French Language Studies

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Dictionaries

ULTRA LINGUA DICTIONARY
Fl Dictionaries available through this site for approx. $30.00. French available (German Spanish and Italian available soon) with over 250000 words signaling slang and vulgar expressions.

WORDREFERENCE
Online dictionary that allows you to research words in multiple languages aswell as synonyms and conjugations. Can also be downloaded on Iphones, Androids and tablets.

LINGUEE
Linguee is a unique translation tool combining an editorial dictionary and a search engine with which you can search billions of bilingual texts for words and expressions. It also gives external sources, placing the researched word in different sentences depending on it's definition.

LINGRO- Webreader and Dictionary
Read French Websites with this awesome dictionary that allows you to click on words and get their translation. On the main page, choose the respective languages (i.e.French –English) , insert the website you want to read!

LEXICAL FREENET CONNECTED THESAURUS
Connected Thesaurus. Easy to use database that allows you to search for relationships between words, concepts and people. Very powerful with features lacking in other thesauri.

GALLICA, BIGLIOTHEQUE NATIONAL DE FRANCE DIGITAL LIBRARY
The Bibliothèque Nationale site. Has many links and many on line texts.
 

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Placement Tests and Practice Exams

• France Langue
  Within a few minutes you will have a definite result of your written French from this quick test. The test contains 6 levels which are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Please note this test is more recreational than it is pedagogical. Use the chart to know where you stand in the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages.
• Transparent Language - French Proficiency Test
  This test contains 150 questions that will measure your French proficiency and is divided into categories of Grammar, Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension. After completing the test, the results will tell if you have beginner, intermediate or advanced French proficiency.
• WEBCape
  Bard's Language Center, upon faculty request, provides French students with access to the WebCAPE language placement exam which is designed to accurately and efficiently place students in the first two years of college language courses.
• Altissia
  This test focuses on your knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and typical sentences to use in basic, as well as professional conversations. Divided in two parts this quizz will take about 20 minutes to do and, while you are taking the test, the level of the questions will evolve depending on your answers allowing you to find out which level you are. A1-C1
• Compare European Grades
  Check how you score in other European countries.
• The European CV
  A standard CV template widely used in Europe for exchange, full
  degree or PhD students to communicate academic and work history.
  
  Always look on the website of the school you are trying to get into if they have their own French examination. There are several papers that schools could ask for. You will need at least one that attests that your level of French is sufficient enough. These papers are :
• TCF - test de Connaissance du Francais
  You need a B2 level or more from the TCF. The link will allow you to test your level and have examples of what will be asked by you in a typical TCF exam.
• TCF DAP
  This TCF DAB - Test de Connaissance du Français pour la Demande d’Admission Préalable is to do if you are a student that wants to go in License 1 in a French University or an architectural school.
• TEF - Test d'Evalutation de Francais
  The TEF - Test d’Evaluation de Français is designed to assess the level of French language of people who are not native French speakers. It is useful if you need to evaluate your French skills for Canadian Immigration, French Universities or for work.
• DELF or DALF

  DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) and DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) are official qualifications awarded by the French Ministry of Education to certify the competency of candidates from outside France in the French language.

  These certificates are valid for life. DELF and DALF consist of six independent certificates that correspond to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

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Resources for All Language Learners

Grammar and Vocabulary

• Anki - Flashcards
  Anki is a free program that allows you to create your own flashcards from which to study vocabulary, conjugations, or grammar. Flashcards can be downloaded from Quizlet, and Anki can be used on multiple devices, so you can practice on the go! The program allows you to categorize the cards by how well you know the information, presenting cards you are less familiar with more frequently and helping you learn more quickly!
• Quizlet - Flashcards
  A great website to create your own vocabulary lists, print flashcards, test yourself with the “testmaker”, combine lists to study a select number of words from the last semester, etc. . Can also be used for individual classes, and as an app on your mobile device
  Level: A1–C2
• Quia- Grammar Exercises
  Hundreds of online activities and quizzes provided by the public domaine but also by the Bard LC to review, practice and drill your grammar skills. To gain access to exercises related to Bard courses, contact the Bard French Department
  Level: A2–C1

Reading and Writing

• Lingro : Webreader + Dictionary
  Read French Websites with this awesome dictionary that allows you to click on words and get their translation. On the main page, choose the respective languages (i.e.French –English) , insert the website you want to read!
  Level: A1–C2
• Dictation Tool
  Listen and write! A terrible looking website – BUT: A natural sounding text-to-speech program with adjustable speed. Find an online text, copy and paste on to the website – open a word document – listen and Type!
  Level: A1–A2

