Syllabus French I
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
French 1 focuses on introducing basic language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) and grammar. Main aspects of French culture are introduced to allow students to acquire an appreciation of the customs, traditions and expressions of the French speaking world. By introducing the French language through culture, (history, art, traditions, news, etc).
II. OBJECTIVES
Advance to Intermediate Low or Novice High on ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency guidelines for written and spoken French.
Communicate in the target language. Give directions, ask and answer questions and provide information.
Speak with understandable pronunciation and syntax within the limits of your vocabulary and grammar.
Write for communication using clear, grammatically correct sentences.
Listen and read for comprehension within the limits of your vocabulary.
Broaden cultural background by studying/ researching and presenting information about the products and practices of French countries.
Use the information acquired from the study of world language to make connections with other disciplines.
Seek to compare new information about language and culture to your own culture in order to look for similarities and differences.
Make world language part of the community by using it within the school on a daily basis (in class) and outside of school for personal fulfillment (films, short stories, current events, travel etc.).
***Note: In French I, students are learning French vocabulary, grammar, and culture in context mainly through authentic resources. Reading and hearing stories crafted especially for the novice learners not only provides characters and a plot, but also the feeling of accomplishment once the story has been read or heard and understood. Students will also listen to podcasts, French news, and watch movies and videos.
III. MATERIALS
Text:
Voces Privacy Policies; Notre Histoire 1 & Voix du Monde 1
READING: -Possible Reading may include
Notre Histoire 1 by Voces
Voix du Monde 1 by Voces
La Nouvelle Fille by Jennifer Degenhardt
Brandon Brown à la conquête de Québec by Lynnette St. George
Les Chaussettes de Tito by Theresa Marrama
Articles
LISTENING/ WATCHING: -Possible movies, series, and short films
Disney movies in target language, French cultural discovery videos, Tintin, la Guerre des Tuques, Asterix et Obelix contre César, My life as a Zucchini, Paris the experience, Quebec the Experience, April and the Extraordinary world, Les châteaux de la Loire, Versailles, Le Mont Saint-Michel, France, Best of Europe, Passport to Europe, La gloire de mon père, Les choristes, etc.
Youtube videos
Videos and Podcast from Voces
IV. CONTENT***
A. GRAMMAR: -Possible grammar points to learn may include
French Alphabet
French Accent Marks
Formal and Informal Registers
Articles
- definite, indefinite, partitive
Connectors
- et and mais
Nouns
- singular, plural, masculine, feminine
Adjectives
- agreement, placement, regular and irregular forms
- demonstrative adjectives
- interrogative adjectives
- possessive adjectives
- used as nouns
Prepositions
- à and en
- à and de
Verbs
- present tense of ER/ RE/ IR verbs
- aller, avoir, être, faire
- other irregular verbs such as: prendre, vouloir, pouvoir, mettre, porter
- near future- aller+infinitive
- verb + infinitive
- imperative
- an introduction to the past tense- passé composé with the auxiliary avoir
- an introduction to the passé composé with the auxiliary être
Possession
- with de/ or possessive adjectives
Contractions
- with à or de
Negation
- ne…pas
- using si instead of oui to contradict a negative statement
- de after a negative verb
Asking questions
- questions formation
- information questions
The comparative
Pronouns
- subject, object, stressed, direct object
- pronouns y and en
Adverbs
- of frequency
- placement of adverbs with the passé compose
Expressions with
- faire and jouer
- avoir besoin de…
B. VOCABULARY : -Mostly taken from readings and may include
Vocabulary from novels, short stories, etc.
Vocabulary from Voces; Notre Histoire 1 & Voix du Monde 1
Idiomatic expressions
Practical expressions
Useful expressions
Words of transitions
Vocabulary related to authentic sources when reading and listening
OTHER Topics related to themes and contexts such as:
French names/ Numbers 0-1000/ French classroom expressions/ Greetings
Things you like or don’t like/ Activities you like or don’t like to do
School subjects/ School-related words/ Class time
Parts of the school day/ School supplies
Things you might buy for school and fun/ Colors
Sports and hobbies/ Weather expressions/ Months/ Days/ Time/ Seasons
Foods and beverages
Places to go/ Things to do
Family members/ Adjectives to describe and characterize people
Food items/ Expressions of quantity/ Meals
Daily activities
Shopping
Clothing and accessories
Etc.
C. CULTURE: -Possible topics may include
Francophone culture through themes such as; Global Challenges, Science and Technology, Contemporary Life, Personal and Public Identities, Families and Communities, and Beauty and Aesthetics
Francophone culture through contexts such as; Diversity Issues, Economic Issues, Environmental Issues, Health Issues, Human Rights, Nutrition and Food Safety, Peace and War, Discoveries and Inventions, Ethical Questions, Future Technologies, Intellectual Property, The New Media, Social Impact of Technology, Advertising and Marketing, Education, Holidays and Celebrations, Housing and Shelter, Leisure and Sports, Professions, Rites of Passage, Travel, Alienation and Assimilation, Beliefs and Values, Language and Identity, Multiculturalism, Nationalism and Patriotism, Age and Class, Childhood and Adolescence, Citizenship, Customs and Ceremonies, Family Structures, Friendship and Love, Architecture, Contributions to World Artistic Heritage, Ideals of Beauty, Literature, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, etc.
