Sign in

Steve Smith

@spsmith45.bsky.social
1.2K followers 1.3K following 3K posts

French teacher 33 years, now writing materials frenchteacher.net, blogs and books about language teaching.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Steve Smith
franceinfo @franceinfo.fr · 8h
Si la situation entre l'Iran et les Etats-Unis semble toujours coincée, le trafic pétrolier, lui, reprend au large de côtes omanaises selon plusieurs experts. Mais, pour l'instant, l'Europe n'en bénéficie pas.
l.franceinfo.fr
"On est de retour à plus de 90% des volumes d'avant-guerre" : où va tout le pétrole qui transite à nouveau par le détroit d'Ormuz ?
032
Reposted by Steve Smith
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Raffaella Manzo was kind enough to invite me on to her ELT podcast this summer. youtu.be/zmRmbrYzw9s?...
youtu.be
How Memory Works in Language Learning |ELT Coffee Chat with Steve Smith
YouTube video by Raffaella Manzo | ProTEFL Institute
022
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Lots of new French resources. Including an advanced video listening resource based on the Jordan Bardella story which is creating a stir. www.frenchteacher.net/latest/
frenchteacher.net
Archives: Updates | frenchteacher.net
Description.
001
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Raffaella Manzo was kind enough to invite me on to her ELT podcast this summer. youtu.be/zmRmbrYzw9s?...
youtu.be
How Memory Works in Language Learning |ELT Coffee Chat with Steve Smith
YouTube video by Raffaella Manzo | ProTEFL Institute
022
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
But Philippe is better placed at the moment than all other candidates. Much better placed than Mélenchon.
000
Reposted by Steve Smith
Le Figaro @lefigaro.fr · 28/09/2026
Selon ce sondage, la candidate RN l'emporterait largement si elle se retrouvait face à Édouard Philippe ou Jean-Luc Mélenchon.→https://l.lefigaro.fr/aoSk
201
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
This has been selling well recently, as has the second volume. A4 photocopiable for the new-ish GCSE. www.amazon.co.uk/New-GCSE-Fre...
amazon.co.uk
A New GCSE French Workbook: Part One : Smith, Mr Steve, Conti, Dr Gianfranco: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Buy A New GCSE French Workbook: Part One by Smith, Mr Steve, Conti, Dr Gianfranco (ISBN: 9798883135728) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
100
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Oh go on! I'll play. My top 3: The Wire, The West Wing and (big call) Blue Lights on BBC. I'm in the prefer Saul to BB camp.
100
Reposted by Steve Smith
Mr E @theniceman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
New Post whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2026/09/youn...
whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com
Young people in Mental Distress. What could it possibly be?
Many years ago in Mexico City, a friend and I came across a stall selling magnetic health bracelets. My friend (a scientist) asked the stal...
011
Reposted by Steve Smith
Teacher Tapp @teachertapp.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Mini whiteboards remain a classroom staple 📝 83% of KS2 teachers and 68% of EYFS/KS1 teachers use them weekly for whole-class responses. By subject: Maths & Languages lead at 80% Science at 71% English & Humanities at 46% Arts/D&T least at 35%
101
Reposted by Steve Smith
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Here is the third and last post based on the Robert Sakhrani PhD thesis. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/what...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
What could schools do to increase uptake?
This is the third of three posts based on the findings of Rober Sakhrani's PhD thesis about why uptake in MFL has declined in schools in En...
023
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Here is the third and last post based on the Robert Sakhrani PhD thesis. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/what...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
What could schools do to increase uptake?
This is the third of three posts based on the findings of Rober Sakhrani's PhD thesis about why uptake in MFL has declined in schools in En...
