Back to School in French Class: 4 Activities to Start the Year Right

The first week of school sets the tone, and in French class, it’s the perfect time to build community, boost confidence, and get students using the language right away (without overwhelming them).

Whether you’re teaching novice learners or advanced students, I’ve found that back-to-school is less about grammar drills and more about connection: students getting to know each other, getting used to hearing French, and remembering that class can be fun and low-pressure.

Here are my favorite go-to activities for the first few days. They are all designed to get your students engaged, moving, and speaking in French from day one. The best part? They’re low-prep and ready to use.

📱 1. All About Me Phone Edition

This one is always a hit. Students "customize" a French phone screen with their personality, preferences, and interests in French. It is the perfect creative icebreaker that also gives you insight into what your students love.👉 Grab it here

🤝 2 Find Someone Who (Intermediate + Novice Editions)

One of the best movement + speaking combos. Students walk around the room asking each other simple questions in French. I have a novice version with basic structures and visuals, and a more open-ended one for intermediate/advanced learners.

👉 Novice version | Intermediate version

👕 3. Je me Présente T-Shirt Edition

Students design a “French T-shirt” to present themselves visually and linguistically. Fun, colorful, and great for hallway or bulletin board displays!👉 Check it out

❓ 4. Ceci ou Cela ?

Perfect for pair or class discussion, this fun game gets students making quick decisions and explaining their preferences in French. Bonus: works at any level.👉 Get the activity

The first week isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection, routine, and buy-in. The earlier students feel confident using French, the more successful they’ll be all year. Every activity I create is designed to make your life easier while helping students feel like French is relevant, real, and even fun. 😉

👉 See all 350+ French resources here and get ready for your best back-to-school season yet!

Bon courage,

Sandrine