30000 visits.

On Saturday morning this blog received its 30000th visitor. I don't know who it was but I'm very grateful.

When I started this blog in March 2009 I had no idea that anyone would want to read anything that I had to say and I'm still not convinced that they do.

My original idea was to review online resources which I had tried with my classes. Then my posts became more reflective and people started to take interest in my ideas.

The most popular post I have written is "Effective Feedback for Students" which still gets 20 or so hits each week (and is my personal favourite) but I get a lot of visitors who end up here after googling the word "coffee", too.

Anyway, whoever you are and however you got here, I just wanted to say, "Thank you."

Mitt Romney - la verité!

I've just read this article on the BBC news website. It concerns American Republican Presidential Frontrunner, Mitt Romney and the fact that one of his opponents, Newt Gingrich, has criticised him for SPEAKING FRENCH.

So what did he say that was so offensive to the ears of his fellow republicans?

Did he call for independence for Quebec?

No.

Did he say that France should no longer be a part of the Eurozone Bailout?

No.

Did he suggest that French colonialism in Africa was a good thing?

No.

He said, and I'm quoting here, "Je m'appelle Mitt."

What kind of people would see it as a disadvantage that the Head of State of the most powerful country in the world might be able to speak a foreign language?

Here is the video:

The subjunctivator.

**** This has now been replaced by the SUBJUNCTIVISOR ****

Happy New Year!

I thought I'd start 2012 by sharing a great online tool which my 6th formers have used.

It's called the Subjunctivator. It comes from www.about.com's French guide, Laura K Lawless.

The Subjunctivator consists of a drop down box with a long list of phrases in French, you select a phrase by clicking on it and wait. A new window opens with the correct answer (either subjunctive or indicative) and at least one sample sentence using the phrase in French.

For 6th form lessons it's ideal for revision and independent learning, as a starter or just to look up phrases which they aren't too sure about.