023
Reposted by Steve Smith
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
New post out: England's schools are now the second highest performing in the world outside the far east, according to the OECD's PISA study. Is this because of policy? Attitude to technology? Cultural factors like immigration? And where can we still improve? samf.substack.com/p/why-englan...
samf.substack.com
Why England’s schools are doing so well
And what we need to focus on next
3421167
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This post follows on from yesterday's. It's based again on Robert Sakhrani's PhD thesis on declining uptake of MFL in schools. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/teac...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
Teachers' view of attitudes to MFL in schools
In my last post, I wrote that I would give you a summary of what Robert Sakhrani found out from his interviews with teachers in the four sc...
001
Reposted by Steve Smith
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
New today. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/how-...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
How pupils view languages at school
An anonymous poster on Facebook recently shared a PhD thesis carried out by Robert Sakhrani. The title is "Exploring the decline in uptake ...
102
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
We saw this the other day at Trafalgar Square. Very impressive.
At Trafalgar Square. The 4th plinth statue of a black woman in a blue dress.
010
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Fact Finders! A nifty task similar to running dictation. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/fact...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
001
Reposted by Steve Smith
Association for Language Learning @all-languages.org.uk · 24/09/2026
New school year - Join the Association for Language Learning and connect with a supportive network of language professionals. Use BACKTOSCHOOL10 Join ALL: www.all-languages.org.uk/join/become-... See what our members say: ALL testimonials: www.all-languages.org.uk/join/member-... #ALL4Languages
201
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
New today. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/how-...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
How pupils view languages at school
An anonymous poster on Facebook recently shared a PhD thesis carried out by Robert Sakhrani. The title is "Exploring the decline in uptake ...
102
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I welcome this. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
theguardian.com
Pupils to be offered vocational GCSEs in radical shake-up of system in England
Courses such as finance and construction form part of PM’s push for education ‘that offers a path for everybody’
000
Reposted by Steve Smith
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New from me. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/quic...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
Quick review: Geoff Jordan’s 30 Key Concepts in Second Language acquisition
Geoff Jordan is well known to some as an acerbic commentator on English Language Teaching (ELT) methodology. His blogs are well-informed an...
033
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New from me. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/quic...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
Quick review: Geoff Jordan’s 30 Key Concepts in Second Language acquisition
Geoff Jordan is well known to some as an acerbic commentator on English Language Teaching (ELT) methodology. His blogs are well-informed an...
033
Reposted by Steve Smith
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
French teachers: all you need to know about my new lesson plans book. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/08/my-n...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
002
Reposted by Steve Smith
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
New from me. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/new-...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
New A-level slide decks on frenchteacher
In recent months I've been using ChatGPT a good deal to speed up my resource writing. Up to now, I haven't used it much at all for producin...
001
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
New from me. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/new-...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
New A-level slide decks on frenchteacher
In recent months I've been using ChatGPT a good deal to speed up my resource writing. Up to now, I haven't used it much at all for producin...
001
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
French teachers: all you need to know about my new lesson plans book. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/08/my-n...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
002
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The latest from London HQ. I addrd a nice video listening resource this morning. About teenage curfews in France. Roughly 15 towns have them. www.frenchteacher.net/latest/
frenchteacher.net
Archives: Updates | frenchteacher.net
Description.
011
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Watching Silo season 3 on Apple. So slow and padded.
000
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I really enjoyed the De Gaulle film. Just what you would expect from the role: pompous, intransigent, slightly ridiculous and yet inspiring.
031
Reposted by Steve Smith
Sam Strickland @strickomaster.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
My new book Behaving and Belonging has been released. A great read for anyone in education. Get your copy here amzn.eu/d/01Z6W2Q7
162
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Despite what the article says, our experience is that it is possible for villages to have a social life without a café. There are village halls, ‘fêtes des voisins” and other events. www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
theguardian.com
The battle to save the dying heart of rural France: the village bistro
Once central to rural life, cafe-bistros are closing in the face of depopulation and falling alcohol consumption, but campaigners are seeking new ways forward
131
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
From earlier this year. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/05/inte...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
Intensive input-output work
In my keynote talk to teachers at the NSW Department of Education French Teachers’ Conference in Parramatta (western Sydney) last week I men...
