Frequently Asked Questions
Have you got questions about Échos, Pearson Canada’s new FSL literacy resource? Look below for answers about how this new resource will support you as a literacy teacher. If you’re looking for updates, please join our Community.
- What is Échos 1-3?
- What is the Échos Literacy Package?
- Does Échos replace my existing core resources in FSL?
- I’m only starting to use literacy tools and strategies in my French as a Second
Language classroom. Will I able to use Échos? - I try to ensure that oral communication is at the centre of my French as a Second Language program of study. How does a literacy resource like Échos support that?
- Are the Échos readers levelled?
- Are there final tasks or projects after exploring the texts?
- I have the Échos e-Book CD-ROM. Can I copy it and lend it to other teachers?
- What are the system requirements to use the Échos e-Book CD-ROM?
- What if I need technical support when using the Échos e-Book CD-ROM?
A: First of all, Échos 1-3 is fun! It is a three-level, high-interest French as a Second Language literacy resource for students in Grade 4-6 (5-7 in B.C.) that provides students with a variety or aural, visual, and written texts designed to be engaging, cognitively challenging and linguistically accessible. Échos helps students to develop language skills and comprehension strategies as they explore, practise, and reflect on their language acquisition. See Overview to find out more.
2. Q: What is the Échos Literacy Package?
A: The Échos Literacy Package includes everything you need to teach one complete level of Échos, all in a weatherproof vinyl carrying case. Purchasing the Literacy Package offers you a 23% savings over purchasing each item individually. What’s more, the e-Book CD-ROM and the carrying case are only available in the Literacy Package – a $300 value for free! See How to Order to order. Each Literacy Package contains:
- Three narrative titles: one of each in Big Book formats and five of each in Small Book format
- One Échos mag Big Book and five Small Books, whose selections link thematically to the narrative texts
- An e-Book CD-ROM (see a demo at Go Digital) with embedded audio recordings of all four of the above titles, where the narrative titles have two options:
- one with text and images
- one with images only
- An Audio CD with recordings of written texts, aural texts and aural activities
- A Teacher’s Guide and CD-ROM containing an Image Bank of the Dictionnaire visuel found at the back of each narrative title as well as Line Masters for activities, graphic organizers, and assessment (see Teacher Support for details).
3. Q: Does Échos replace my existing core resources in FSL?
A: Not yet… currently Échos is a literacy resource that serves to enhance existing core resources. In the future, this Échos literacy resource will become part of a core resource that maintains support for literacy improvement in the French as a Second Language environment as well as allowing you to integrate many more rich language activities that align with provincial curricula. Échos provides you with options: you can continue to use it as a stand alone resource or think of it as part of a bigger resource. If you choose the second option, you’ll already have one part of the core resource to help you budget over time. Join our Community to stay tuned!
For more information on your province’s French as a Second Language curriculum, go to the appropriate government’s education web site. :
- Alberta: Alberta Education
- British Columbia: Ministry of Education
- Manitoba: Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth
- New Brunswick: Department of Education
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Department of Education
- Nova Scotia: Department of Education and Culture
- Nunavut: Department of Education
- Northwest Territories: Department of Education, Culture and Employment
- Ontario: Ministry of Education
- Prince Edward Island: Department of Education
- Québec: Ministère de l'Éducation
- Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Education
- Yukon: Yukon Education
4. Q: I’m only starting to use literacy tools and strategies in my French as a Second Language classroom. Will I be able to use Échos?
A: Absolutely! Échos is more than just fun for teachers and students. The lesson sequences in the Teacher’s Guide offer embedded professional learning to help increase your awareness of effective literacy practices in French as a Second Language. For more information, see Teacher Support or go to the web site for effective literacy practices in FSL: making connections.
5. Q: I try to ensure that oral communication is at the centre of my French as a Second Language program of study. How does a literacy resource like Échos support that?
A: Conveying meaningful ideas orally in French is essential as students interact with you and with others. Various forms of text (aural, visual and written) can provide a powerful context for purposeful oral language in French. Échos is designed to focus on oral language Before, During, and After text exploration. By activating key comprehension strategies through the Gradual Release of Responsibility model, you’ll be able to support, model, and provide opportunities for students to use oral language independently. For details, see Teacher Support.
The Échos e-Book CD-ROM provides numerous opportunities to develop aural and oral communication skills in the Before, During and After stages of text exploration. Visit Go Digital to try the e-Book for yourself.
6. Q: Are the Échos readers levelled?
A: In each level of Échos, the narrative texts are organized according to an increasing level of difficulty related to both language and strategy development. For example, the Échos narrative texts are presented in the following sequence:
- Pauvre Michel! is introductory
- Voici mon école is mid range
- Les superbibittes is late
7. Q: Are there final tasks or projects after exploring the texts?
A: After exploring each narrative text and possibly the accompanying texts in Échos mag, students will able to demonstrate learning through a Response to Text. Through careful scaffolding via the Gradual Release of Responsibility model built into the lesson sequences, students are able to connect new learning to prior learning and to transfer information into a new form.
You'll be able to track students' progress through the Gradual Release of Responsibility towards an independent Response to Text by using the Fiches d'évaluation found on the Teacher’s Guide CD-ROM. These modifiable Line Masters offer you a complete list of suggested assessment for learning opportunities (also found in the Teacher’s Guide at the beginning of each narrative text lesson sequence).
Suggestions for differentiation of the Response to Text, such as the use of technology and adjustments for learning style and level, are found at the end of each lesson in the Teacher's Guide, as well in the section entitled "Planning for Instruction."
See Teacher Support for details.
8. Q: I have the Échos e-Book CD-ROM. Can I copy it and lend it to other teachers?
A: The Échos e-Book CD-ROM is available only in the Échos Literacy Package. As such, the rights to use this component belong solely to a single user and can only be used by the purchasing school. Any exceptions to this shall be at the discretion of Pearson Canada.
9. Q: What are the system requirements to use the Échos e-Book CD-ROM?
A: The e-Book CD-ROM runs on both PCs and Macs. Complete system requirements are available in the e-Book sampler on Go Digital. Look for this symbol 
and then choose System Requirements.
10. Q: What if I need technical support when using the Échos e-Book CD-ROM?
A: If you have questions or need technical assistance, please visit Pearson Customer Technical Support, email, or call 1-800-677-6337. The Product Support Department phone hours are: Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm and Sunday 5:00pm-12:00am (EST).
Our technical support staff will need certain details about your system to effectively assist you. If possible, you should be at your computer when you call for support. You should have the following information ready:
- Product title, ISBN, and publisher
- Operating system (e.g., Win 2000, Win XP, Mac OS X)
- RAM (memory) configuration
- Hard disk space available
- A detailed description of the problem, including exact wording of any error messages