Buzz is a favorite filler activity in my foreign language classes.  When I have a few minutes to spare at the end of a lesson, I take the opportunity to practice counting with this classic game.  It’s an oldie but a goodie!  Learners as young as 7 enjoy the challenge of Buzz.  Want to know how to play?  Here’s an excerpt from our newest Foreign Language House publication, Middle School Madness:  Cooking Up Foreign Language Fun and Games:

Ingredients:

• One soft ball (squishy or Koosh)

Serving Size: The whole class

Time:  5-10 minutes

Method:

The whole class stands.

1. Toss the ball to the first player and say the number “one.”
2. This player will continue counting with “two” and toss the ball to the next person.
3. Tossing and counting continue around the room.
4. Whenever there is a multiple of 5 (or whatever multiple you choose at the start of the game) the player must say “Buzz” instead of the number.
5. Players must sit if they say an incorrect number, do not know the answer, forget to say Buzz, or drop the ball.
6. All players left standing at the end of the game are winners!
7. For an added challenge, you may continue with higher numbers, or begin counting backwards.

For over 50 more fun language learning activities, order Middle School Madness as an instant digital download or paperback.

For more counting ideas, check out my article on Foreign Language Number Games.

Help learners to survive and thrive in an immersion classroom environment with useful questions and statements in French or Spanish.

Immersion is the most effective way to learn a foreign language, but it can feel scary at first.  Classroom beginners might worry: “What do I do if I’m confused as the teacher rambles on in a foreign language? What page was the homework? And what if I need to go to the bathroom?”

Language learners can feel confident and empowered in their new language by mastering a few key survival expressions during the first week or two of class.  My Back-to-School routine always begins with a solid mini-unit on classroom communication.  During this time, I allow my students to “practice” being in an immersion setting, alternating between chunks of the target language and English.  After investing this initial time, we can “get the party started” and use the target language exclusively for the remainder of the school year.

Here are my essentials:

Basic French Expressions and Manners, such as Yes, No, Please, and Thank You.

Interrogatve Expressions. Even if students are not quite ready to conquer question formation, they can memorize the “who-what-where-when-how-why” expressions in order to clarify understanding.

Negotiation of Meaning. This skill is extremely important as learners try to make sense of a new language.  Students need expressions such as:  Slow down, Repeat please, I don’t understand, and How do you write that?

Asking Permission is crucial in most school settings, and your students will never be more motivated to speak!

Borrowing. Instead of becoming upset, I decided to make forgetfulness a teachable moment.  Learners need to be equipped to ask for items in the target language.  When I noticed that my students said the phrase “I forgot” on almost a daily basis, I simply taught them how to say it in French.

Foreign Language House has just published French and Spanish downloads of Classroom Survival Expressions that are perfect for the start of the school year.  You’ll find games, activities, worksheets, and printable handouts:

French Classroom Expressions

Spanish Classroom Expressions

BRAND NEW FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2010:

French Top Ten Classroom Survival Expressions POWER POINT

Spanish Top Ten Classroom Survival Expressions POWER POINT

Portions of this post were originally written by me here at Suite101.com

Image Credit:  http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1195995

I’m always on the lookout for free teaching stuff.  One great resource for teachers and homeschoolers is TeachersPayTeachers.   Many downloads and used teaching materials are reasonably priced, and several others are absolutely FREE!  Awhile back, I highlighted some of the free Spanish PowerPoint presentations.  Today, let’s check out the French:

A Review of Colors in French

French Cognates

Okay, not the huge selection as with the Spanish.  Hmm . . . maybe I’ll get to work on a few freebies myself.   In my spare time!  lol

So, on to another one of my favorite resources.  Found a lot of great stuff from my colleagues on the other side of the pond at West Sussex  in Chichester, England.  Thank you, thank you, a hundred times thank you for access to these amazing PowerPoints (which are just the tip of the iceberg, btw):