Speaking and Comprehension

• Phonetics Sitw – University of Iowa
  A marvelous resource! This site contains animated libraries of the phonetic sounds in Frencn. Available for each consonant and vowel is an animated articulatory diagram, a step-by-step description, and audio-video of the sound spoken in context. Level: All levels
• Skype
  find new partners with whom they can practice oral skills could find tandem language partners through a Skype community
  Level: All levels
• Meetup
  A great site  for finding other local people to join a conversation table, or create a conversation table yourself!
  Level: All levels

Film and Video

• Facets Multi-Media
  The single best source for international cinema on video and DVD. The FACETS catalog includes both feature films and documentary works.
• FNAC
  French books, cds, video, dvds French online services.
• KINO International A small but important collection of international cinema, including seminal works of Weimar film. Excellent print reproductions; many restored versions. Kino titles are also available through most of general video distributors.
• Netflix – French List
  If you have a Netflix account, you can easily find all French films available here; most of them with English subtitles. For many films with French - or no subtitles, get access to the Bard FL Server
• Revues Littéraires et Culturelles
  This site gives you access to a great number of literary and cultural publications (French and Francophone).
• FluentU - for French Learners
  9 YouTube channels to learn French through videos.
  Level: A1-C1

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Resources for Advanced Language Learners

Bibliographies and Citations

• General Research and Documentation
• MLA Bibliography
• MLA Citation Generator
• MLA Style Handbook
• http://www.macmillanhighered.com/Catalog/
• http://www.easybib.com/#sourceList
• http://www.mla.org/bibliography

Culture and Literature

• Athena E-Texts
  Nearly 10, 000 links to books on philosophy, science, classics, literature, history, economics, etc. Multilingual. Several Search programs on author, title, language, words.    
• Arte
  TV network with programs and articles in the area of culture, and the arts.
• Beacoup! Reference and Education Literature
  Search by subject (biography, poetry, etc.) or collections (Shakespeare, Eliot etc.).
• Encephi: Encyclopedie Hypertexte de la Philosophie
  A very friendly Quebec site on philosophy, with definitions, biographies, French philosophical texts in French.
• Joconde - Catalogue des Collections des Musees de France
  Great site that gives access to all the works of art in French public collections that are in the public domain.  135,000 works, 150,000 artists!. Thematic research possible (I found 414 references to satyrs!).
• Site Officiel du Musee du Louvre
  The site of the largest museum in the world! And not just because of the smile of the Mona Lisa.
• Pennsylvania University Online Books Page
  Search Books, Features, Archives online by author, title, subject, foreign Languages and more - amazing, free site!
• Site de L'Encyclopedie Quid
  An AMAZING site with all conceivable information about France (and the rest of the world) constantly reviewed and corrected.
• Site Officiel du Musee du Louvre
  The site of the largest museum in the world! And not just because of the smile of the Mona Lisa.
• UbuWeb
  A large web-based educational resource for avant-garde material available on the internet in many different languages (Dutch, English, German, French, Spanish, Turkish) , founded in 1996 by poet Kenneth Goldsmith. It offers visual, concrete and sound poetry, film and sound art mp3 archives.

Publications

• COURRIER INTERNATIONAL
  A great site with the entire world’s information in French. One theme per month.
   
• LE MONDE FR
  A French newspaper.

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Listening and Comprehension Podcasts

LANGUAGE

• Radio France International
  This Radio offers podcasts to learn and teach French through audios, files, quizzes that treat actual and interesting topics.
  Lenght : Variable
  Level : B2-C1

ART

• Le Musee du Louvre

• Connaissance des Arts

BOOK and REVIEWS

• Critiques Libres
  Online critics of different books subbmitted by readers. This website allows you to search for peticular books or you can go and click on random book and discover a new book that might interest you.
  Level : C2-C1

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

• Cyprien
  Cyprien is a young French comedian who's been posting comical videos on YouTube where he became one of the most popular French YouTubers. One of the most known "modern artist" of France, his videos are funny and can be seen with generated subtitles for those who struggle to understand him.
  Lenght : ~3-6 min
  Level : B2 and higher

CRIME STORIES

• Télérama
  Télérama offers weekly audio podcasts of thriller book presentations in it's "Cercle Polar". There are also critics of new books that are being frequently posted where people can post their opinions on different books.
  Length : ~20 min
  Level : C1-C2

ECONOMICS

• *Information to be placed*

HISTORY

• Canal Academie

LITERATURE

• Litterature audio.com
  This website will allow you to listen to books read in French. More than 500 books are available to listen, from classics to more diversed genre.
  A1-C2

MUSIC

• Virgin Radio
  This Rock-Pop-Electro radio website allows you to listen to the live popcast. The website also contains articles concerning the actuality and music. Throughout the day you will be able to go on the website and listen to the different podcasts, programmes or discover which are the hits in France on the radio.
  Lenght : Variable
  Level : B2-C2
• France Musique Classic and contemporary, opera, jazz / world music, pop/ rock/ tracks, musical comedy, podcasts are centered around information about musical pieces with musical examples or podcasts simply dedicated to a particular musical style.
• Fip
  FIP's programming is an eclectic mix of musical genres: chanson, classical, film music, jazz, rock, world music and more, but with careful attention paid to smooth and unobtrusive transition from item to item. Continuous music interrupted only for traffic updates, occasional announcements about forthcoming events, and a short news broadcast at 10 minutes before the hour, but no advertising. The broadcasts are presented live from 7 am to 11 pm, after which a computer replays a selection of the music broadcast earlier in the day.

