French+Phonics

Knowing the sound system of any language is vital if you want to learn to read fluently and pronounce words correctly. This slidecast, which includes the pupils' own voices, concentrates on three French phonemes in particular: 'on', 'oi' and 'ch'. Listen to the soundtrack to find out which words contain these sounds... media type="custom" key="5418435"

The following three videos from Youtube are also ideal for practising key French phonemes.

The first will help you to perfect the 'eau' phoneme as heard in the word gâteau. The lyrics appear on-screen in time with the music so you can sing along too. media type="custom" key="5386767"

This second karaoke style rhyme will help you to practise and pefect both the 'ain' and 'ch' phonemes. media type="custom" key="5386825"

Finally, this cute video will help you to pronounce the phonemes 'on', 'eau' and 'in' with a beautiful French accent. This one doesn't have the accompanying lyrics on-screen, so just listen carefully for the rhyming phonemes in each verse. How many words do you recognise? media type="custom" key="5386857"

__Some on-line phonics activities for you to try...__

First, here's a [|catchy alphabet rap] for you to try.

[|Click on any letter of the alphabet] to check its pronunciation and hear a word that contains that sound.

Complete each word by [|filling in the missing letter.]

[|Practise the 'an/en' & 'on/om' phonemes here] and follow this activity up with a [|listening exercise] in which you have to sort words into two sets depending on phoneme.

 Tongue-twisters can be notoriously difficult to recite in any language and this [|collection of audio files] from French television channel TV5Monde shows that it's certainly not any easier in French !

Here are a few more examples from the wonderful [|learnalberta website...] these tongue-twisters focus on key phonemes 'an/en' & 'on/om'. Why not use the microphone function to record your own attempts?