FRENCH IV AP COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Monsieur Kyle Kolacek
E-mail: clinton.kolacek@nisdtx.org
Expected Outside of Class Time: Approximately 2 hours per week
Welcome to AP French IV at Byron Nelson High School. Learning a foreign language is challenging and requires time, effort and concentration; however, it is also fun and it is a skill that will enable you to be competitive in the global economy. I expect you to give 100% of your effort in order to achieve your maximum potential.
Course Description: This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement French Exam. The class is conducted mainly in French and students will complete exercises that reflect and integration of language skills under timed conditions as is expected on the AP Exam. The students will explore history, culture, literature, and current events to communicate both formally and informally with accuracy and fluency. We strive for the French program to go beyond the AP test with an authentic global focus. The district and course expectation is that the student will take the AP French Language and Culture Exam
Course Format: Each grading period will consist of working with the Three Modes of Communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational.
• Interpretive Communication: Print Texts, Print and Audio Texts (combined), Audio Texts
• Interpersonal Writing: E-mail Reply
• Presentational Writing: Persuasive Essay
• Interpersonal Speaking: Conversation
• Presentational Speaking: Cultural Comparison
Authentic materials will be incorporated and pulled from various resources geared towards the following six AP themes:
• Beauty and Aesthetics
• Families and Communities
• Personal and Public Identities
• Contemporary Life
• Global Challenges
• Science and Technology
Grading System:
60% Summative Assessments (exams, essays, mock AP exam sections, oral presentations)
40% Formative Assessments (quizzes, daily assignments, AP practice tasks, oral practice)
Homework: In addition to completing all daily work, students are expected to study their vocabulary and grammar concepts as needed. Students need to practice speaking, listening and reading French (AP level readings) outside of class. There are many free resources online that may be used as supplemental help in addition to television and radio. Practice and repetition are crucial to achieving success in a foreign language course.