Learning French words with mime/gesture

Teaching professionals agree that learning French or any other language is a verbal and auditory exercise.  You need to hear and speak the sounds when you are learning French words for example.

Learning styles have an impact on what and how we teach. Understanding strategies for teaching visual learners can help your Learning French Language students get the most out of your French language classes.

The challenge is that the majority of students are visual learners, so it is important to use a system that will provide visual cues or prompts to aid the memory of visual learners.  Just think of the expressions we use:

§  Let's look at it differently.

§  See how this works for you.

§  I can't quite picture it.

 

                  § Let's draw a picture or map.

For those who are teaching French words to visual learners you should use images, pictures, color and other visual aids to help students learn.

All children love to role play, so you could consider using gestures and mime in training your students in Learning French Language.   Here are some examples you could use:

-          When you say “good-bye” always wave

-          When  you say “sit down” you should use a gesture

-          Or if you say “be quiet” you can put your finger to your lips

To get the whole class involved, you could have French words for emotions on flash cards and as you hold up each card the students say the word and also gesture the emotion.  For instance, “happy” – everyone could smile, “sad” – everyone could frown.

 Students could also act out a story so they can associate the gestures with the words they are learning.

 

The most important thing to remember when using mime and gestures to students learning French is to be consistent, use them every time you say the words.  Practice makes perfect and it makes learning more fun.