Maison (French) – Structured Vocabulary Support
£2.00
A structured vocabulary resource designed to support learners who find French vocabulary harder to retain when words are taught as isolated items to memorise. This resource focuses on the high-frequency French word maison, showing how its meaning developed over time and how it connects to related forms in English, including mansion.
Rather than relying on definition-only teaching, this resource makes meaning more stable by showing how maison grew from earlier ideas of staying, dwelling, and household. Historical information is used as an explanatory tool to support understanding, not as content to be learned or recalled. Learners are not expected to remember dates, language stages, or historical detail.
This resource was designed with dyslexic and neurodivergent learners in mind, particularly those who benefit from explicit structure, reduced verbal load, and visual anchoring. It supports recognition, confidence, and sense-making around vocabulary encountered in lessons or reading. It does not replace practice, repetition, or formal teaching, but can make repeated exposure more effective over time.
The approach is grounded in evidence-based literacy practice and structured language explanation. Meaning is prioritised first, with history used only where it clarifies why the word behaves as it does.
A clear visual timeline showing how maison developed from Latin to Modern French
Parallel reference to the English word mansion to highlight shared origins and semantic change
Simple black-and-white illustrations designed to anchor meaning and reduce verbal explanation
Guidance on how meanings broadened or narrowed over time without requiring memorisation
Best used in short sessions (5–10 minutes), revisited over time. Begin with the modern meaning, use the images to support discussion, and stop before cognitive load increases. An adult guides use and decides when to pause. This resource supports classroom learning and home education but does not replace teaching or practice.
Dyslexic learners studying French
KS3–KS4 pupils who struggle with vocabulary retention
Parents, tutors, and intervention teachers
Learners who benefit from explicit, structured language explanation
Printable PDF
Black-and-white printing fully supported
Laminating optional
© Great Expectations Education
For personal use in home education and tutoring only.
A structured vocabulary resource designed to support learners who find French vocabulary harder to retain when words are taught as isolated items to memorise. This resource focuses on the high-frequency French word maison, showing how its meaning developed over time and how it connects to related forms in English, including mansion.
Rather than relying on definition-only teaching, this resource makes meaning more stable by showing how maison grew from earlier ideas of staying, dwelling, and household. Historical information is used as an explanatory tool to support understanding, not as content to be learned or recalled. Learners are not expected to remember dates, language stages, or historical detail.
This resource was designed with dyslexic and neurodivergent learners in mind, particularly those who benefit from explicit structure, reduced verbal load, and visual anchoring. It supports recognition, confidence, and sense-making around vocabulary encountered in lessons or reading. It does not replace practice, repetition, or formal teaching, but can make repeated exposure more effective over time.
The approach is grounded in evidence-based literacy practice and structured language explanation. Meaning is prioritised first, with history used only where it clarifies why the word behaves as it does.
A clear visual timeline showing how maison developed from Latin to Modern French
Parallel reference to the English word mansion to highlight shared origins and semantic change
Simple black-and-white illustrations designed to anchor meaning and reduce verbal explanation
Guidance on how meanings broadened or narrowed over time without requiring memorisation
Best used in short sessions (5–10 minutes), revisited over time. Begin with the modern meaning, use the images to support discussion, and stop before cognitive load increases. An adult guides use and decides when to pause. This resource supports classroom learning and home education but does not replace teaching or practice.
Dyslexic learners studying French
KS3–KS4 pupils who struggle with vocabulary retention
Parents, tutors, and intervention teachers
Learners who benefit from explicit, structured language explanation
Printable PDF
Black-and-white printing fully supported
Laminating optional
© Great Expectations Education
For personal use in home education and tutoring only.
