Activity Overview
The ability to purchase food and eat in a restaurant is an essential skill for interacting in a foreign country. Beginner students of French will need to know the important phrases for ordering food politely and paying for it appropriately. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that practices dialogue various dining scenarios. The storyboards should include a character who orders food in a restaurant, interacts with a server politely, and asks the final price before leaving.
To encourage oral practice, conclude by having students present their scenes to the class, reading the French dialogue aloud. French pronunciation can be difficult for beginners, and this is a great way for students to take ownership of their practice.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard at least three cells long in which a character orders food, interacts with a server, and asks the price. Be prepared to read your scene aloud!
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Create a scenario with a character in a restaurant using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Add dialogue to your scenario. Be sure to include the ordering of food, polite conversation with the server, and the price.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Excellent 5 Points | Satisfaisant 3 Points | Insuffisant 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appropriate phrases for ordering food, interacting with the server, and paying the bill | |||
| Appropriate scenarios for each expression | |||
| Correct spelling and accent marks |
Activity Overview
The ability to purchase food and eat in a restaurant is an essential skill for interacting in a foreign country. Beginner students of French will need to know the important phrases for ordering food politely and paying for it appropriately. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that practices dialogue various dining scenarios. The storyboards should include a character who orders food in a restaurant, interacts with a server politely, and asks the final price before leaving.
To encourage oral practice, conclude by having students present their scenes to the class, reading the French dialogue aloud. French pronunciation can be difficult for beginners, and this is a great way for students to take ownership of their practice.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard at least three cells long in which a character orders food, interacts with a server, and asks the price. Be prepared to read your scene aloud!
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Create a scenario with a character in a restaurant using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Add dialogue to your scenario. Be sure to include the ordering of food, polite conversation with the server, and the price.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Excellent 5 Points | Satisfaisant 3 Points | Insuffisant 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appropriate phrases for ordering food, interacting with the server, and paying the bill | |||
| Appropriate scenarios for each expression | |||
| Correct spelling and accent marks |
How Tos about Practicing Ordering Food in French
Model French restaurant role-plays with your class
Set up a mock restaurant in your classroom using desks or tables as 'cafés' and assign roles such as server and customer. This makes French food ordering fun and practical for students learning new vocabulary.
Prepare and distribute French menu templates
Hand out simple, student-friendly French menus listing common foods and prices so students can practice authentic ordering. Menus help reinforce food vocabulary and polite phrases.
Guide students to practice polite greetings and responses
Coach students to use polite expressions like “Bonjour”, “S’il vous plaît”, and “Merci” in their role-plays. Politeness is central to real-life interactions and boosts cultural understanding.
Rotate roles to ensure every student practices speaking
Switch roles after each round so every student tries being both customer and server. This builds confidence and ensures all students participate actively.
Debrief as a class and give positive feedback
Discuss what went well and highlight strong use of French. Offer encouragement and correct common mistakes gently so students feel supported and proud of their progress.
Frequently Asked Questions about Practicing Ordering Food in French
What are some simple French phrases for ordering food in a restaurant?
Common French phrases for ordering food include: Je voudrais... (I would like...), L’addition, s’il vous plaît (The bill, please), and Combien ça coûte? (How much does it cost?). Practicing these helps students interact politely in French dining settings.
How can K-12 teachers help students practice French restaurant dialogues in class?
Teachers can have students create storyboards featuring restaurant scenarios, assign roles as customers and servers, and encourage students to read their dialogues aloud for pronunciation practice and confidence building.
What is a fun classroom activity for practicing ordering food in French?
A great activity is to have students design and act out a storyboard where they order food, interact with a server, and ask for the price, then present their scenes to the class using French dialogue.
Why is it important for beginners to practice French pronunciation when ordering food?
French pronunciation can be challenging for beginners. Practicing out loud helps build confidence, ensures correct communication, and makes real-life interactions in restaurants smoother.
What should be included in a beginner French restaurant dialogue for students?
A beginner French restaurant dialogue should include ordering food politely, exchanging pleasantries with the server, and asking for the price or the bill before leaving.
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