Allies: Resources For the French Teacher

In this section you will find materials that assist in a variety of ways as you seek to develop support for and knowledge of your French program.

  • Some of the documents are questionnaires that parents, colleagues and staff, and counselors can complete to offer the teacher valuable information about the potential kinds of support to expect from them. You might find speakers for Honor Society inductions or field-trip ideas.
  • Other materials provide models for documents that teachers might want to produce for distribution to parents, students, and colleagues. These samples and templates can be easily tailored to specific needs.
  • Some materials provide background information, statistics, and talking points on the importance of studying French today. The testimonial section provides first-hand accounts of parents and students, who describe how French has affected their lives. The video program The World Speaks French: Video Stories presents personal stories about the importance of studying French.
  • It also makes sense to consider how you can help students think about being a French teacher! This initiative from ACTFL helps start you on that path. Can you “grow your own” future teacher for your program? The program’s called “Educators Rising“–check it out!

https://www.actfl.org/career-development/educators-rising


Gathering and Disseminating Information

  • Questionnaire for your colleagues, to help identify allies:

  • Booklet to inform parents about your French program:

  • A list of possible activities, which you can customize: help parents and allies know what you are doing!

  • Your students, allies, and parents can give reasons why they think French is valuable: these forms will help you gather those testimonials (remember to get a signed release form to use the testimonials)


Advice from Colleagues:


Information on French speakers in the world:

Map of the French-Speaking World

You can get information about French-speakers in the United States through the Modern Language Association’s language map data center: MLA Language Map Data


Video Stories:  “The World Speaks French”

Click here to access the video stories: interviews with people from different walks of life who tell fascinating stories of how learning and speaking French has impacted their lives and careers. 

The World Speaks French: Video Stories

Strategy: The World Speaks French Topics And Themes (How you might use the videos)


Information about French-US trade and economic relationships:

2024 France-U.S. Economic Report