French Stereotypes
How did you pick this theme or topic?
Stereotypes are always a good topic because usually students have a lot to say about them and are interested in knowing what the stereotypes of the Americans are.
How did you present the material? (Handouts, group work, general discussion, student presentations, etc.)
Youtube video
Flashcards
How did students react?
They reacted well, but I was very surprised that they had not more stereotypes to associate to French people. They only had a few, and were not aware of most of the ones we saw in the video and talked about with the flashcards.
Did they engage with each other and you?
Yes. They engaged with me as they tried to think about stereotypes, as they had to summarize the video, and as they asked questions about whether or not the stereotypes were true/partly true/false.
What materials or media did you use? (articles, satellite tv, digital projector, etc.)
Laptop
Flashcards
Please attach a copy.
Below is the plan I had with me in class.
Would you recommend this activity for a future class?
Yes, but it would be more fun if they knew more about the stereotypes.
Intermediate 03/02
1. Stereotypes – 10 min
French stereotypes they know?
⇒ On the white board, two columns, positive/negative
2. Youtube video
→ French stereotypes in movies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4A8C5nRWTg
→ they need to write down all the stereotypes mentioned in the video
3. Brainstorming – 15 min
– What do they think? Do you agree?
– Writing them all (video + brainstorming) on the blackboard in the right column: POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE
4. Flashcards – 15 min
– Cards with pictures such as garlic, wine, cheese, bread, an accordion, a mime, a man with two women, people on strike, a bad driver, etc…
– Have to describe the cards to the other
– Find the stereotype associated with the card
– Then, they have to discuss it and put it in the right column: Vrai/Partiellement vrai/Faux