NEWS

• France Inter
  Politics, world, society, movies, books, theatre, music, economy, sports, history, science, justice
• France info
  Economy, justice, politics, education, society, other (technology and other topics of interest), world, Europe, sports
• Le Monde
  Le Monde is a French daily newspaper that has articles and videos available online. The news stories cover politics, international news, science, and economics, among other topics.

• Canal+
  This French website allows you to watch free episodes of French news reports, saterical news shows, short comedy clips, sports reports, and even full-length, popular television programs. Le Grand Journal, the major news report, and Le Petit Journal, the saterical off-shoot of Le Grand Journal, are an easy way to keep up with French politics and politicians. The satires and comedic shorts are a great way to get aquainted with French popular culture and slang.

• Francophone Radio
  This website provides links not only to radio stations broadcast in France, but the stations of every francophone country in the world! Listen to broadcasts from Belgium, Canada, Congo, French Caribbean, Madagascar, and Rwanda, among several others.

PHOTOGRAPHY

• Déclencheur Emissions
  100s of free video tutorials in French on everything concerning photography; on itunes.
  Length: 1-7 min
  Level: B2-C2
• AUXOISNATURE
  Learn how to take pictures of animals through online podcasts that are adapted to your level in photography. From beginners, through the use of tutorials, this website gives you guides depending on animals and elements of your interest.
  Level: B2-C2

POETRY

• Lyrik Line
  This website allows you to listen to poems from a huge variety of languages and countries read by their authors. It also provides written translations in several languages depending on the poem. An excellent resources for all language learners to improve listening and reading skills.

POLITICS

• *Information to be placed*

THEATRE

• Gameblog
  Videogame podcasts and blog posts regarding videogame news. weekly podcasts along with video footage. Blog posts made daily. - Recommended for intermediate to advanced.
• RadioFrance
  Direct radio broadcasts. 7 different radio broadcasts available. France Inter, France Info, France Bleu, France Culture, France Musique, Fip, Mouv’ Recommended for all levels.
• France bleu
  other, society, justice, economy, social, environment, politics, transport, international, health, culture, leisure, unusual, science, dossiers (information). Also podcasts for the weather, snow, jobs, traffic info, food, prognostics, horoscopes, television, the ability to search for other radio frequencies, football coverage.
• France Culture Information (society, politics, geopolitics, economy, Europe, crises), Literature (contemporary literature, poetry, French literature, novels, essays, foreign literature), Ideas (philosophy, religion, politics, ideas, debate, history), Art and Spectacles (music, cinema, theatre, radio, exposition, contemporary literature), history (20th century, 19th century, historiography, archaeology, middle-ages), science (geography, medicine, ecology, research, biology).
• Le Mouv’

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Teaching and Tutoring

• Pinterest.com
  http://www.pinterest.com
  
  Collect resources for learning about the target culture with this virtual bulletin board; create a class board, where all students can "pin" images or websites that could later be used to spur discussion. See this example of German Teaching with Pinterest
• Tourbuilder
  http://tourbuilder.withgoogle.com
  
  Builder is a tool to tell a story. It is new way to show people the places you've visited (literally, virtually or in a text) and the experiences you had along the way using Google Earth. It lets you pick the locations right on the map, add in photos, text, and video, and then share your creation.
• tumblr.com
  http://www.tumblr.com
  
  Really simple for people to make a blog and put whatever they want on it. Stories, photos, GIFs, TV shows, links, quips, dumb jokes, smart jokes, Spotify tracks, mp3s, videos, fashion, art, deep stuff. Tumblr is 229 million different blogs, filled with literally whatever.
• Worksheet Builder
  http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/generator-fill-in-the-blank.html
  
  Create your own fill-in-the blank worksheets quickly - this webpage has a similar tool
• Writing Resources
  
  A vos plumes !
  This site provides resources aimed to help students of all levels with the process of writing essays in French including explainations of grammar, vocabulary building tools, and interactive writing exercises to build descriptive skills. A Vos Plumes is also designed for teachers and includes a selection of writing prompts and classroom exercises and activities to help guide students through the writing process.