When developing a unit to teach language, my primary focus is how to recycle language for multiple repetitions. I rely on some techniques that come from the Comprehensible Input movement, like Card Talk, Story Listening, Picture Talk, Map Talk, Movie Talk and Write and Discuss. In addition, students ask each other questions and then synthesize the information to report back to the class. And furthermore, students get away from their desks and do activities and games in a circle. I also rely on authentic materials for students to read, listen to and watch and then comment on. In this unit you will see commercials, print ads, music videos, a map, photographs of famous people and a movie trailer. 

The result is that students have multiple encounters with French words for free time activities. I don’t teach a list of vocabulary words to master, rather my goal is for students to be able to speak about their free time activities and understand their peers on the same topic. Here is a unit on Free Time Activities where you can see examples of how I get students to repeat many repetitions of the new vocabulary all while communicating with the peers.

** Please note: there are links and instructions in the speaker notes.