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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.

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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 8h
I’m glad you like it. Thx.
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
My latest post. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/10/new-...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
New grammar booklets on frenchteacher
Just to make you aware, whether your are already a subscriber, or a potential one (!), that I have been adding loads of new resources to my...
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
New from me. frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/2026/10/new-...
frenchteachernet.blogspot.com
New grammar booklets on frenchteacher
Just to make you aware, whether your are already a subscriber, or a potential one (!), that I have been adding loads of new resources to my...
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Reposted by Steve Smith
Agence France-Presse @afp.com · 02/10/2026
🇫🇷 Le média d'investigation Mediapart a publié des éléments d'authentification, via la maison-mère de Facebook, Meta, et un huissier, des messages antisémites datant de 2013 attribués au président du RN Jordan Bardella, dont ce dernier a de nouveau démenti être l'auteur ⤵️
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If I had to choose between Mélenchon and Le Pen? I hate to say it, but possibly Le Pen. Many would just abstain. Hopefully the French don’t get that choice. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Jean-Luc Mélenchon will win young French voters – until they realise the size of his Russia blind spot | Alexander Hurst
La France Insoumise gives voice to the left-behind, and progressives approve. But many recoil from a leftwing leader whose foreign policy is stuck in 1985, says Guardian Europe columnist Alexander Hur...
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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...
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Reposted by Steve Smith
franceinfo @franceinfo.fr · 30/09/2026
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 ?
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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
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Thanks for the suggestion. I am waiting for the whole series on iPlayer so I can have a proper binge.
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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.
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Thank you, sir!
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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
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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.
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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
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Yes. www.amazon.co.uk/New-GCSE-Spa...
amazon.co.uk
A New GCSE Spanish Workbook: Part One (Sentence Builder): Amazon.co.uk: Conti, Dr Gianfranco, Viñales, Mr Dylan, Casar, Ms Ana del, Głowacka, Ms Inés: 9783911386111: Books
Buy A New GCSE Spanish Workbook: Part One (Sentence Builder) by Conti, Dr Gianfranco, Viñales, Mr Dylan, Casar, Ms Ana del, Głowacka, Ms Inés (ISBN: 9783911386111) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday l...
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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%
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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...
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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...
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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
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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...
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
You're welcome.
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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 ...
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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.
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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
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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
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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 ...
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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’
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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...
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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.
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Watching Silo season 3 on Apple. So slow and padded.
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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.
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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
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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
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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...
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
That Ofsted slide was so off the mark. Totally at odds with research.
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I meant Anish. Sorry.
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
If you are in London go to the Amish Kapoor exhibition at the Haywood Gallery.
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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...
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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
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Steve Smith @spsmith45.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I think the added sparkle can come with an info gap, a game or some sort of twist to make it enjoyable and memorable.
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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...
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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’
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