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Resource reviews are provided for teachers to support their teaching and learning programs.
The views expressed by reviewers are not necessarily those of the NSW Department of Education and Training. Copyright for reviews is held by the NSW Department of Education and Training. Permission for reproduction of reviews in part or full for any purpose must be sought in writing. For further information contact colleen.foley@det.nsw.edu.au
Sites are listed alphabetically by title. Those reviews which note links to other sites, especially as a major part of the site, will require additional exploration time by teachers to verify specific curriculum applications relevant to their classes. The USER LEVEL descriptor, Professional, is a pertinent reminder of such issues. Please note that changes happen daily on the Internet. Sites come and go. We cannot guarantee that the following sites are permanent or are structured as they were when they were reviewed.
About French culture
A treasure trove of French culture, this is the perfect
guide to the people of France, their traditions and heritage.
This outstanding site provides a comprehensive index to all
major subjects with an extensive network of internal links,
from art to weather. One may decide to enter the world of
French History and explore the events that shaped France; or
perhaps find a French school in search of pen pals. There is
a wonderful collection of cultural trivia, customs, and
French trends grouped in this easy to navigate site. It
proves to be an essential reference framework for students
and teachers. K. Le Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: French K-10; French Stage 6:
Beginners; Continuers; Extension
SCIS SUBJECTS: France – Social life
and customs
KEYWORDS: Culture; France; history
PUBLISHER: About.com Inc., USA
AUTHOR: Thomas P. DeLaine
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04
Alliance Francaise - French language school
and cultural centre
Established in 135 countries, the French Alliance is a huge
association offering a unique language service. The Sydney
centre assists people wishing to learn French and would help
students to be more at ease with the French world. The site
displays the courses the Alliance offers and keeps the user
abreast of the francophile events happening in Sydney such
as: exhibitions; conferences; cinema; and concerts. Links to
French media and online museums are also available and thus
reinforce the cultural aspect. These links would require time
to verify their curriculum relevance. K. Le Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
Professional
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: French K-10; French Stage 6:
Beginners; Continuers
SCIS SUBJECTS: French language
KEYWORDS: Alliance Francaise; French
PUBLISHER: Alliance Francaise, Sydney
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04 SCIS 1044296
BBC Education - talk French
Based on the English television series, BBC learning
zone, this well organised web site provides a full
language course for absolute beginners. Each topic is divided
into different sections: a short video sequence; an audio
player; and several entertaining activities. At the end of
each lesson an emphasis is put on Key words
and Key language. Explanations are clear and
given in English, with transcriptions in French. Free
guidelines for tutors are available online for those
who want to use this valuable resource in their class. As a
complement, a course book and cassettes are available. K. Le
Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
Professional
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: French K-10; French Stage 6:
Beginners
SCIS SUBJECTS: French language - Study and
teaching
KEYWORDS: French comprehension; speaking;
writing
PUBLISHER: BBC Education, UK
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04
BBC Education: the travel hour
A chance to explore the various regions of France, with
useful items on travel, culture, food and drink, and
essential survival language, is provided here. The site is in
English. It can enhance Beginners course students’
ability to reflect on their own culture through the study of
French culture, as specified in the French Beginners:
Stage 6 syllabus The site comprises five key cities and
nearby venues, in an approach that is more traveller than
tourist in style. Exploration time is required to verify
curriculum relevance. Similar sites, dedicated to Italy and
Spain, are also available. K. Le Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
Community Professional
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: French K-10; French Stage 6:
Beginners; Italian K-10; Italian Stage 6; Spanish
K-10; Spanish Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: France – Social life
and customs; French language
KEYWORDS: BBC Education; travel
PUBLISHER: BBC Education, UK
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04
Bof!
