How to study for a dictée
A dictée is a “dictation.” Madame Sluyter will read sentences out loud, and your
job is to write them down correctly. It is a test of your listening ability and of your
spelling ability. This task is very difficult, and it is essential that you prepare by
studying every night.
1. Make sure you know how each word is pronounced. If you aren’t sure, ask
Madame Sluyter or watch and listen to mp3 file on the dictée page of the
www.sluyterkvr.weebly.com
2. Learn the meaning of each word. This will help you during the test,
because the dictée will make sense to you if you know the meaning of
the words. Mme Sluyter always explains the meaning of the words on
Monday. Write the translations down on your dictée words list.
3. Learn the spelling for each word.
Strategy:
 Make flash cards. Use red for the vowels and black for the
consonants. Have someone hold the card for you at eye level.
When you feel you are ready to spell the word, cover the card and
write it or spell it orally. If you make a mistake, start again right
away by looking at the card, don’t keep struggling through it.
Repeat until you have it mastered.

Copy-Cover-Write-Check. Using the target words provided, copy
the word. Cover it. Write the word from memory. Check the spelling.
Repeat until the word is mastered.
4. Learn the conjugation of the verb(s).
Strategy:
 Make up a song, chant or a rap to remember the verb. Pick a song
that you like and change the lyrics to the verb conjugations. Always
conjugate in order: je, tu, il, elle, on, nous, vous, ils, elles. Learn how
to conjugate orally before you focus on the spelling. Perform for
your friends or parents, or even record it for fun and play back.


For the spelling of the verb you can use the flash card strategy.
Alternatively, make a LARGE print poster in your room, to hang on
your ceiling. Or use large sticky notes on the mirror in the bathroom,
beside the computer screen, beside the t.v. screen, or on the back
splash in the kitchen (Any place you may stare at). Take practice
tests every day.
Copy-Cover-Write-Check. Using the target verbs provided, copy
the conjugation. Cover it. Write the verb from memory. Check the
spelling. Repeat until the verb is mastered.