French Listening Activities for ANY non-fiction video

Here are some beginner-friendly FSL listening activities you can try with any non-fiction French video. These are designed to be simple and engaging, making it easier for beginner learners to follow along and build confidence with listening comprehension. If you're looking for French listening resources, you can shop for them on The French Nook TPT shop.

1. Picture Match

• Prepare a few images related to the video topic. As they listen, students match each image to a specific part of the video. This can help reinforce vocabulary and allow students to make connections between visuals and spoken words.

2. Basic Vocabulary Bingo

• Create Bingo cards with simple vocabulary words that might be mentioned in the video. As they hear each word, students mark it off on their Bingo card. This encourages them to listen for keywords and build their vocabulary.

3. Who, What, Where

• Provide a simple 3-question worksheet asking who the video is about, what the main topic is, and where the events happen. Students can complete this as they listen. It’s a straightforward way to focus on main ideas.

4. Draw What You Hear

• Pause at key moments and have students draw what they just heard about. This could be a person, an animal, a location, or an object. It allows beginners to show understanding visually without needing extensive vocabulary.

5. Listen for Numbers

• Give students a list of numbers (like ages, dates, or quantities) that might be mentioned in the video. Students listen carefully and circle the numbers as they hear them. This is great for videos that include lots of factual information.

6. Simple True or False

• Create a short list of true/false statements based on the video. As they watch, students check whether each statement is true or false. It’s a good way to reinforce listening for specific details and basic comprehension.

7. Match Vocabulary Words to Images

• Make a list of key vocabulary words from the video, accompanied by images representing each word. Students listen and match each word to the correct image, which helps them connect spoken words to meanings.

8. Fill in the Word

• Provide a sentence or two from the video with a few key words missing. As students listen, they fill in the missing words. This helps them focus on specific vocabulary without needing to write long responses.

9. Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

• Give a list of statements about the video’s content. As students watch, they give a thumbs up if the statement is correct and a thumbs down if it’s incorrect. This is simple and keeps them actively engaged with minimal writing.

10. Keyword Hunt

• Provide students with a short list of keywords (like "animal," "Paris," "teacher," etc.) that might come up in the video. They check off each word as they hear it. This activity works well with a vocabulary theme and keeps them listening for familiar words.

11. Simple Sequence

• Write 3-5 main points or events from the video out of order. Students watch and put them in the correct order, which reinforces understanding of the general flow of the content without requiring complex responses.

12. Find the Colors

• If the video includes descriptions or visual elements, ask students to listen for any colors mentioned. They write down each color and what it describes. This works well for nature, art, or science videos.

13. Answer with a Drawing

• After watching, ask students to draw one main thing they learned or saw in the video. This activity encourages comprehension in a creative way without needing to produce sentences.

14. Yes or No Questions

• Provide simple yes/no questions based on the video (e.g., “Is the video about animals?” “Did they talk about food?”). Students circle or say “yes” or “no” as they listen, reinforcing basic listening skills.

15. Listen for Greetings or Common Phrases

• Have students listen for simple expressions (like “bonjour,” “merci,” or “au revoir”) and raise their hand each time they hear one. This can make students more attentive to everyday language and conversational phrases.

These beginner-friendly activities make listening practice accessible and enjoyable, helping students gradually improve their comprehension without overwhelming them.

Looking for more info about FSL listening skills? Check out my blog posts: 5 activities to assess listening skills in the FSL classroom, OR Assessing listening skills in the French classroom.