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| Reviewed: |
Apr 13, 2006 by World Languages Editorial Board |
| Overview: |
The site provides streaming videos in French about various aspects of
Francophone cultures, countries, and populations. Over one hundred hours of
video has already been shot on five continents by France 3, CFI, RFO and another
thirty Francophone stations. Hosted since 1982 by Dominique Gallet and Mona
Makki, the major objective is to highlight the cultures of all the Francophone
peoples represented.
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| Learning Goals: |
The learning goals are listening comprehension in French and increasing one's
cultural knowledge about Francophone countries and cultures.
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| Target Student Population: |
The target population are native speakers and intermediate and advanced learners
of French.
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| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
The viewer would need to have intermediate or advanced listening comprehension
skills in French to fully understand the videos.
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| Type of Material: |
There are 150-200 streaming videos about Francophonie that are each
approximately 22-35 minutes in length.
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| Recommended Uses: |
Learners and viewers would watch the videos and use them as a point of departure
for further discussion and/or listening comprehension practice in the target
language. The materials can also supplement units on the authors and artists
featured in the videos.
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| Technical Requirements: |
A broadband Internet connection and Real Player are required.
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| Strengths: |
The strength of the site is that viewers and learners can find in these videos a
wealth of Francophone-related topics and can listen to various dialects of
spoken French. The videos are expertly produced and are organized by theme for
easy access. The music and cinematography are especially excellent. The
multisensory aspect of the materials with its crisp audio and video animates the
subject matter for students, making it engaging and real-world. Videos are
categorized by themes- Ecrans Francophones contains film excerpts and interviews
with directors including Raoul Peck of "Lumumba" fame and Quebecois and
Vietnamese filmmakers. The "Ecrivains francophones" section has exciting
interviews with Martiniquais authors such as Rafael Confiant and Joseph Zobel.
There is a wealth of interviews from Francophone authors worldwide.
Other topics include music in Chanter dans la Francophonie, Tranches de ville,
Gens de la francophonie, Francophonie sur scènes et Francophonie en créations.
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| Concerns: |
Viewers must have a broadband connection in order to view the videos. In a
rural area, many learners only have broadband access on campus, not at
home when they might have more time to access and view the videos. One of my
French students recommended using the videos as in-class activities.
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
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| Strengths: |
The strength is that the videos are professionally produced and are culturally
and linguistically authentic. Experiencing the different dialects makes
learning to listen and speak French more real to learners.
Students can be given a list of comprehension questions and discussion themes
based on the video clips. These exercises are perfect for MERLOT learning
assignments. The videos are a perfect complement to the study of commonly taught
Francophone authors. For example,
Joseph Zobel the author of Rue Cases-Nègre is
interviewed on the site. The online interview is perfect for expansion
exercises in classrooms where the novel or its film adaptation by Euzhan Palcy
is used. One cannot deny the power of seeing Francophone singers from Europe to
North Africa and even Vietnam interpreting the music of Jacques Brel, only later
to see an interview with Brel himself. It is very powerful video.
The Tranches de ville section is full of day to day imagery coupled with lively
conversation.It is the authenticity of these clips that brings la Francophonie
alive for the user. There is nothing like seeing and experiencing the diverse
world in which French is spoken outside the pages of a book. The only thing
better is a trip to the country.
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| Concerns: |
Since this was not expressly designed as an educational site, instructors would
be required to develop their own teaching and learning activities with no
direction from the site developers.
It is important to note the level of this material when working with students.
Four of the five beginning French students who reviewed the site
with one reviewer did not like the site because they thought that the videos
were well above their level of French. One of the students said that although
the site is for more advanced students, he was able to gain some insight and
"got the gist" of the videos, even as a beginner.
The comprehension of the videos can be facilitated with pre and post viewing
activities, but there is no doubt that they are most appropriate for second year
and above.
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
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| Strengths: |
The site was easy to navigate. My students who reviewed the site with a
broadband connection. also found it easy to access and use. The categorization
is logical and makes moving about the site efficient. The captions on the
thumbnails are informative and keep the user from wasting time searching about.
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| Concerns: |
One of my students was unable to view any of the videos, as she had only a
dial-up connection. Another student said two of the videos' audio quit after 18
minutes while the video portion continued.
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