This is a collection of Radio France International's multimedia "news and features" dossiers on various literature, culture, and language related topics meant for use by professors and students of French for advanced French study. Some of the dossiers include pedagogical suggestions (fiches pédagogiques)and practice exercises, while some are only informational in nature and resemble regular news features with further links to other RFI articles as well as to external sites provided to deepen knowledge of the news item/cultural topic. Part of the general RFI news and culture website, the resource may be used as enrichment for upper intermediate to advanced level students of French. The thematic dossiers include the following topics: 2007 Rugby World Cup, Francophonie, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Dubbing and Subtitles in Film, Oulipo, Vocabulary of the Maghrebi "Bled" and Victor Hugo. Features within the dossiers include images and graphics, audio, interactive language exercises, links to related documents, glossaries and teachers guides. The learning goal of the material is news and actualité based advanced linguistic and cultural study, and especially the development of listening comprehension. Contents are entirely in French and entirely authentic. The exercises are primarily listening comprehension and are supported by texts for reading in each dossier.
Type of Material:
Resources for teachers. Reference material with listening exercises.
Technical and pedagogic datasheets.
Recommended Uses:
Best used for enrichment in upper level language and culture courses.Due to the depth of the treatment of each subject, it needs scaffolding and an instructor to guide the reception of the information.
Technical Requirements:
Requires multimedia computer, browser, high-speed connectivity, audio and video capability.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The primary learning goal is the improvement of listening and reading skills. Each dossier provides huge amounts of reading opportunities in French and the derivative pedagogical activities and follow-up work entail listening to excerpts of recordings and target listening comprehension. The listening comprehension exercises are all based on embedded recordings and audio clips relating to the topic of the dossier.This site encourages the learning/teaching of French through authentic documents, especially radio reports and the news in general.
Target Student Population:
Targets advanced students in a traditional setting, or students who already have functional proficiency in French or are in an immersion environment.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Ability of read and understand French at the upper intermediate to advanced levels. Ability to negotiate densely set text and multimedia web pages.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The language and content of the learning material are of very high quality. Prepared and presented by experts. Thematic content is very rich and exhaustive. The clips are of excellent quality in terms of delivery, sound quality and clarity. Content is interesting and will appeal to a variety of learners.
Concerns:
Content very detailed and at times specialized.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Good practice tool for enhancing listening skills. Will be effective if used in a very purposeful and directed way for vocabulary building and training of the ear. Will engage the culturally aware and motivated learner.
Concerns:
Requires lot of preparation time prior to actual use because of density and choices available. Students may feel lost if they are not properly guided through the maze of contents. Materials and design not the most ideal for independent student use.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
It is easy to use. It is clearly engaging. All the links to other RFI modules are working. The learner can also visit other modules like le journal en français facile, les mots de l'actualité or « teaching business ».
Concerns:
Very dense layout with lots of distractions. Organization can seem confusing and navigation can be overwhelming for someone not familiar with the site or not using the dossiers on a regular basis.
Other Issues and Comments:
Definite recommendation for students on the fast track.
Creative Commons:
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