{"id":1982,"date":"2025-02-03T17:01:12","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T01:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/langlabbies\/?p=1982"},"modified":"2025-02-05T19:17:04","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T03:17:04","slug":"master-the-azerty-keyboard-with-french-typing-tests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/langlabbies\/2025\/02\/03\/master-the-azerty-keyboard-with-french-typing-tests\/","title":{"rendered":"Master the AZERTY keyboard with French typing tests!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the first things I did while taking French 110 (now 111\/112) was add a French keyboard to my laptop and phone. What I didn\u2019t know as a beginning French student was that even the French keyboard layout is different!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Layout<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This layout is called AZERTY, with all the additional French characters (ex. \u00e7, \u00e9, and \u00e0) arranged on number and symbol keys. It also swaps the positions of Q\/A, W\/Z, and M, which actually helps you type in French faster, believe it or not! As you advance in French, improving your typing (\u201cla dactylographie\u201d) skills will make a difference in typing emails, essays, and texts. Here are two typing practice recommendations to boost your AZERTY typing skills!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. AgileFingers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
AgileFingers “Exemple de texte” mode<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

AgileFingers has two modes, \u201cExemple de texte\u201d (example text) and \u201cJeux\u201d (games). “Exemple de texte” mode simply displays an excerpt of a work of French literature with an on-screen AZERTY keyboard. It\u2019s helpful to practice reading the texts as you type, as well! “Jeux” mode has step-by-step levels for beginners to get comfortable with the AZERTY layout and keys. These games focus on words rather than a large text, so this is helpful to learn new vocabulary!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
AgileFingers “Jeux” mode<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. TypeRacer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
TypeRacer “Typing Race” mode<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

TypeRacer is a typing game that lets you race against other players as you practice typing in French. Like AgileFingers, the shorter texts are taken from works of French literature. Race against your friends and try to get the highest typing speed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonus tips!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n