Le jeu de l'oie is an ingenious, motivating site for the practice of French grammar in a game-based format. Novices, beginners, and intermediate learners of French can review and fine-tune their mastery of grammar on an independent basis. Additionally, teachers can use the game as a group activity whereby learners 'discover' the rule of grammar through induction. The format is a board game, the object of which is to get the goose along a path and to home. For each multiple choice grammar question answered correctly, the goose moves the number of spaces indicated on the dice. For every incorrect answer (feedback for which is very good), the goose moves back the number of spaces indicated on the dice. In addition to grammar practice at three proficiency levels, each level has a vocabulary exercise that introduces/reinforces vocabulary associated with a real person.
Type of Material:
Game
Recommended Uses:
Individual or group work
Technical Requirements:
Runs well on Explorer or Opera, Netscape has errors in graphics Needs Java 2 plug-in version 1.3
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Grammar and vocabulary practice
Target Student Population:
Novice, beginning, and intermediate
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Some basic instruction in French is necessary for the beginning level. First semester French students will be able to use the site in a matter of weeks.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
What would otherwise be fairly uninteresting content,simple French grammar drills, is rendered captivating by the format of this site. An electronic board game motivates learners to answer grammar-based, multiple choice questions correctly to move the goose towards her home. The multiple choice questions are grouped in such a way that learners can easily deduce the focal rule(s). All instruction is done in the target language, making this module accessible to learners of French around the world.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The range of grammar points makes this a versatile site that can be used to introduce, reinforce, and/or review key rules and regularities of the language. As homework, the attractive game format is motivational and certainly encourages time on task. As a group activity, both the grammar rules and the rules of the game can inspire lively conversation in the target language.
While Jeu de l'oie is effective for users of any age, it is particularly suitable for the young. There are few drill modules available on the web that appeal as well to young learners. Even though it is easy to find simple multiple
choice and cloze exercises at other sites, their textbook-like exercises do not always engage the young learner.The competitive aspect of this game encourages the user to persist. Questions are recycled throughout the game to reinforce concepts.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Very clear instructions in the target language. These are accompanied by visual illustrations of the instructions so that even low-proficiency students will comprehend.
The layout of the boardgame and the task involved in manipulating the goose is elegant in its simplicity. The author has invited other educators to make their own jeu de l'oie games which are included on the site. He is to be commended for
his efforts to build a community of developers of effective online materials for French instruction. The external links on the site refer to other modules authored by Thierry Perrot,
including POLAR FLE and Lexiquefle,which have both peer reviewed in MERLOT.
Creative Commons:
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