No Time for French? Quick, Stress-Free Ways to Teach French This Month

You meant to do French consistently all month, but here you are, trying to fit it all into one class.
Sound familiar? 😬

You’re definitely not alone. Teaching French—especially when you’re not fluent—can feel like one more thing on your already-packed list. And when May rolls around, let’s be honest… things get busy. End-of-year projects, field trips, report cards—it’s a lot.

But here’s the good news: French doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. Even if you didn’t get to it as much as you planned, there are still easy ways to fit in meaningful, hands-on French learning without the overwhelm.

1. Choose Activities That Do Double Duty

When time is short, go for activities that check more than one box.
Think:

Building fine motor skills and practicing vocabulary
Reviewing words and moving their bodies
Having fun and actually remembering what they learned

Some of my go-to options:

Beading cards (great for letter formation + vocab practice)
Stamping activities (hello, sensory seekers!)
Pompom word mats (fine motor fun with French flair)
Write-the-room or scavenger hunts (get them moving while learning)

These activities feel like play, but they’re secretly packed with learning.

2. Keep It Simple—for You and Your Students

You don’t need to be fluent to teach French well.
Really.

Every activity I create comes with English instructions, pronunciation guides, and visuals to make things easier for you and your students. You can confidently introduce new words, lead activities, and answer student questions—even if French isn’t your strong suit.

No stress. No guesswork. Just practical, no-fluff resources that work.

3. Lean into Repetition (Without It Feeling Repetitive)

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Using the same vocabulary in a few different ways helps students actually remember what they’ve learned.

Here’s an easy structure for a quick French “catch-up” week:

Day 1: Introduce/review key vocab with cards or visuals
Day 2: Do a movement-based game or scavenger hunt
Day 3: Add a fine motor or sensory task (like beading, stamping, or pompom sorting)
Day 4: Try a simple writing or matching activity
Day 5: Let them create something to show what they know (like drawing their favorite words or making a mini book)

Repetition through variety makes a big difference—especially when it’s hands-on and fun.

4. Focus on Connection, Not Perfection

Even if your French lessons weren’t consistent all month, you can still end on a high note. French doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. When kids are smiling, trying out new words, and feeling proud of what they’ve done—that’s what matters.

You’re planting seeds. And they’ll remember the feeling of loving French way more than a perfectly planned lesson.