Here’s a simple idea that really works for improving speaking skills. Print out some cards (or get pupils to make their own) with phrases you want them to use. Pick a topic, for example Year 10 are doing a debate about “le mariage – c’est important?” Thé idea is in the allotted time they must “shoehorn” as many of their cards into the debate as possible. The cards say things like “je dirais que” “d’une part…” Cue much laughter and quality French speaking going on – bonus is they won’t forget these “fillers” when writing and speaking later on…