Participation Culturelle
FRENCH CULTURAL PARTICIPATION
One of the benefits of acquiring a new language is learning about the people who speak it. When you use your French in real situations, it comes alive. Cultural assignments require you to use French and experience the Francophone culture outside of the classroom. There are several categories listed below. You must choose one activity from each category.
1er CATÉGORIE: QUI EST CETTE PERSONNE FRANCOPHONE?
Write a brief (one page) research report in English on one of the following:
a) a famous French historical figure
b) a French musician/singer/band
c) a French artist
d) a French writer
e) a French political figure
f) a French hero
g) a French business person (perfume, clothes, cosmetics)
h) a French sport player
i) a French actor/actress
j) other: fashion model, chef, etc.
2e CATÉGORIE : SOYONS CRÉATIFS *can be done in groups
a) *Learn to play a French song on a musical instrument and play it for the class or tape yourself playing it.
b) Draw a map of Europe in French. Make sure you include all countries that make up the entire continent of Europe.
c) Draw a map of the World in French. (Go on-line to get the names of the countries in French)
d) Reproduce (sketch/draw/paint) artwork by a famous French artist. (Make sure to include the artist’s name and the name of the artwork)
e) *Find, copy, and prepare a French recipe for your family. Take pictures of you cooking and of the recipe you cooked, bring the dish to the class, or bring a short clip of the cooking process.
f) *Make a model of a famous French monument.
g) Write lyrics in French to go with a song or tune.
h) Read a French poem and draw an illustration that represents the poem.
i) Sew a native French or Francophone vest, other article of clothing, mask, accessories, mardi gras.
j) Create a French CD with 5 songs. Make a cover for the CD and include the lyrics.
k) *Create a 5 minute movie in French.
l) Create a bedtime story/children’s book in French with illustrations. (10 pages)
m) Make 2 one minute commercials in French.
n) Create a board game that the class can use to practice French grammar and vocabulary.
o) Sketch, draw, create the city of Paris.
p) Create a bande dessinée.
q) Create visual cards/images of vocabulary from a unit.
r) Create 3 advertisements for a French product.
s) Create a French menu
3e CATÉGORIE: ALLONS-Y!
a) Attend a concert or performance of French music. Turn in the program.
b) Go to a video rental store and rent and view a film in French (get one with English subtitles), and write a summary of the film. (Include the actors names and the name of the video rental store)
c) Go to the movies and view a film that takes place in France or is about French culture or history and write a summary of the film. (Include a ticket stub)
d) Visit a tourist office or travel agency and ask for information on a French-speaking country.
e) Photograph businesses that have French words in their names and turn in the photos.
f) Visit any large tourist attraction (Disneyland, Magic Mountains, Knott’s Berry Farm, Sea World) and ask for a brochure or information in French.
g) Visit a French restaurant and try ordering a meal in French. Ask if you could have one of their menus (tell them it’s for a French class project). Write a short summary of your experience (include the name of the restaurant) and tell what French dishes you had.
h) Attend a French play, a play written by a French person or about French culture. Write a summary of the play and attach a ticket stub or program to the summary.
i) Visit a French cultural event (art exhibition). Write a summary of the event and attach proof that you attended the event (ticket stub, program, etc.)
j) Visit France or a Francophone country and make a scrapbook.
k) Visit the international section of a music store and list several Francophone artists’ names, albums, and popular songs.
l) Visit the international section of a book store or library and list Francophone authors and their works.
m) Go to a church where mass is given in French.
4e CATÉGORIE: C'EST À MOI
a) Participate on a soccer team for a season. Have your coach write and sign a note stating that you were on the team and what position you played.
b) Exchange letters with a native French speaker. Turn in a letter from your pen pal as proof.
c) Watch a TV show in French and list in a journal the name of the show, date viewed, time viewed and channel. Also tell a little bit about the program.
d) Watch the news in French and write a short summary in English about it.
e) Watch 10 music videos in French and write a short critique for each video. Include singers’ name and title of songs.
f) Follow the news for several days or weeks about a French-speaking country and report on it.
g) Write a short report on the different periods of French architecture. Please cite your source.
h) Tape a conversation between yourself and a native or fluent speaker of French.
i) Write a report on a sport (NOT soccer), food/dish, holiday, product or custom that is typically French.
a) Participate on a soccer team for a season. Have your coach write and sign a note stating that you were on the team and what position you played.
b) Exchange letters with a native French speaker. Turn in a letter from your pen pal as proof.
c) Watch a TV show in French and list in a journal the name of the show, date viewed, time viewed and channel. Also tell a little bit about the program.
d) Watch the news in French and write a short summary in English about it.
e) Watch 10 music videos in French and write a short critique for each video. Include singers’ name and title of songs.
f) Follow the news for several days or weeks about a French-speaking country and report on it.
g) Write a short report on the different periods of French architecture. Please cite your source.
h) Tape a conversation between yourself and a native or fluent speaker of French.
i) Write a report on a sport (NOT soccer), food/dish, holiday, product or custom that is typically French.
5e CATÉGORIE: LISONS!
a) Memorize a French song and sing it or lip sync it or tape yourself signing it.
b) Read a French newspaper article, photocopy it and circle 20 or more cognates and 15 words you know. Don’t forget to cite your source.
c) Read a French newspaper or magazine article, photocopy it and write a summary about it. Don’t forget to cite your source!
d) Read a children’s book in French and write a summary of it. Don’t forget to cite your source!
e) Memorize a French poem and recite it (taped is OK). Length of poem depends on class level. Show poem to teacher first. Be sure to have a copy of the poem with the author’s name.
f) Read an English translation of a French novel and write a summary of it. Don’t forget to cite your source! (see letter d) This activity can earn you extra credit.
g) Read a French comic in English and write a summary of it. Don’t forget to cite your source.