Traditional Mali Fable

Jack and the Beanstalk

And I’ll close with this treasure trove of French PowerPoints from the Northumberland Grid for Learning, also in the UK.  Well, I’m not sure if they’re exactly PowerPoints.   Even better–they are online, interactive stories with eye-catching visuals and corresponding audio.  The quality is absolutely amazing!  You’ll find The Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Little Red Riding Hood, French fables, and lots more!  Merci Northumberland

Image source:  http://www.sxc.hu/photo/740086

The kids are out of school and the summertime fun can officially begin.  Learn some useful French and Spanish words for outdoor play:

the pool – la piscine (Fr.) – la piscina (Sp.)

the beach – la plage (Fr.) -la playa (Sp.)

the swings - les balançoires  (Fr.) - los columpios (Sp.)

the bicycle – la bicyclette (Fr.) –  la bicicleta (Sp.)

Play with these words and lots more with the Foreign Language House Summer Fun Flash Cards in French and Spanish, available from TeachersPayTeachers.com.  You’ll get eight printable picture cards and corresponding word cards with five game suggestions.  Have fun playing with language this summer!

Photo Credit: by Houng ngui at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/221198

We’ve been busy at Foreign Language House this year. Although we never set out to create teacher downloads, to date we have prepared nearly 150 French, Spanish, and ESL activities, flash cards, games, worksheets and teacher guides. We’ll continue to create several new downloads each month for sale through Lulu.com or TeachersPayTeachers.com.  

Got us to thinking . . . wouldn’t it be great to also make ALL of our downloads available on one site that could be accessed by subscribers internationally?  One reasonable annual fee would gain you access to every foreign language download we’ve made or will make.  Most of our materials are for novice-level learners, from pre-k through secondary.  Perfect for teachers and homeschoolers.  If you like our stuff, it should save you a lot of money.  We’d love your input—does this sound like a service you’d be interested in?   Please take our survey (at NO obligation since the site doesn’t even exist yet!)  You can even put in your two cents about what fee would be reasonable.  All comments and ideas are welcome!

Click Here to take survey

Merci & Gracias

Foreign Language House

Father’s Day is next week.  Get the kids busy wishing Papá a wonderful day in Spanish.  Here are some useful expressions for a heartfelt, homemade card:

Feliz Día del Padre - Happy Father’s Day
para - to
de/ desde - from
Mi Querido- my dear . . ..
padre - Father
Papá - Dad
Abuelo - Grandfather
Abuelito - Grandpa
Tío - Uncle
Te quiero - I love you.    
Pienso en ti - I’m thinking of you.
Te extraño - I miss you.
Eres especial- You are special.

If you’re looking for some famous Spanish quotes about fathers, check out the newest download from Foreign Language House:  Spanish Father’s Day Card

Photo Credit: by Leon Tiedt at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1053161

This Mother’s Day, let Mom know she’s the best in the world!  Learn how to say Mother in these twelve world languages:

Moeder, Moer (Dutch)
Mère, Maman (French)
Mutter (German)
Màna (Greek)
Ma, Maji (Hindi)
Anya (Hungarian)
Madre, Mamma (Italian)
Okaasan, Haha (Japanese)
Matka, Mama (Polish)
Mat’ (Russian)
Madre, Mamá (Spanish)
Mati (Ukranian)

Please post to keep the list growing!  Consider using these phrases to create a unique “Best Mom in the World” craft, card, or keepsake.  Visit this article for ideas:

Read more: “International Mother’s Day Gifts: Crafts for the Best Mom in the World”

Want to make a French or Spanish Mother’s Day card?  Homemade is best!  Check out these downloads for vocabulary lists, French and Spanish quotes, and card templates:

French Mother’s Day Card

Spanish Mother’s Day Card

Happy Mother’s Day!

