When French children could drink wine at school

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Elementary A2

PDF: When French children could drink wine at school
YouTube: When French children could drink wine at school

Warm-up

What did you use to drink at school when you were a child? (I used to drink...)

Vocabulary Match

believed -   - permitted
legal -   - thought
encouraged -   - approval
allowed -   - promoted
slogans -   - catchphrases
permission -   - lawful

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

In the past, French children were ________ to drink wine at school. This might sound surprising, but it was normal in France until 1956. Back then, many people ________ that wine was good for health. Parents even packed wine in their children's lunch boxes. In some places, if schools didn't allow wine, parents gave their children wine at breakfast before school.

However, in 1956, things began to change. The government said that children under 14 years old could not drink wine at school. Older children could, but only a little and with their parents' ________. In 1981, all schools in France stopped allowing any alcohol. Instead, they ________ children to drink milk. They used ________ like "To be strong, drink milk!" Today, the ________ age to drink alcohol in France is 18 years. Drinking wine is still a big part of French culture, but not for young school children.

Quiz

  1. What was normal in France until 1956?
  2. What changed in 1956?
  3. How did schools promote milk?
  4. What is the legal drinking age in France today?

True or False

  1. French children used to drink wine at school until 1956.  T  |  F
  2. Parents used to pack bottles of wine in their children's school bags.  T  |  F
  3. Schools used slogans like "To be sober, drink milk!"  T  |  F

Conversation

A: Hugo, do you prefer red or white wine?
B: Hmm, teacher, I actually like rosé better.
A: Oh? Do you have a favorite kind?
B: I enjoy "La Vieille Ferme" after a game of rugby.
A: I'm impressed! Not every child knows their wines so well.
B: Thanks, I hope to be big and strong someday!

Key Phrase

  1. Not every child knows their wines so well.
  2. Not every student understands math so easily.
  3. Not everyone can touch their toes like that.
  4. Not everybody can run so fast.
  5. Not everyone can dance like you.
  6. Not every chef can burn toast so perfectly.
  7. Not everyone can forget names as quickly as I do.

Discussion

  1. Do you agree with your country's drinking laws?
  2. Do you drink alcohol? If so, what drinks do you like?
  3. Is there anything you did at school which children can't do these days?

True Story Answers

In the past, French children were allowed to drink wine at school. This might sound surprising, but it was normal in France until 1956. Back then, many people believed that wine was good for health. Parents even packed wine in their children's lunch boxes. In some places, if schools didn't allow wine, parents gave their children wine at breakfast before school.

However, in 1956, things began to change. The government said that children under 14 years old could not drink wine at school. Older children could, but only a little and with their parents' permission. In 1981, all schools in France stopped allowing any alcohol. Instead, they encouraged children to drink milk. They used slogans like "To be strong, drink milk!" Today, the legal age to drink alcohol in France is 18 years. Drinking wine is still a big part of French culture, but not for young school children.

Vocabulary Answers

allowed → permitted
believed → thought
permission → approval
encouraged → promoted
slogans → catchphrases
legal → lawful

Quiz Answers

  1. French children were allowed to drink wine at school in the past.
  2. In 1956, the government said that children under 14 years old could not drink wine at school.
  3. They used slogans like "To be strong, drink milk!"
  4. The legal drinking age in France today is 18 years.

True or False Answers

  1. True
  2. False
  3. False

Discussion Answers (examples)

  1. Yes. In Japan, you can't drink alcohol until you're 20. I think that's sensible.
  2. Sometimes. I like to drink hot Japanese sake when the weather gets cold.
  3. Well, when I was younger, you had to eat everything they gave you, but not anymore.

Further Reading

https://www.aveine.paris/blog/en/when-children-could-drink-wine-at-school-in-france/

More "True Story" Lessons

ESL Lessons: True Stories