5 ways to motivate your child to study their French vocabulary

Created by Alloprof, this fun online game dictates French words for your child to write. It has a bank of over 16,000 words and is updated regularly following government recommendations. You can even suggest new words by contacting our team! 

You can also create your own word lists. It couldn't be easier: just create an account (or log in if you already have one). You must be logged in to save the codes for your lists.
Note: Lists must contain at least 8 words.
Once logged in, your child will also be able to do the following:

• Choose a fun wallpaper
• View their stats and track their progress
• Use suggested vocabulary lists that match their grade level
• Use a vocabulary list created by their teacher by entering a specific code
• Etc.

Approaching your child’s study session as an opportunity for play is a great way to boost their motivation! There are plenty of games that focus on vocabulary, and quite a few on the Alloprof website. For instance, our French vocabulary word cut-out is a great visual tool for young children who are just learning to read and write. Featuring nine lists of 12 words, it’s a perfect way to prepare them for Grade 1.

As your child gets better at identifying and writing words in French, you can try out our word wheel. It’s a fun and original way to practise spelling. To play, cut out the cards and the wheel, then attach the arrow to the centre of the wheel with a brass fastener. Each time your child spins the wheel, they get a new spelling challenge. There are countless possibilities! A blank card is provided so you can add words from your child’s vocabulary homework, or create your own spelling challenge.

Some words are harder to spell than others. You can teach child mnemonic techniques to help them with memorization. These strategies aim to create meaningful associations—for instance, between the spelling of a word and a mental image. When it comes time to write the word, this association will help your child remember it.

For example, to distinguish between verre (glass) and vert (green), your child could remember that vert takes a T because there’s a golf tee on green grass. Or, they could remember that compte (account) has a P since you deposit a paycheque in your bank account. Some other examples:

• Nourrir (to feed) has two Rs since you feed your dog twice a day.
• Mourir (to die) has only one R since you only die once.
• Courir (to run) has only one R since the other ran away.
• Etc.

Your child can also come up with their own memorization tricks. When it comes to learning spelling, nothing is more effective than using your own mnemonic associations. Songs, jokes, poems . . . They all work!

To give your child an exciting way to study their vocabulary words, create a challenge jar. Write spelling challenges on small pieces of paper and drop them in a jar. You can even write down the same challenge several times if your child really enjoys it! Every day, during their homework, your child can shake the jar and pick a vocabulary challenge. Here are some ideas:

• Look at your vocabulary list. Then, play Hangman or solve an anagram (letters are rearranged) with a parent to figure out the vocabulary word.
• Make up sentences using words from your vocabulary list.
• Practise writing your vocabulary words on a chalkboard, a window (with dry-erase markers), on the bathtub (with shower markers), etc.
• Move or change position with each syllable (e.g., stand, sit, kneel, jump, stand on one leg).
• Write the words with your non-dominant hand.
• Write each letter in a different colour.
• Write the same word at least three times in a row, then write it with your eyes closed.
• Make invisible ink with milk or lemon juice, then write the words with a feather. Reveal your secret message by holding it next to a warm lamp.
• Etc.