 
Image Credit:  by Adrian Yee at  http://www.sxc.hu/photo/698517

Amazing deal on an effective tool for language classes. Only $59.99: Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 30-Minutes (White)

. . . it’s the day all my French students whine, “How come WE can’t have a fiesta?”  Ah oui, they forget about all those crepes and fixate on the delicious smells wafting in from the Spanish class next door.  Every year I must explain that WE can’t have a fiesta, because WE (the French) lost a battle on le 5 mai.  But inside, I’m wishing I were at the fiesta, too.  I mean, who doesn’t love this fun and patriotic Mexican party?

Spanish and French students alike must be reminded that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day, but rather the commemoration of the Battle of Puebla.  It’s a time of great national Mexican pride and unity. My amiga, Catherine, can explain it much better than I.  Go check out this link at speakspanisheveryday.com

Catherine has also created some wonderful and affordable downloads for teaching Spanish learners about Cinco de Mayo:

Cinco de Mayo for Beginners and Young Learners:  Even beginning Spanish students and young learners need to learn that 5 de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day! They learn that it celebrates the Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in basic Spanish. Included: map of Mexico, basic geography, novice level reading about the Battle of Puebla, current websites of activities, and teaching tips. English translation included.

Cinco de Mayo for Young Children:  For Cinco de Mayo those little ones (prek-2) will pick up colors, a map of Mexico, a Mexican flag coloring activity, and a brief Spanish description of what Cinco de Mayo honors: the Battle of Puebla. Bilingual vocabulary lists and English translations included.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Image Source: photo71 at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/948568

Amazing deal on an effective tool for language classes. Only $59.99: Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 30-Minutes (White)

If there’s one thing that makes Mommy’s heart melt, it’s a homemade treasure presented on Mother’s Day.  Help your French and Spanish students create a unique bilingual greeting card for Mom, Grandma, a favorite aunt, or a special friend.  The latest downloads from Foreign Language House each include a detailed handout of Mother’s Day greetings, sayings, and quotes in French or Spanish.   You’ll also find an assortment of printable card templates for students to color and decorate.

French Mother’s Day Card

Spanish Mother’s Day Card

French learners can choose to celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May as we do in the U.S., or on the last Sunday in May as the French do.

As a teacher, I try my best to be sensitive to the diverse family situations of my students.  I offer an array of suggestions for honoring any special Mom-figure.  And high school teachers, don’t feel that your students are too old for the crayons and markers.  The quotes are appropriate for secondary learners, and believe me—you’ll never see more appreciative recipients of a homemade card than those courageous women raising teenagers!

Happy Mother’s Day

Image Source:  by Bianca de Blok at http://www.sxc.hu/photo/500925

Amazing deal on an effective tool for language classes. Only $59.99: Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 30-Minutes (White)

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Teach about the planet Earth on April 22, Earth Day.  Foreign Language House is happy to offer free coloring sheets for young learners.

Free French Earth Day Coloring Sheet

Free Spanish Earth Day Coloring Sheet

Here are some useful vocabulary words for teaching about the Earth in English-French-Spanish:

Earth – la Terre – la Tierra

globe – le globe – el globo

planet – la planète – el planeta

land – la terre – la tierra

water – l’eau – el agua

sky – le ciel – el cielo

blue – bleu – azul

green – vert – verde

brown – brun/marron - café

Earth Day – le Jour de la Terre - el Día de la Tierra

I cannot imagine teaching without my inflatable globe ball.  It’s perfect for rolling, tossing, identifying land, water, continents, countries, cities, and more.  If you know of some great globe games, I’d love to hear from you!

Catherine at Speakspanisheveryday.com has some great Spanish Earth Day posts here and here.  And for more Earth Day materials, check out these downloads:

FRENCH:

French Songs and Chants for Earth Day

French Earth Day Vocabulary Matching Worksheet (secondary level)

French Earth Day/Environment Signs

SPANISH:

Spanish Songs and Chants for Earth Day

Spanish Earth Day Vocabulary Matching (secondary level)

Spanish Environmental Earth Day Signs

Happy Earth Day!