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Useful Resources:
Linguee.com
Learn French with Vincent - Youtube
The French AB Initio class is super fun and interactive where you would be able to learn a new language! Teachers use games such as Tigidou (A counting Game), Charades, Card games, Loup Garou and etc to create a fun and exciting environment for students to be motivated to learn the new language.
Learning a new language can be very useful in many aspects of your future, whether it is your second, third, fourth or fifth language, learning French can be especially beneficial in helping your future in Canada and around the world.
In French AB initio, there is a huge focus on grammar, therefore it is important that you take proper notes in an organised manner so that you keep track of everything that is covered in class. A journal will be required for this class to write reflections, or diary entries on particular topics.
It might be useful for you to keep a vocabulary notebook, or google document. Here you can write down new French words you learn, as well as their translation, article (le, la, les) and pronunciation cues. You can also write down English words you want to know in french and look them up on sites like linguee and Cambridge dictionary or ask your teacher.
Books such as the Bescherelle may also be beneficial in terms of helping you with conjugating different words.
It is highly suggested that you immerse yourself into the language in order to improve, you can do so by changing your phone's language to French, watching youtube videos in French, reading books, writing in your diary, listening to music, watching movies, or talking to your family or friends in French! This way, you can naturally improve your speaking, writing and reading on your own!
Things you could do in your free time to improve your French:
1) Watch your favourite movie or T.V in French
2) Listen to your favourite songs in French
3) Write in your diary in French
4) Watch Youtube videos in French (just watch any Youtube video you would usually watch, but in French!)
5) Commentate everything you do in your daily life using French
6) Speak in French, even if the person you are speaking to doesn't really understand :)
7) Listen to new songs in French, and search up the lyrics!
The curriculum uses activities in your daily life to teach the language such as food, hobbies, festivals, transportation and etc, making the class more interesting.
The Internal Assessment
Example French Ab initio IA examination video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m7aYPaPsrk&t=3s
Listed below are all the themes and sub themes, make sure to learn them well before your doing your IA.
1) Identités - Caractéristiques personnelles, relations personnelles, aliments et boissons, bien-être physique
2) Expériences - Loisirs, Vacances, Fêtes et célébrations, habitudes quotidienne
3) Ingéniosité Humaine - transports, media, technologie, divertissements,
4) Organisation Sociaux - Voisinage, l'education, lieu du travail, problèmes sociaux
5) Partage de la planète - climat, l'environnement, questions mondiales, géographie physique
One of the assessments for this course include;
IA: An oral assessment where you would have a short amount of time to look at a picture and have a conversation with the teacher
The French Ab initio Oral IA lasts for 25 minutes in total for each person, demonstrated below is how the time will be divided
First 15 minutes - Choose 1 picture out of 5 ( you will be given one from each theme to choose from) and prepare to describe the image and link to your life as well la culture francophone. Usually, with practise, it would not take up all 15 minutes of time to prepare for 2 minutes of speaking time. Therefore, after you finish writing I would suggest you to immediately write down words you believe are important or will help you gain marks. Write down (in bullet points) answers to possible questions you think your teacher may ask you.
For the next 10 minutes:
La premiere partie
2 minutes - You will have strictly 2 minutes to talk about the picture and make links, it's okay if you don't describe everything on the picture, the most important part is to make your links! Make sure to watch your time and make sure that is done before your time runs out since it's a strict cut off.
La deuxième partie
3 minutes - For the next 3 minutes, your teacher will ask you questions about the picture and anything regarding the theme you have chosen. Honestly speaking, the second and third parts are the most difficult since it is a section you cannot prepare for in advance. In this section, remember to keep your cool and try not to panic. If you cannot think of a word, be sure to rephrase your sentence. It is imperative that you answer every single question in French and do not use English as this would cause marks to be deducted
La troisième partie
4-5 minutes - You will be asked questions from a completely different theme from your picture. My advice is if your teacher asks a question that you are certain that you know the answer to. Make sure you elaborate as much as you can in these areas and use your most advanced vocabulary and sentence structures here to gain as many marks as possible. The more you answer in the questions you know, the less questions you will have to answer in general.
How can I practise for my French IA?
Unfortunately, there aren't very many resources such as previous mock IAs that can be seen online (apart from the above video), thankfully, there are many things you can do on your own to make sure that you are prepared.
1) Find pictures about each theme online, set a 2 minute timer for yourself practise describing them and making links. For example, search something like "A family having dinner" or "Children recycling"
2) Practise answering possible questions regarding each theme, usually closer to the exam, your teacher will ask questions for practise during class, write them down so you can practise at home. You can also make up your own question based on the themes.
3) On a google doc, brainstorm in bullet points answers to the possible questions and things you would say if you were asked the question.
4) Actually practise the IA! Set a minute timer and practise mock exams. Ask your friends in the French B class to practise with you! Ask your Teacher to practise with you!
5) In order to have more links to make to the francophone culture, watch videos in French on Youtube in your spare time!
Example questions for the French IA
1) Quels sont les défis ou les difficultés des adolescents?
2) Qu’est que tu peux faire pour changer ce problème?
3) Comment est-ce que ma vie serait différente si je faisais partie de l’autre culture?
4) Est-ce que c’est possible pour un étudiante de faire un boulot et des études en même temps?
5) Quels sont les effets des sciences et de la technologie sur ma vie?
Useful Verb tenses for the IA
La conditionnelle present (je serais, J'irais, Je voudrais, J'aurais, Je regarderais, Tu chanterais, Il lirais)
Le present
Le futur simple
Le futur proche
L'imparfait
Passé composé
Le complement d'objet direct ou indirect (par exemple: Je l'ai vu, je l'ai parlé)
Example Images for the French IA are shown at the bottom of this page
The Exam
You will have a Reading comprehension and writing component for your final exam (Épreuve 1 et 2) For the writing component (Épreuve 1) you will be required to write a letter, a diary entry, an interview or any other forms of text.
Overall, French Ab initio is easily the most entertaining and enjoyable class out of all six subjects where you find yourself laughing and having fun. However it is important that you practise often as it is impossible to cram or study last minute to understand how to communicate in any language fluently. It is also vital that you are engaged in class discussions and ask questions when needed.
All the Best of Luck,
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