Part of a larger site, these pages cover a variety of useful
French teaching resources. This section contains exercises
relevant to the themes of The individual and The
world of work (within The changing world) of
the French Continuers: Stage 6 syllabus. The pages
also offer an array of topics suitable to the French
Beginners: Stage 6 syllabus. Users need to select
Everyday activities to access the wide range
of exercises available. Teachers may also find it useful to
print out exercises for class purposes. Easily accessible,
and usually explained in English, this excellent site is
worthwhile to visit for both teachers and students. K. Le
Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: French Stage 6:
Beginners; Continuers
SCIS SUBJECTS: France – Social
aspects; French language – Study and teaching
KEYWORDS: Exercises in French
PUBLISHER: Habergham High School,
Lancashire, England
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04
FranceKeys.com
Information on all aspects of France is available in English
on this attractive, well organised site.
Regions accesses the twenty two regions of
France, with explicit maps, and local information on cities,
the environment, and cultural trademarks. Listen and
speak French for free provides basic, but essential
language tuition. There are also many cultural and practical
pointers. Whether a teacher or student in French, or simply a
dedicated Francophile, this site has something for everyone.
A visit to this great site will turn into a rewarding
cultural adventure. K. Le Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Community
Professional
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: French k-10; French Stage 6:
Beginners; Continuers
SCIS SUBJECTS: France; French language
KEYWORDS: France; French; Paris; regions
PUBLISHER: World Travel Assistance, France
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04
Frenchlesson.org - an intermediate guide to
French
Designed for students with some knowledge of the French
language, this easily navigated site focuses on French
grammar. It covers most of the grammatical structures
prescribed in the Stage 5 and Stage 6 French syllabuses. In
addition to tutorials, there are many interactive exercises
to facilitate the difficult internalisation process that is
part of learning a language. This valuable site for French
practiceincludes Pronunciation and
gramattical exercises. K. Le Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: French K-10; French Stage 6:
Beginners; Continuers
SCIS SUBJECTS: French language –
Study and teaching
KEYWORDS: Conjugation; French; gender;
grammar
PUBLISHER: Thomas Blackmon
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04
Giverny - Vernon: in the heart of
Impressionism
Although aimed at providing tourist information for the
Giverny area of France, this site also has broad information
related to Claude Monet. Included are a location map and
history of the area with photographs. Local area history is
covered under Museums,
Castles, Mills and
Archeological sites. The
Gardens section covers various aspects of
local gardens with an emphasis on details of Monet's
garden. Included are: an aerial view; map; description of the
house; photographs of scenes, specific details; and seasonal
changes. A link to Claude Monet provides,
biographical details and exhibitions of his paintings. The
French version of the entire site is available, and offers
some excellent comprehension material within an authentic
cultural context for students of French in Years 7 to 12. In
particular, it could be useful for the Arts and
entertainment topic in the Stage 6 French
Continuers course. A. Whyte
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: CA; Languages
SYLLABUS: French K-10; French Stage 6:
Beginners; Continuers;Visual Arts Stage 6
SCIS SUBJECTS: Gardens, French; Giverny
(France); Impressionisn (Art); Monet, Claude; Painters,
French; Vernon (France)
KEY WORDS: Giverny; Impressionism; Monet
PUBLISHER: GiVerNet, France
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04
Languages - BBC - Make French your business
- Index
For those who need to communicate in French in a business
environment, this online resource covers six topics offering
audio and interactive practice, with immediate feedback. Each
topic provides a selection of audio clips, key phrases for
the topic, key vocabulary, and practice activities to test
comprehension. Greetings,
Introducing yourself, Telephone et
rendez-vous, and Getting around,
are directly related to topics in the French Beginners:
Stage 6 syllabus. Transcripts and translations are also
provided to support the audio files. This well constructed
web site also hosts handy Cultural notes
giving out essential information on French customs and
cultural trademarks. K. Le Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 6 Professional
KLA: Languages; VOC ED
SYLLABUS: French Stage 6:
Beginners
SCIS SUBJECTS: French language –
Study and teaching
KEYWORDS: Business; communication; French;
languages
PUBLISHER: BBC Education, UK
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04
Les Champs Elysees official city guide,