A review of francophone nations as related to geography, history, literature, art, music, etc.
Current events in Francophone countries
Comparing and contrasting different francophone cultures to student's own culture
***The content is subject to changes.
V. METHODS OF EVALUATION
*Most assignments can be done during class time when the time provided is well managed by student
Class participation
Homework
Study and Review lessons
Reading comprehension activities
Listening comprehension activities
Writing activities
Speaking activities
Pronunciation activities
Worksheets or electronic handouts in Google Classroom
Cultural comparisons
Short essays (one to three paragraphs)
Short stories
Journal entries
Journal reflections
List of vocabulary
Dialogues
Skits
Conversations
Projects
Presentations
Interviews
TicTacToe Choice Board
Bingo
Online Vocabulary Games
Grammar quizzes
Vocabulary quizzes
Reading comprehension quizzes
Listening comprehension quizzes
Pronunciation quizzes
Unit tests
Midterm exam/ Final exam
Etc.
DIGITAL TOOLS expected to be used:
*New and useful Digital Tools might be added to this list as the school year progresses.
Google Classroom
Voces
Voki
Edpuzzle
Quizlet
Quizizz
Audacity
Conjuguemos
Kami
Screencastify
Youtube
Blooket
The Boom Learning
Kahoot
Voces
Gimkit
Language Guide
ONLINE RESOURCES: USEFUL WEBSITES and YOUTUBE VIDEOS
-Here are some examples of resources possibly used in class.
Grammar
Apprendre le français avec Lingolia: Grammaire et Vocabulaire
L’indicatif: présent, passé composé, imparfait, future proche et simple, etc.
Passé Composé with AVOIR & with ÊTRE
Quand j’étais petit je voulais être…
Quand j'étais petite- Imparfait
Elise et sa routine quotidienne
Podcast/Radio, Series, and Cartoon
La semaine de la presse à l'école
RFI Savoirs: Les clés pour comprendre le monde en français
News
Je suis francophone (Facebook)
TV5Monde- 7 jours sur la Planète
TV5Monde- Destination Francophonie
Planète Éducation- Apprendre le français avec l'Inspecteur Roger Duflair
French Together- French Youtubers
Vocabulary and Expressions
La Dépêche- 600 mots quotidiens
Audiobooks
Commun Français- Audio livres en français
Music; dance, songs, etc.
French songs playlist; relax/chill
Sous le vent- Céline Dion & Garou
La Famille Bélier - Je vole (Louane)
LES COWBOYS FRINGANTS - L'Amérique pleure
La Compagnie Créole - Ça fait rire les oiseaux
"In our old homes" - Quebecois Traditional Folklore Song
La Marseillaise- from La vie en rose
Musique de Noël en Français 2021 avec paroles/Lyrics - Compilation des meilleurs chansons de Noël
Others
Histoire de la Langue Française Documentary
France Geography/French Regions (song in English)
VI. GENERAL CLASSROOM INFORMATION
NOTEBOOK: A three ring binder with loose sheets best suited to this class. This binder should be brought to class daily. It will be an essential tool for the students, as it will contain class notes, vocabulary, handouts, assignments, homework, etc.
QUIZZES: Quizzes will be given frequently (often once or twice a week) as a regular check for learning. These quizzes may or may not be announced in advance. The students should review the material covered in class on a daily basis.
HOMEWORK: Homework is to be handed in on time on the day it is due. If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to ask for the missing homework assignment. Students should study and review vocabulary and grammar daily. Most of the time, I assigne homework/ study material daily as a way to review the lessons learned in class . Depending on the student's ability, level of French, and on the work assigned, homework completion could take an estimate of 10 to 40 minutes per session.
TEXTBOOKS: If a student textbook/ reader is issued, it should be brought to class every day, it must be covered at all times. When issued, all students receive a numbered textbook/ reader and the student must return the textbook/ reader assigned to them at the end of the year.
ASSIGNMENTS: Take pride in your work and only hand in assignments to the teacher that you are proud of. Papers should be neat, legible, double-spaced and on a clean sheet of paper.
COMMUNICATION: Communication by students is to be in the target language whenever possible.
TURNITIN- Please note that many teachers will be using software to check students' work for potential plagiarism or improper citations. For further information see: http://turnitin.com/
Note on instruction material:
The instructional materials used at Hollis Brookline High School represent a broad range of knowledge, viewpoints, and experiences as well as a diversity of religious, ethnic, and cultural groups. Materials support curricular goals, stimulate academic growth, and provide students an opportunity to practice critical analysis while developing the ability to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives. We recognize that at times students and parents may object to some instructional material. If a parent wishes to have their student exempt from the use of any material, such as a video or novel utilized in a class, they must notify the teacher. It is strongly encouraged that the parent and student meet with the teacher to discuss the alternative material and/or any alternative assignments that coincide with the change in material.
Please note that teachers will be using software to teach proper use of researched information and to check student work for potential plagiarism or improper citations.