Online ordering operates in the same way as Amazon’s site.
World French
General
A list of French speaking countries of the world. According to this page there are 29 countries in the world where French
is the official language. There are a further 20 nations where French is also spoken to varying degrees.
Exhaustive list of poets writing in the French language.
EUROPE - Belgium
Thousands of world newspapers at your fingertips. This is the link to all the Belgian ones online.
The Brussels-based newspaper, Le Soir, is the biggest French language daily in Belgium. As well as news stories it offers visitors a searchable archive, the opportunity
to vote on issues of the day, and a newsletter.
Belgian comic book publisher.
EUROPE - Switzerland
Useful information about life in Switzerland.
Le Temps is one of the major dailies of French-speaking Switzerland. Despite its very Swiss orientation, it is balanced by some fine
in-depth international reporting. Plenty of information too on Swiss finance and industry.
Canada and the United States
This is the website of the archives of Quebec. It contains diverse documents of enormous value to researchers into the history
and culture of Quebec.
A free French dictionary and resources site based in Quebec, Canada. The cultural portal is for the Quebec region only but
there’s lots of useful information.
A list of prolific writers from Quebec with many more related links to sites of interest.
Montréal's famous landmark, Notre-Dame Basilica, is a visually pleasing if slightly gaudy building of carved wood, paintings,
gilded sculptures and stained glass windows. The basilica made headlines in 2000 when Jimmy Carter and Fidel Castro shared
pall-bearing honours at the state funeral of former Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau.
A fabulous site in French and English with special attractions for teachers and students, plus a webcam with live footage
of penguins in their sub-Antarctic habitat. There are also many links to other natural history sites.
Both of France's Caribbean outposts, Martinique and Guadeloupe, use the euro and fly the French flag. However, in recent years
there has been a shift towards greater internal autonomy and separatist groups continue to grow.
The website of Haiti’s embassy in the US with information on government, business, tourism, and more.
Africa
A US site from the Federal Research Division Library of Congress. This page (and there are many others like it) presents a
thorough picture of the historical, geographical, political, and economic background to the Cote d’Ivoire. Well worth browsing
through for information about other French-speaking countries in Africa too.
Lonely Planet has a guide to every country in the world. This one’s Senegal, and there’s much to be learned from the article.
For other French-speaking African countries simply add the name of the country to the end of the URL.
See Wikipedia for articles on Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, e.g. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mauritius.
Asia
From the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this article looks at France's historic links with Asia.
South America
Read all about the history and culture of French Guiana.
Other
The main tourism webpage for the island of Vanuatu, in Melanesia, a region of the South Pacific ocean. Billed on the site
as 'the land time forgot and you'll never forget', Vanuatu offers visitors a number of extraordinary natural sites, including
active volcanoes, secluded islands, turquoise lagoons, stunning bays, coral reefs, beautiful flora and fauna, lush tropical
forests, and a unique traditional culture. French is one of three official languages spoken here, although three quarters
of the population speak up to 100 local languages!
Search engines
Website with lively information on many aspects of French life.
Slightly less serious than Yahoo, but nevertheless a good way to pick up French slang and up-to-date vocabulary.
Website aimed at the youth market with online translation, relationships information, and a chatroom.
Miscellaneous
All you ever wanted to know about proverbs - in French! Includes popular proverbs from all over the world, proverbs relating
to the seasons, and much more.
Channel 4's online magazine for students of French. Also available in Spanish And German.
An independent, humanitarian, international medical aid organization with news, links to country sites, and in-depth features.
The United Nations Children’s Fund. An encyclopedic site with UNICEF special reports, press releases, multimedia features,
and much more. Suitable for KS4 and above the site is also available in English and Spanish.
The Restaurants du Cœur (more commonly known as the Restos du Cœur; ‘Restaurants of the Heart’) is a French charitable organization, the main activity
of which is to distribute food packages and hot meals to the needy. It was founded by the comedian Coluche in 1985, consists
of more than 100 departmental organizations, and has expanded to Belgium and Germany too.
The official Tintin website.
The official Astérix site in five languages.
