Ideas for French games

Ideas for French games
Jacques a dit
This is the French version of Simon Says and is ideal for revising vocabulary, particularly classroom
instructions. It also helps consolidate listening skills in the new language as children need to listen
very carefully to help them decide how to respond. Since most children are familiar with the game,
this will help them understand how to play it in French.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Tell the children that you are going to play Simon Says.
Re-cap the classroom instructions in French (see below). Children do the corresponding action as
you say each phrase.
Practise the classroom actions together first for support. Ask the class to stand up at this point
Say a phrase at random. If it is preceded by Jacques a dit then the children do the action, if it’s
not then they stay still.
If a child does an action by mistake then they are out and have to sit down.
Once children are out they can help you decide who should be out in subsequent rounds.
New language for game instructions:
On va jouer à Jacques a dit.
We’re going to play Simon Says.
Je vais vous donner des instructions.
Si Jacques a dit de faire quelque
chose, vous allez faire l’action. Si
Jacques ne dit pas de le faire, vous
ne faîtes rien.
I’m going to give you some
instructions. If Simon tells you to do
something then you do the action. If
Simon doesn’t tell you to do it then
you do nothing.
levez-vous
stand up
écoutez
listen (children point to their ears)
regardez
look (children point to their eyes)
répétez
repeat
lisez
read
écrivez
write
parlez
speak
taisez-vous
be quiet
asseyez-vous
sit down
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