So today I just started clapping the word instead of saying it. In my mind, it counts as a repetition, even I am just clapping it. Why am I clapping it? I think because it catches the attention of the mind.
Thus, if I just got about 20 reps on a envoyé – sent – then on the 21st rep I would say the sentence but suddenly leave out the word and clap three times for each sound/syllable in the participle “sent” in French. I wouldn’t work the helping verb “a’ into the clapping.
And then sometimes I would say it in French fast and then repeat the same sentence but clap the word as I said the sentence again. If I said “envoyé” fast I would clap fast, at the same rate I said the word. If I said the three syllables slowly, I would clap them slowly. It seemed to make a difference.
It just felt very effective. The kids really seemed to be glommed on to the process, but I’m sure I don’t know why.