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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 Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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Alliance Francaise - French language school and cultural centre Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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BBC Education - talk French Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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BBC Education: the travel hour Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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Bof! Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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FranceKeys.com Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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Frenchlesson.org - an intermediate guide to French Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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Giverny - Vernon: in the heart of Impressionism Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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Languages - BBC - Make French your business - Index Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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Les Champs Elysees official city guide, shopping guide and events calendar Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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Lonely Planet World Guide | Destination France | Introduction Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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PARIS, virtual guide, monuments, museums, shopping, airports, hotels, restaurants, transportation Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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PlanetScapes Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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Web-based activities Selecting this link will take you to an external site.
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

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