French

*Please note that all language classes require students to speak in the target language as often as possible and often in front of the class.


French I - Course #301
1 credit, 5 pds/week
No prerequisite
Grades 9-12

French I emphasizes proficiency in the four areas of language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Vocabulary and the fundamentals of grammar are learned and practiced through drill, dialogues, conversations, video scenes, and other learning activities. Correct pronunciation is learned and practiced in the classroom, and listening comprehension is developed through a variety of activities. The cultural aspects of the language and the discussion of French life form an integral part of the course.


French II - Course #302
1 credit, 5 pds/week
Prerequisite: French I (C or above is recommended)
Grades 9-12

This course continues to emphasize proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will continue to develop and to refine the concepts introduced in French 1 through more complex grammar and vocabulary structures. Students will work to enhance their communicative competency through dialogues, conversations, directed compositions and stories. The cultural aspects of the language and the discussion of French life also form an integral part of French II.


Honors French III – Course #303

1 credit, 5 pds/week
Prerequisite: French II and recommendation of French II teacher
Grades 10-12

Honors French III is an intermediate course which continues to build proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing. There is a greater emphasis on fluency in oral work and a greater refinement of composition and sentence structure in written work. Honors French III aims to develop a higher level of reading comprehension necessary for understanding authentic texts. This course includes an introduction to French literature, art, music and history.


Honors French IV – Course #311

1 credit, 5 pds/week
Prerequisite: French III and recommendation of French III teacher
Grades 11-12

Honors French IV continues to develop more advanced listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. It includes a basic grammar review and continues to introduce more advanced elements of grammar. It is designed as an introduction to some of the themes found on the Advanced Placement French Language and Culture Exam. As such, there is a greater emphasis on French in the Francophone world. The goal is to provide the student with an active and rewarding learning experience as they continue to strengthen their language skills and develop their cultural competency. Students who complete Honors French IV will be prepared to study Advanced Placement French V or college level French courses.


AP French V - Course #329

1 credit, 5 pds/week
Prerequisite: French IV and recommendation of French IV teacher
Grades 11-12

This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement French Language and Culture Exam and uses the themes present on the exam as a guide to learning. The ultimate objective of the course is to improve the proficiency for all students in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will continue to develop the ability to understand spoken French in various contexts and to express themselves both orally and in writing with reasonable fluency and accuracy. A wide variety of authentic resources will be used including short stories, novels, films, and numerous print and technological ancillaries. The goal continues to be to provide the student with an active and rewarding learning experience as they continue to strengthen their competencies and love for the French language. Students will be prepared for the AP Exam and college level classes.


French is a very useful language.
Here are some reasons for studying French, which you might not have considered.
* French is one of the official languages of the United Nations.
* The second most important language on the internet
(after English)

Do you feel pride for America, pride for our troops, pride for the contribution our country has made in the world? All around the world, the Statue of Liberty is recognized as a representative of the United States of America and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was a gift of international friendship from the people of France to commemorate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence. The Statue of Liberty was created by a French sculptor and built in France. Lady Liberty arrived in New York Harbor in June of 1885 and she has enlightened the world for over 100 years!

Statue of Liberty History
You can see a smaller-scale version of the Statue of Liberty near the Eiffel Tower, in Paris France. This famous symbol of America was created by a French sculptor and presented by the French people as a gift to the United States of America.

Do you like French foods? Well guess what? French fries, French toast, and French salad dressing DO NOT come from France! However, the French ARE known for their wonderful breads, cheeses, pastries, wines and rich sauces. If you go to France on vacation, try some authentic French foods, but don’t worry about missing your favorite foods from America because France has over 800 “MacDo” restaurants (that’s what the French call McDonald’s).

The Cannes film festival, similar to the Academy Awards or Sundance Film Festival, is one of the biggest and most famous events in the world of film and entertainment. This extremely important international event lasts for several days, and prizes are awarded to the best films of the year.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was founded in 1863 in Geneva through the efforts of Henri Dunant and is a private Swiss organization independent of any government. It acts mainly in case of war or armed conflict under a mandate defined in the four Geneva Conventions of 1949. The actions are guided by the seven Red Cross principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

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Favorite French Links

Carol Haring's French Recruiting Flyer
Top 10 Reasons to Study French
French: A Practical Foreign Language
About French culture - International French Day, Influence of French on English
Facts and Figures About the French Language
BBC - The French Connection
French-American Relations
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
AATF


examens de culture

Take French!


other references to explore:
Alphonse and Gaston
Bordeau, champagne, burgundy
grand pyrenees dogs
quiche lorraine
Terre Haute, Marquette, Lafayette, Notre Dame - all from French!
Support from French troops and fleet helped George Washington to victory over the British at Yorketowne.