Communicating Respectfully: French and Inclusion

Lesson Title: Communicating Respectfully: French and Inclusion

Grade: 11

Subject: French Immersion

Materials/Resources:

• Two short anonymous quotes about identity and belonging

• Markers, pens, and paper for student notes and drawings

• Handout or slide with gender- and sexuality-inclusive strategies in French (e.g., use of names instead of pronouns, plural/general nouns, épicène vocabulary, neutral phrasing)

• Sticky notes or digital form for the consolidation reflection

Learning Goals:

• Recognize and describe people respectfully in French using gender- and sexuality-inclusive language.

• Define key terms related to identity and orientation in both French and English.

• Apply at least two gender- and sexuality-inclusive strategies in written and spoken French.

• Use vocabulary related to identity, gender, and belonging in authentic contexts.

• Reflect on the challenges and appropriate contexts for using inclusive language in French.

Success Criteria:

• Je peux décrire une personne de manière respectueuse en utilisant le français inclusif.

• Je peux expliquer les termes « identité de genre » et « orientation sexuelle » avec des exemples.

• Je peux appliquer au moins deux stratégies inclusives dans mes phrases et dessins.

• Je peux utiliser un vocabulaire approprié lié à l’identité, au genre et à l’appartenance.

• Je peux présenter mon personnage à la classe en utilisant un français clair et inclusif.

• Je peux écrire une phrase qui montre mon utilisation d’une stratégie inclusive et partager une réflexion sur un défi rencontré.

Curriculum Expectations:

• Speaking

  • B1.3 Speaking with Fluency: speak with a smooth pace, appropriate intonation, and accuracy in communications in French (prepared and spontaneous) about a variety of topics, including literary topics

  • B1.5 Applying Language Structures: communicate their meaning clearly, using parts of speech and word order appropriately

• Writing

  • D1.2 Writing in a Variety of Forms: write a variety of French texts to convey information, ideas, and opinions about a variety of topics, including literary and other challenging topics, applying their knowledge of the structural and stylistic elements of each form

  • D2.3 Producing Finished Work: make improvements to enhance the clarity and readability of their written work, and use various elements of effective presentation to produce a polished product for publication

Minds On: 

• Display two short anonymous quotes about identity and belonging. Ask: "How would you describe the people in these quotes in French respectfully?"

• Think-Pair-Share: students list in English or French any words they know about gender/identity, and one question they have.

Action:

• Present clear definitions (in English and French) for key terms; write the French terms on the board and provide simple example sentences: 

  • L'identité de genre "La personne se définit comme femme, homme, non‑binaire, etc."

  • L'orientation sexuelle "Attirance romantique et/ou sexuelle : hétéro, homo, bi, pan, asexuel(le)..."

• Model inclusive phrasing strategies in French with examples: for example, instead of il est heureux/Elle est heureuse, show alternatives—use the person’s name, rephrase to passive/impersonal constructs, or use plural where appropriate. Provide side-by-side examples and translations.

• Demonstrate how to ask politely for pronouns in French (e.g., "Quels pronoms utilisez‑vous?" or "Comment préférez‑tu que je parle de toi?") and model brief, respectful apologies for mistakes.

• Students may work individually or in pairs to describe and draw a person (real or fictional). Students must use at least two gender and sexuality-inclusive strategies taught in class, and they must include vocabulary related to identity, gender, and belonging.

• Students will present their characters to the class.

Consolidation:

• Each student writes one sentence in French that uses an inclusive strategy learned today (e.g., using a name instead of a gendered pronoun). Volunteer read a few examples.