French / Spanish

Things to watch or listen to

  • Try listening to French/ Spanish radio at home or in the car; TuneIn and RadioGarden are great websites with radio stations from around the world (see links above). You may not understand much at first, but it will help you get used to the sounds of the language and you will gradually recognise words!
  • Listen to French/ Spanish music on YouTube or using LyricsTraining (link above). This is a great website for practising listening skills.

Listen to a podcast using the Duolingo Podcast website (link above). This has sections in French/Spanish and English, as well as a transcript to help you follow the narrative.

Things to read

  • Speak to your teacher about borrowing a French or Spanish magazine from our ‘languages library’.
  • Find a French or Spanish book on Sora.

Read an article from an online French/ Spanish newspaper (see links above). 

Places to visit

Any French or Spanish speaking countries or holiday destinations.

Things to do

  • Practise useful vocabulary with a friend/ family member. At KS4, you can use the GCSE vocabulary book (£2) to revise key words. It is best to do this little and often, and to revisit different lists of words you studied a while ago. At KS3 you can use past spelling tests and notes in your book to help you revise.
  • Use Quizlet for further vocabulary practice. This is a great online tool to help you with your learning at home (see links above).
  • Use postit notes to label items around the house in French/ Spanish. At KS3 you may note single words e.g. ‘toothbrush’, whereas at KS4 you should use longer phrases e.g. ‘I brush my teeth’. This will allow you to practise little and often throughout the day, and the post-its can be changed for new ones and you master each set. 
  • Change your mobile phone language to French/ Spanish. You could also do this for other devices, e.g. xbox.
  • Download Duolingo and start a family competition. See who can earn the most points each week!
  • Try watching foreign films with English subtitles, or putting the French/ Spanish subtitles on when you watch an English film.

Use French/ Spanish while you are out and about e.g. saying phone numbers out loud, or translating shopping lists, signs and menus.