Playing games in French class is so important for engagement and student learning. Providing students with ample ways to apply the language both orally and in writing will help students of all learning styles as they practice. Whether you teach FSL or immersion, fun games are an effective learning tool that students will love!
Here are some of my favorite French games:
French Board Games
I particularly love these, because students can play and practice at their own pace. You can circulate the room and help students out, but most older students will be able to play on their own without much teacher help. They love this, because they feel successful and they get some freedom to play.
This -er verbs board game is a perfect way to practice conjugation with beginners. As students work their way across the board, they draw a subject card and conjugate the verb shown on the space they land on. Make it more challenging by having them form complete sentences or use challenge words of your choice that you write on the board.
This chores board game is a perfect way for students to practice talking about household chores during a house-themed unit. There are two games included, so students can practice only with chores or they can also practice and review common household cleaning supplies. More ideas for differentiation are included in the resource.
French Scoot Games
I absolutely LOVE playing Scoot! It gives students a chance to move around the room, so it makes even grammar review a lot more fun. Plus, movement helps students retain information, so it’s ideal as a review just before a test or quiz. Use it the same way you’d use a worksheet to review, but get students WAY more engaged.
This game for house vocabulary is a fun way to practice rooms of the house and common household furniture. Students will practice with a mix of multiple choice and short answer to practice vocabulary, negation, descriptions, and present tense conjugation or -er verbs.
This French futur simple game is a fun way to review verb conjugation with students. Practice irregular French futur stems, conjugation, answering questions, and clauses with si and lorsque with a fun game even older students will love.
French Vocabulary Slap Games
This game is by far the favorite of every class I have ever taught. I used it with 4th grade to review basic vocabulary, with middle school immersion students to review verbs, and I even played with my AP French seniors. All kids love the competitive aspect of this game, and you can use the cards for other activities, like concentration or partner match-ups.
This school supplies game is a fun way to practice with beginning students. You’ll call out a vocabulary word and students will find the corresponding card and slap their hand on it. Each correct card they slap goes into a pile. The winner is the student who collects the most cards.
You can use the image cards to call out the French word. Want to have them practice translating English to French? Use the word cards and call out the English. You can print these school cards back to back for flashcards, too!
This French body parts game is perfect for a reflexive verbs unit or any time students are learning or reviewing body parts. Play it the same as described above.
French Bingo
And of course… what language class doesn’t love Bingo? It’s a really fun and relaxing way to practice some new vocabulary words that all ages love!
This French animal vocabulary bingo game is perfect for any unit where students are practicing with animals! There are 30 different animals in this game, and you can print off the handy vocabulary sheet for students to use during game play. Teaching immersion? This set includes image-based calling cards so you can say the word and show the image. This is perfect for younger students.
Don’t have time for a full unit, but want to bring in seasonal fun? Bingo is perfect for a holiday party or when you just have one class period to play with some new words. This French Valentine’s Day game is perfect to have on-hand for February!
