BIENVENUE EN FRANÇAIS 1

Required materials

 
*Web site for Invitation: http:www.harcourtcollege.com/french/jarvis

 Course goals: The goal of this course is to develop the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening to a basic level of proficiency so that the student can communicate basic ideas in French and understand the cultural context of the language. The course is taught through an experiential methodology which entails exclusive use of French in the classroom, emphasis on communicative skills, interactive presentations of grammar and daily oral practice in class.

Specific objectives of Invitation au monde francophone include the following:

-         to help students acquire proficiency in communicating within culturally significant contexts in French.  "Communication" refers not only to the ability to express ideas orally or in writing but also the capacity to comprehend linguistic and cultural meaning while reading or listening to French. 

-         to achieve these communication aims, Invitation au monde francophone includes the latest in technology and instructional tools.

-         to help students become conversant with the Internet and the wide variety of French related resources.  French 1 is designed to be an introductory course in French.  Emphasis on interactive practice in the classroom will also offer students an intensive oral and written practice.

 Course grade:

 Compositions: To improve your writing skills, there will be three written compositions due at regular intervals. The length of your composition will be assigned, and they should be typed and double-spaced.  You will be expected to use the vocabulary and grammar material of the lesson previously studied. The grade for any composition turned in late will not be entered into my grade book.

           I will not correct the composition for you, but will instead give you directions on how to make your own corrections according to the key.  The corrections will be due 3 class days after you receive your composition back from me.  You are not required to correct your work; if, however, you turn in a corrected copy, up to half of the missed points due to grammatical errors will be added on to your grade for that composition.

           You will not be able to improve your grade if you are late turning in the correction.  The computers in the LRC have writing assistants in French with vocabulary and grammar functions which will help you make corrections.  You may also ask me for help with corrections.

 Participation:  There will be two components of the participation grade.  The first one is your active participation in class; you cannot participate if you are not there.  Therefore attendance is very important;  if you must be absent, contact me and I will tell you what work you missed. Three unexcused absences will lower your final grade by a letter grade (a B+ will become a C+).  Excused absences include religious holidays as well as serious illness or family problems.  You are responsible for contacting me about any work you missed.

           The second component is the journal.  You will be asked to write in a journal once a week starting after the first quiz.  If you hand in your journal every week, you will receive 100% for this requirement.

 Homework:  I do not accept late homework.  You may still turn in the homework and I will grade it, but it will not enter into my grade book.  Any work late from an excused absence must be handed in at the next class that you attend and will be accepted.  Elfe that is e-mailed to me must be received the day class meets.

 Quizzes: There will be five 50 minute-long quizzes, thoroughly covering previously learned material. Constitute a study group and review with the friends you will make in class!

           If you miss a quiz, and I have not received prior notification for your absence, you will not be allowed to make up the quiz. If a quiz is missed, I must receive a note either from health services, from your team coach, or from the academic dean in order to be able to take the quiz at a later date. 

           You may make corrections on your quizzes, much as you may for the compositions.  The corrections will be due 3 class days after you receive your quiz back from me. You are not required to correct your work; if, however, you turn in a corrected copy, up to half of the missed points because of grammatical errors will be added on to your grade for that quiz. Corrections to True/False sections will only be accepted if the changed answer show justification.