1. Text Messages (Texto)

A text message is a short written message from one person to another. In French, we call it "un texto" or "un message".

Important words:

• expéditeur = the person who sends the message
• destinataire = the person who receives the message

2. Instructions (Consignes)

Instructions tell someone what to do. In French, we use the imperative form of verbs. For example:

• Entrez en classe ! = Come into the classroom!
• Levez-vous ! = Stand up!
• Répondez vite ! = Answer quickly!

3. Announcements

Announcements are messages that give information to many people, like signs or notices.

Follow these steps:

1. Read the whole message carefully – do not rush!
2. Look for key words – find names, places, times, and important actions
3. Ask yourself – Who is speaking? To whom? What is happening? When? Where?
4. Check the type of message – Is it a text, an instruction, or an announcement?

Look at this text message from the textbook:

Salut Fatou ! Tu peux venir à la fête de mon anniversaire chez moi le samedi prochain ? Ça commence de seize heures jusqu'à dix-huit heures. Réponds-moi vite. Mauna

Now answer these questions:

(a) Who writes the letter? The sender is Mauna.

(b) Who is she writing to? She is writing to Fatou.

(c) Why is she writing the letter? She is inviting Fatou to her birthday party.

Look at this message from the textbook:

Bonjour monsieur, Excusez-moi, Zawadi ne se sent pas bien. Elle ne peut pas venir à l'école aujourd'hui. Nous sommes chez le dentiste. Son Père

Answer these questions:

(a) Who writes this message? The father of Zawadi writes this message.

(b) Why is he writing this message? He is informing the school that Zawadi is sick and cannot come to school today.

(c) Who is this message for? This message is for the teacher (madame/monsieur).

When we read messages, we often see "pouvoir" - the verb meaning "can" or "may".

• Tu peux... ? = Can you...?
• Je peux... = I can... / May I...?
• Réponds-moi vite = Reply to me quickly
• C'est à quelle heure ? = At what time is it?
• Oui avec plaisir = Yes, with pleasure

1. Read every day – Practice reading French words every day, even for a few minutes.
2. Look for familiar words – Find words you already know and use them to understand the whole message.
3. Ask questions – When you read, always ask: Who? What? When? Where? Why?
4. Practice with friends – Ask your classmate to write a short message and you read it together.

In Tanzania, you can use these reading skills in many real situations. For example, when you receive a text message (SMS) from a friend in French saying "Tu peux m'appeler ?" (Can you call me?), you will understand that they want you to phone them. You can also read simple instructions on school notice boards or understand birthday party invitations from friends who write in French. These skills help you communicate with French-speaking friends and understand messages from French-speaking countries.