Leveling Up in FSL

Working at an all boys school, I have learned that engagement in FSL can be a challenge. Boys can sometimes come in with a negative attitude towards learning a language. Sometimes they believe that French is for girls, or French is useless, or French is boring. I am trying to change negative views of FSL for these boys. My current Grade 6 cohort is full of hands-on learners: boys who build paper airplanes in every class and try to sneak in magnets, paper clips and wires whenever possible. They love to talk but don’t always love to listen.

This year I was given the suggestion to try using learning centres to maximize my time with small groups to give feedback, while also giving boys the power of choice. I knew that centres would involve a lot of front-loaded work from me, setting up the stations and giving instructions and appropriate modelling of each activity. I did what I could to keep each activity straightforward, with very clear written instructions at each location. I also set the groups and told the boys which activity they should start at and then move to once the timer was up. I had high hopes that they would work well independently and transition smoothly from one learning centre to the next.

What ended up happening was more resemblant of a circus that a smooth-running classroom. Chaos and pandemonium ensued due to several factors. Boys chose not to read the instructions, expecting that I would verbally explain every little detail many times over. Boys also found the activities boring and not useful (exactly the perspectives I was trying to change!). Boys also were not ready to have complete freedom and independence while I focused my attention on one group at a time.

So I scrapped the centres. But I haven’t scrapped the idea of giving boys the freedom to choose what they work on, how they apply their French language skills and with whom they work. Now I have a structure of my class that allows me to deliver content and get boys excited about using the words and phrases they are learning. I am using FrenchQuest.ca to bring some fun into their FSL classroom.

FrenchQuest is a wordpress-powered site that allows me to customize the “Missions”, “Quests” and “Levels” my students work towards. I give criteria for each task and require them to propose ideas, meet with me to review progress, and submit work to me for approval or denial of their points and badges. I have been using this site for about three weeks now and I am finding the boys more engaged than ever before! All they want to do is work on their FQ projects.

I love how with the simple addition of awarding points, levels and badges (in lieu of marks), boys are much more excited and creative! Just the other day two of the maker-type boys in one class asked me if I could add a mission or quest called Inventor where they have to create a product, make a design, a prototype and a commercial with instructions in French how to use the product. I was so impressed with their innovation, I decided to make one of the missions a “FrenchQuest Creator” where kids can come up with tasks they want me to add to our missions and quests!

I am ecstatic to see them working collaboratively on things that interest them, although I am finding that the language of communication while they work has shifted from French back to English. I know I still have a lot of work to do: figure out ways to encourage them to speak more French amongst one another and with me, monitor their priorities and time management, give efficient and productive feedback, and assess their products. But I’m excited for the possibilities to Level Up in my classroom!