Classroom Guidelines

Attendance is required

Learning a language depends on your attendance and participation in class. Participation = listening to the instructor and other students, answering questions from other students and the instructor, staying on task during pair work, speaking French as much as possible.  That is why attendance and participation are 15% of the final grade.

Outside of class, you read, practice, memorize.  In class, you review, practice, ask questions--and get immediate feedback. You learn to understand spoken French by listening to and talking to other students and your instructor.  Click here to learn more about attendance.   

Respect and collaboration

Your instructor will treat you with respect, in class, in student drop-in hours, and via email. Plan to do the same every time you interact with your instructor or other students. In this class, we all collaborate daily. Enjoy the experience of teamwork and treat others the way you would like to be treated. Any questions, please contact your instructor.

Daily homework MWF

Homework is due at 9:00 am Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: find out what's due on the Assignment Calendar.  Click one of the following links to access the assignment calendar for your level: FR101 - FR102 - FR103 - FR104  

Why daily homework? Homework is practice, and learning a language requires practicing outside of class. Doing the homework also shows you what you understand or need help with, so you can go to your instructor's drop-in hours and free LCLC Peer Tutoring.

In-class assignments: The Assignment Calendar shows what is due every day, and alerts you to days when absences will mean missing a larger assignment (for example, in-class writing days, in-class oral exam days). Click one of the following links to access the assignment calendar for your level: FR101 - FR102 - FR103 - FR104  

Late homework is not accepted unless you have an excused absence or a documented technical problem.

Laptops and tablets

• During class, you may use a device to access online French course materials (Connect, Faire du Chemin, Blackboard). We recommend a laptop or tablet so you can easily read and interact with the materials. If you need to use your phone, please let your instructor know.

• Texting, emailing, and accessing sites other than French course materials = not participating, and will negatively affect your participation grade.

• During an exam, using a phone/tablet/laptop will be understood by your instructor as an attempt to send or receive information about the exam (see information about Academic Integrity). 

Academic Integrity (avoiding cheating and plagiarism)

You must work completely alone on anything (all kinds of homework, exams, videos) turned in for a grade. You can ask your instructor any questions you have about any assignment.

Cheating = taking credit for someone else’s work. Consequences for cheating/plagiarism may include: a zero on the assignment, an F in the class, suspension or expulsion from UIC. 

See Academic Integrity for more examples of what cheating is in this class.

Pronouns and preferred name

Let your instructor know your preferences in drop-in hours, in an email, or in class. We encourage you to let UIC know your preferred first name and to indicate your preferred name pronouns on Blackboard settings.

Online/Email respect for everyone: Important now and in future jobs!

Please practice these guidelines in all communications with your instructor and other students:

• Use a greeting with all email communication. "Dear Professor _______", or "Hi, Madame/Monsieur___________".  Sign your email with your preferred name. To avoid: "Hey, what's the homework"

• Use professional language. "Please" and "thank you"; capitalize words; don't use abbreviations.  Be polite and positive in feedback and communications with the instructor and other students. If there's a problem, explain it and request a meeting.

• Avoid ALL CAPS — it feels like shouting. Use "bold" or quotes to emphasize a word or phrase. 

• Avoid slang and swear words.

• Don't assume that everyone has the same opinions as you: be mindful of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, as well as different political and religious beliefs. Be respectful of others’ views and opinions.  

• Review your email or comments before you send/post. Check for grammar and spelling errors and make sure your point is clear.

• Ask any and all questions. If you don't understand an assignment or feedback, please ask for more information. Everyone has different learning strategies.