shopping guide and events calendar
Renowned as the most beautiful avenue in the world, the
Champs Elysees in Paris now offers an online site both in
French and English. It boasts a multitude of cultural, social
and historical information on Parisian life, with many
photographs and 360 views of all Champs
Elysees buildings. The History topic
provides basic information in French on the
Etymology and the creation of the avenue and
its surrounding monuments such as the L'arc De
Triomphe and La Place De
L'etoile. A Site map assists
navigation. If wanting to find out more about French customs,
a visit to the Links page may be handy,
although time would be required to verify the curriculum
relevance of these links. K. Le Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 5 Stage 6 Professional
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: French Stage 6:
Beginners; Continuers
SCIS SUBJECTS: Paris (France)
KEYWORDS: Champs Elysees; Paris
PUBLISHER: Champs Elysees Committee, France
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04 SCIS 1044314
Lonely Planet World Guide | Destination
France | Introduction
Practical material for travellers in English is provided at
this site. Included are When to go;
currency; domestic travel; and valuable information on the
cultural and social highlights, such as Cannes. Descriptions
of cities, towns and regions are found under
Attractions. Key topics such as
Culture, Environment, and
History will help students in their research
for projects on France. The information is print based and
accessed easily by a list of topics, but unfortunately there
are few graphics. K. Le Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage
6
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: French K-10; French Stage 6:
Beginners;
SCIS SUBJECTS: France
KEYWORDS: Culture; France; history
PUBLISHER: Lonely Planet, Australia
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04 SCIS 1037378
PARIS, virtual guide, monuments, museums,
shopping, airports, hotels, restaurants,
transportation
This sophisticated and gigantic resource page is the right
place to visit for comprehensive information about Paris. The
variety of topics to choose from is huge, but they are easy
to locate using drop down menus. Subjects deal with everyday
life; such as Caberets, Fashion, Fast Food
and Stores. The quantity and quality of
information is reinforced through the slide show and
panoramas. A French language version of the site is also
available. This website is a delight for all visitors. K. Le
Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
Professional
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: French K-10; French Stage 6:
Beginners; Continuers
SCIS SUBJECTS: Paris (France)
KEYWORDS: Paris
PUBLISHER: Smartweb, France
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04 SCIS 1044306
PlanetScapes
Animations, high quality graphics, statistical tables, and
astronaut interviews are some of the features of this large
and intriguing site. Very easy to navigate, it provides an
exciting look at all the planets and solar phenomena, and it
is geographically comprehensive on the
Earth, including the interior of the Earth
and various types of volcanoes. The site also includes a
section of puzzles but few are concerned with the solar
system. Computer generated art, cloud photographs from space,
and 3D planetary modeling, such as the first lunar landing,
will sustain student interest. Visually appealing and
entertaining, the site also contains enough complex detail to
be useful for the Space Science option in the Senior
Science syllabus. Of interest too, is the site’s
availability in five European languages, providing a real
context for language students. R. Dircks
USER LEVEL: Stage 4Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA: CA;Languages;Science
SYLLABUS: French Stage 6; German Stage 6;
Portuguese Stage 6; Spanish Stage 6;Science 7–10;
Senior Science Stage 6; Visual Arts 7–10
SCIS SUBJECTS: Earth sciences;Solar system
PUBLISHER: Calvin J. Hamilton, USA
REVIEW DATE: 09/06/04 [520] SCIS
1175127
Web-based activities
Throughout this well constructed website, students will find
a wealth of enjoyable activities in French and also some
valuable resources. With few exceptions, all activities are
led in French, limiting its use to senior students. The
possibility of logging directly onto French related sites
within a particular activity, for instance, visiting a French
restaurant whilst working on La gastronomie,
adds a new dimension and an entertaining way to learning the
language. General instruction offers a
complete grammar course with exercises and answers to help
complete activities. There are also several online
dictionaries including Dicovox, a vocal
dictionary. This is a valuable site for students in search
for extra activities in French. K. Le Bourdonnec
USER LEVEL: Stage 6
KLA: Languages
SYLLABUS: French Stage 6:
Beginners; Continuers
SCIS SUBJECTS: French language - Study and
teaching
KEYWORDS: Activities; dictionaries; grammar
PUBLISHER: Center for the Liberal Arts,
University of Virginia, USA
REVIEW DATE: 7/5/04