TV5 Francophonie en images is a series of videos featuring authors, performers, and political figures from around the Francophone world. The short modules provide authentic material for listening comprehension and the study of culture at an advanced level of French proficiency.
Type of Material:
Video clips of Francophone figures in the cultural and political world
Recommended Uses:
This material can be used in the classroom as a supplement to a lesson on Francophone topics or as a homework assignment. Instructors will need to create supplemental exercises.
Technical Requirements:
A media player for audio and video; A high-speed Internet connection is recommended.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Users will enhance cultural awareness and practice authentic listening comprehension in French. The modules will help students increase vocabulary in the target language and become more familiar with French culture and events. They will have a chance to hear French as it is spoken in different areas of the world.
Target Student Population:
Students with advanced proficiency in French and native speakers
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Students should have a high intermediate to advanced command of spoken French.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
TV5 has long been known for its inclusion of all the various voices of the Francophone world and this learning material is no exception. The content is accurate and culturally relevant. Each video clip is identified with a brief biographical summary so that users know what to expect. The program features access to figures in Francophone history that students may not find so readily elsewhere. Interviews are divided into two broad categories: Créativités et savoirs, et Figures. The figures are categorized as either "Hommes de lettres" or "Hommes d'Action". Under "Créativités et savoirs" there are live performances, cinema interviews and features on Science and technology. The interviews are multicultural, featuring men and women of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Interviews can be organized geographically by clicking on "Espaces" and the tabs for different continents. Many learners of French are likely to have seen films like "The Scent of Green Papaya" or the "Barbarian Invasions", both of which had worldwide distribution. It is a rare opportunity to be able to have easy access to interviews with the directors of these films. Similarly, there are no less than three segments on Léopold Senghor and a segment with Aimé Césaire on culture and politics. Both of these figures are represented in French literature and civilization courses around the world.
Concerns:
The title "Hommes de lettres" is not inclusive, as there are currently two women in this category. Also, it would be an enhancement to hear some female voices in the "Action" section.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Students can use the site to learn about Francophone personalities and to supplement outside reading. The videos can be used in class to spark discussion or independently for listening comprehension,
vocabulary and phonetic practice. Students who are preparing oral exposés on Francophone topics can easily refer to these interviews during their presentations to add an audio-visual dimension to their presentation. Faculty can develop comprehension and expansion questions to go with each video.
Concerns:
Fiches pédagogiques would be an enhancement to these superb videos. TV5 has provided these in their Cités du monde series and the same would be welcome here as well.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The navigation is clear and consistent.Viewers can choose personalities by region or speciality. Once the cursor is on a particular photo, a short summary of the clip is shown. The pop-up boxes describing each video segment provide the user biographical information on each figure in a consistent format. The module is extremely sophisticated and easy to use.
Creative Commons:
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