Produced by the BBC, Accents D'Europe is an intermediate level audio magazine for students of French as a foreign language. Audio features narrated in French by native speakers can be approached by topic or by language function. Users can listen to whole articles and/or read their transcription. Listening exercises are included for a portion of each article. External links to a multilingual dictionary and to other news sources, both broadcast and print, are also accessible from the home page.
Type of Material:
Collection
Recommended Uses:
Independent learning and in-class discussion
Technical Requirements:
Media player
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Students will improve their listening comprehension in French, their vocabulary and grammar skills. They will also increase their cultural awareness.
Target Student Population:
Intermediate level French students
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Intermediate reading and listening proficiency
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
An offering of the excellent BBC Language learning series, this resource presents reusable audio segments on a wide variety of topics such as Business and Work, France and Europe, Education, the Environment, Health, Politics, and Society. There are a wealth of materials for the adult language learner who seeks to improve his/her french for professional reasons. The materials are archived by month, but can also be sorted by topic or language structure. For example, it is possible to choose the partitive article as a language focus and do a cloze exercise that asks the user to choose the correct article. Practicing language in context, the student has direct contact with the culture as well.
Concerns:
It should be noted that there are articles on potentially sensitive and controversial issues. Faculty should preview modules carefully to gauge item appropriateness for their learners.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Users can listen to the articles as often as they like, repeating challenging passages as needed. The articulation and rate of speech mirrors that of broadcast news. These modules can be used to prepare learners to comprehend target language news on radio and television without transcription.
The modules will be invaluable for French courses that feature current events, civilization, and culture. Students can engage in discussion and debate on the issues presented, and they can engage in writing assignments about the topics as well.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Consistent with other BBC language materials, the site is designed for a worldwide audience with ease of use in mind. Navigation is straightforward and resources are all a click away.
Creative Commons:
Search by ISBN?
It looks like you have entered an ISBN number. Would you like to search using what you have
entered as an ISBN number?
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
