Important Phrases

FRENCH PEOPLE

1. Comment?
km

Louis Braille

Translation: What?
2. Je ne comprends pas
n kp p
Translation: I dont understand.

Braille created a system of

3. Jai une question

e yn kstj
Translation: I have a question.

too may read.

raised bumps still used today

for blind people so that they

Gustave Eiffel

4. Puis-je taller aux toilettes

pi- tale o twalt
Translation: May I go to the bathroom?

This French engineer designed

5. Comprenez-vous?
kpne-vu
Translation: Do you understand?

York.

Fore More Information

the Eiel tower in Paris as well

as the Statue of Liberty in New

CHARACTERISTICS
1. National Pride

Positive: What French Parents Do That Americans

The French are very proud of their background and

will protect their culture. Many French people
refrain from mixing words from other languages in
with French when speaking. Expect code switching
to be less prevalent among these students.

Dont

2. Close Relationships

Articles on French Parenting

Negative: The Truth About French Parenting (And I
Would Know)

French Childrens Songs

http://theeasiestlanguagetolearn.com/top-8-frenchsongs-for-kids/

Friendship for French individuals is a large

responsibility and obligation. Being a friend means
making daily contact with one another. This is not a
casual relationship.

3. Food
Education In France
http://about-france.com/primary-secondary-schools.htm

FRE NC H
CU LTURE

Regional foods are highly prized in French culture,

especially wines and cheeses. Food is often the focus
of social gatherings. Dinner parties, for example, can
last long into the night. Eating is neither fast nor
informal.

The French culture described in this

pamphlet is native to the country of
France in Europe. French is the
predominant language spoken. Among
the French, Roman Catholicism is the
prominent religion.

Fun Facts

CONTRIBUTIONS

Geographic Fact:
France has land all over the world in many
dierent continents. It is important for
teachers to remember that just because a

The French culture has made many contributions to our understanding of materials across
content areas. By adding these into instruction, students receive a more diverse education and
greater understanding of their peers background and culture.

student is speaks French does not mean they

come from the European country. Grouping
students solely based on their linguistic
background may lead to cultural

S CIEN T IFIC CON T RIBUT IO N

misunderstandings.

The French are responsible for the creation of

Historical Fact:

batteries. This important invention allows for energy

to be portable. Teachers could introduce this as a

The French celebrate July 14th as the day the

Bastille in Paris was taken, beginning the

One of the first batteries

created by the French
Battery and Carbon CO.

possible science experiment, explaining the battery

and asking students to create their own electric
circuit.

French Revolution. Teachers must be aware

of this day as students may potentially

MAT H EMAT ICA L CON TR IBUT ION

confuse this day with July 4th, the United

The French were the first to stray from the use of

standard units with the creation of the meter and

States Independence Day.

Economic Fact:
On average, French people receive five weeks
of paid vacation each year. This is just one
example of how time is valued among the
French. Students may be used to this vacation
time as well as extended lunch periods, which
usually last around two hours in French
schools. Counting minutes is very much a
part of the American culture, not the French.

A poster from the

1930s of the
French metric
system

the subsequent metric system. This system is used

around the world today. This could be used to
explain measurement and how distance is affected
by the units we use.
L ITE RA RY CON TR IBUT ION

Antoine de Saint-Exupry is the author of the

famous childrens book, The Little Prince. He wrote
this story of an alien prince fallen to Earth while he
was exiled during WWII. Teachers could incorporate
this into a unit on WWII or into a book project about
childrens fantasies.

This English translation is

one of over 250 translations
of the story.