Ressources

LEARNING RESOURCES

Here are some resources and websites to support learning—with a particular focus on French language learning.

COMPTINES AT THE TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY

Comptines are rhymes and a great way to build vocabulary and phonetic awareness.  The Toronto Public Library has a quite a few that come with picture books and CDs.   You can reserve some by :

As you scroll through the list of options, look for titles that have a grey icon marked “CD” or  “Audio Book”.  

DICTIONARY

If you would like to understand the French words that appear in your child’s work and on this site, Word Reference is a useful online dictionary.   Clicking on the “ECOUTER” icon next to the entry allows you to hear how the word is pronounced.  There is also a free Word Reference app.

FRENCH PHONETIC ALPHABET

A - ah

B - bay

C - say

D - day

E - uh

F - ef

G - jhay

H - ash

I - ee

J - jhee

K - kah

L - el

M - em

N - en

O - oh

P - pay

Q - kue

R - air-rr

S - ess

T - tay

U - oo

V - vay

W - doo-bluh-vay

X - eeks

Y - ee-grec

Z - zed

MEDIA

Below is a short list of French media resources to support your child’s learning in French. 

Remind your child to let the language “wash over” her/him.  There is no need to understand everything—but consistent exposure to French is key to increasing understanding.  It also helps a lot if you (the families) show interest in French.  Maybe watch French movies together and put on English subtitles so that you can follow along (on streaming services, or select the French option on DVDs).  Listening to francophone radio or music is another way to demonstrate interest.  Maybe you’ll discover a francophone artist or two whose music you enjoy…

OFFICE NATIONAL DU FILM / NATIONAL FILM BOARD

TÉLÉ FRANCOPHONE DE L'ONTARIO (TFO)

RADIO CANADA TÉLÉVISION

EDUCATIONAL GAMES  / LOGICIELS ÉDUCATIFS

RADIO CANADA

90.3 FM (listen around the house or in your car)

MUSIC STREAMING SERVICES