Music motivates. Using French music videos is a great way to inject French language and culture into any French program. In the Rock Your French Music Videos free mini-course we'll do a walk-through of several different types of French music videos.

Whether you're teaching in class or online, music videos are an easy go-to for many occasions. To make life during COVID even easier, this free mini-course will come with not only several French music videos for you to use, but entire resource packages for you to use for follow-up and assessment.

ÉTIENNE'S SUPER TIPS

1. Mix the styles of music. Not all your students like rock, rap, trap, or polka! Give them variety. In the examples found in this mini-course, you will see several different styles of music used to suit a wide range of tastes.
2. It's not all about grammar. OK. I know, weird statement coming from the guy that wrote songs like "Avoir II", "Aller", "Faire", "Le passé composé", etc. Sure, I've filled theaters and arenas with students screaming those songs alone, but take it from me... we can go even deeper. And, we can still use "real songs and music videos" to cover grammar, too. So, it's a win-win overall.
3. Revel in the culture of the songs. Culture is not a narrow-minded concept. Culture is in language, fashion, music styles, and so much more. Use French music videos to highlight French culture and allow students to compare and contrast with other cultures.
4. Don't just play music for music's sake. That would be like taking your students to a pastry shop and not letting them eat cake! Have a plan. In this free mini-course, you have access to months worth of teaching materials for the music videos included. Use these resources as a springboard to make your own future resources for whatever other French music videos you choose. Hint: Have students make up the resources too. No, I'm not kidding. Never be afraid to allow students to share in all aspects of the learning process. Well, except the marking part, I guess. You kind of have to be the final judge when it come to marking. Sorry.
5. Slow it down! If you hear any comments like "The French is too fast," take advantage of video players like the one on YouTube that allows you to vary the speed. Sure, the song will sound a bit funny, but they'll be engaged and able to understand things better.
6. Preview. Always preview videos. Even the ones included in this course. Always look out for lyrics or visuals that might be either too challenging for their level of French or perhaps not appropriate for specific students for specific reasons.
7. Adjust your expectations according to your students' abilities. Before you discard any song or music video as either too advanced or too childish, consider adjusting the types of follow-up activities that you plan to do. Songs are universal. Adjust the expectations, tasks, and projects you choose, to keep the song within their universe of learning.
8. Music videos don't have to be made by just musicians. As you will see in many of the free resource packages you're about to download (yes, for free), encouraging students to map out and make their own music videos to songs is a powerfully pedagogical possibility for progress in proficiency.
9. Allow your students to get to know the artists or bands that make the music and the music videos you choose. Fortunately, the music videos shared in this free mini-course provide many styles and sounds but all come from the same band: NOUS. You can share info on this band with your students by visiting their official website: https://nous.band/bios Sadly, NOUS was in the middle of a big USA Tour when COVID-19 stopped everything. That is why you'll see YouTube upload dates in the February/March range. It's like evidence of time standing still. But, the band is very much looking forward to connecting with French students worldwide, live in concert, as soon as the pandemic is over. My point? Don't allow any virus to stop your students from connecting (even if just at the information level) with the artists you share. Reach out to the artists on social media, try to arrange live interviews or online concerts, or book them to see a live show when the time is right. Communication breeds connection which increases learning and a passion for French. Here is a little clip of the band NOUS live in action in Buffalo, NY performing (of all things...) a cover of the ÉTIENNE song "Aller." Witness that connection I'm talking about. This is what your classes should look like everyday! ;) With safe social distancing, of course! lol

Are you ready to Rock Your French Music Videos? Let's get started. I recommend going in order. But, it's your call! :) Enjoy!

What are your thoughts on using music videos in the French class? Drop your thoughts and share you ideas in the comments section below.