AP French

NEW PROVIDENCE HIGH SCHOOL NEW PROVIDENCE, NEW JERSEY

ADVANCED PLACEMENT FRENCH LANGUAGE

PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

Attendance • A student enrolled in this course is expected to be present at least 90% of the days the class is in session.

Achievement .• A student must maintain a B-or better average for the four marking periods and the midterm and final examinations.

• Marking period grades will be determined by test, participation, class-work and assigrunents based on the objectives of this course.

• The student must devote approximately one half hour of study at home for each session. The student must participate in class using the foreign language.

OBJECTIVES • The basic objective of learning a world language is to learn to communicate, i.e. to transmit information effectively through speech, writing, gestures, behavior, or a combination of these.

After completing Advanced Placement French Language students will be able to:

• comprehend sustained conversations in French

• communicate in writing with increasing logic and accuracy

• initiate and sustain conversations with increasing linguistic accuracy

• demonstrate an understanding of the cultures of the French-speaking world

In order to develop these skills, students will use a variety of resources and technologies and will focus on the four basic skill areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. In addition, they will develop an understanding of the interrelationship between culture and language.

Listening: Students will

1. Understand a sustained conversation on a number of familiar topics.

2. Comprehend fluent speakers in everyday situations.

3. Respond appropriately to auditory cues provided on tape or in class

Speaking: Students will

1. Communicate and interact orally in a limited range of task-oriented and social situations.

2. Engage in extended conversations based on previously practiced material.

3. Demonstrate ability to sustain conversations using a variety of time frames and moods.

Reading: Students will

1. Understand the essential elements of materials on varied topics produced for the native speaker (e. g., conversations, announcements, advertisements, descriptions, and directions).

2. Understand main ideas and details from selected examples of authentic literature.

3. Use advanced reading strategies to comprehend a variety of texts on a wide array of topics

Writing: Students will

1. Compose a variety of connected texts, such as letters, summaries, descriptions, and narratives, for different audiences and purposes.

2. Organize ideas in order to discuss a problem, express an opinion, and come to a conclusion.

3. Create idiomatically comprehensible texts using vocabulary, syntax, and structures appropriate to French.

Culture: Students will

1. Compare and contrast attitudes and values of the Francophone culture with the American culture.

2. Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of the achievements of the Francophone culture and literature, science, fine and performing arts, recreation, intellectual pursuits, etc.

3. Expand knowledge of major figures and historical events as related to curricular topics.