001
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
If you are in London go to the Amish Kapoor exhibition at the Haywood Gallery.
110
Reposted by Steve Smith
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
My latest post. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/what...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
What does it mean to teach communicatively?
It seems a bit odd to me that in 2026 the case still has to be made for Communicative Language Teaching, but here I am making that case! I...
102
Reposted by Steve Smith
Victoria Derbyshire @vicderbyshire.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Reform UK has received a £36m donation from a British cryptocurrency billionaire called Ben Delo Last year Delo was given an unconditional pardon by President Trump over a breach of anti-money laundering laws at his crypto trading platform, BitMEX, to which he had pleaded guilty in 2022
47286157
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
My latest post. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/09/what...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
What does it mean to teach communicatively?
It seems a bit odd to me that in 2026 the case still has to be made for Communicative Language Teaching, but here I am making that case! I...
102
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Parallel texts not identical, it seems. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Reform UK says migrant deal was ratified by far-right National Rally president
Agreement between Nigel Farage and Jordan Bardella to return migrants to France faces backlash, with critics saying it goes against France’s ‘interests and sovereignty’
100
Reposted by Steve Smith
Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
"It is hard not to draw the conclusion that the police and Home Office seem to be incapable of an appropriate response to the threat of far-right activity and violence."
nicklowles.substack.com
Did Kent Police ignore a 999 call?
Contrary to their public statement, HOPE not hate can exclusively reveal that Kent Police were tipped off about the Patriot Platform mobilisation – and seemingly did not act on the information.
26711282
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I liked this piece. www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
theguardian.com
Friedrich Merz is now on borrowed time. But that’s not why the AfD’s triumph is seismic | Jörg Lau
The anti-fascist consensus about our Nazi past is fundamental to German democracy. But that, shockingly, is being shattered, says Jörg Lau, an international correspondent for the German weekly Die Zei...
001
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I share this every year and I know teachers have found it useful. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2013/09/euro...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
European Day of Languages assembly talk
I did this assembly talk a few years ago. Feel free to use it or adapt it. Today is officially the European Day of Languages. H...
000
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
In case you missed this. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/08/my-n...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
My new book is out!
Well this is jolly exciting! My new book called Let's Get Them Talking: 50 Communicative French Lessons is now available . The last three we...
011
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Good piece. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The people of France are in an extraordinary funk about their future – here’s why | Paul Taylor
The race to succeed Emmanuel Macron is looming, but rarely has the mood been so gloomy or the lure of extremist solutions so alarming, says Paul Taylor, of the European Policy Centre
000
Reposted by Steve Smith
Mr E @theniceman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Oxford A Level Spanish grammar and translation workbook I wrote! Don't buy both versions. They are almost identical inside. global.oup.com/education/pr...
global.oup.com
002
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Nice here. Two more days in Charente Maritime then back to London.
La tour St Nicolas à La Rochelle.
030
Reposted by Steve Smith
Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Fuck you Google. We will all remember your capitulation to a mad king
296140153199
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
The Facebook page I run with Gianfranco Conti. We share links to our blogs and occasionally other stuff. www.facebook.com/thelanguaget...
facebook.com
Facebook
011
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
A new post from me. A task to get them listening and talking in French! frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/08/here...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
000
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Available now. amzn.eu/d/0gQkH2sW
amzn.eu
Let's Get Them Talking!: 50 Communicative French Lessons
Buy Let's Get Them Talking!: 50 Communicative French Lessons by Smith, Mr Steve Paul (ISBN: 9798192650981) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
000
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Good news.
020
Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
It’s here. amzn.eu/d/02WAszyS
amzn.eu
Let's Get Them Talking!: 50 Communicative French Lessons : Smith, Mr Steve Paul: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Buy Let's Get Them Talking!: 50 Communicative French Lessons by Smith, Mr Steve Paul (ISBN: 9798192650981) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
022