French 1 / Ab Initio 1
Mme Cardiasmenos
Course Description:This is a combined course of French 1 and IB French Ab Initio. Ab Intio is an introductory course for IB diploma candidates transferring from another language or new students with no or limited prior French-language knowledge. The focus will be on the acquisition of French for everyday social interactions and the development of linguistic and cultural awareness. This course is divided into seven topics in order to develop a vocabulary range that covers the most common situations in everyday life. These topics are:
• the individual
• education and work
• town and services
• food and drink
• leisure and travel
• the environment
• health and emergencies
Course Requirements and Required Materials:
• Textbook : Belleville 1 Méthode de français ; Cuny & Johnson, CLE International ISBN 978-2-09-033027-4
• Workbook : Belleville 1 Méthode de français ; Ndata & Lair, CLE International ISBN 978-209-033668-9
• A French-English Dictionary
• A notebook divided into:vocabulaire, grammaire, notes, “mon français”
• Index cards (or material for flashcards)
• Folders for handouts
• Legible writing utensil
• Assignments should be submitted on time with specific requirements followed.
• Students are expected to use class time efficiently by paying attention, taking notes, working cooperatively on interactive activities and participating to the best of one’s ability. Interfering with other students’ language learning will not be tolerated.
Goals and Objectives:
The overall objective of this course is for students to achieve communicative competence in French in a variety of everyday situations.
At the end of the languageab initiocourse candidates will be expected to demonstrate ability to:
• communicate information and some basic ideas clearly and effectively, in a limited range of
situations
• understand and use accurately the essential spoken and written forms of the language in a
limited range of situations
• understand and use a limited range of vocabulary in common usage
• use a register that is generally appropriate to the situation
• show an awareness of some elements of the culture(s) related to the language studied.
Course Policies and Expectations:
Attendance -All students are expected to be present and on time for class. It is the responsibility of the student to make-up any work that was missed from an excused absence. Work should be made up the first day the student returns from an absence.
Participation and preparation –All students are expected to arrive prepared to participate in class activities with their texts, materials, and completed homework assignments. Missing or incomplete homework will not be tolerated and will negatively affect your grade. In a foreign language class, it is crucial to participate and practice the language. Your actual participation speaking the language during class time is more important than accuracy!
A note on language learning and time spent outside the classroom-A language is a living, breathing thing; always evolving and changing to reflect the cultures that use it to communicate. Competence in a second language is a skill that must be nurtured, fed and exercised regularly. In addition to class and time spent on French homework, students are expected to pursue the French language at least 2 hours per week in a variety of formats that fit their needs, interests and schedules. Students will keep track of these hours in a log (“mon français” section of notebook) which will be checked throughout the academic year. It becomes very apparent in the classroom, who has genuinely been devoting this time to their language development!
Academic Honesty– Cheating of any kind, including plagiarism and online translator use, will not be tolerated and will result in a failure grade for the assignment. If a student has used work that is not his or her own, without proper citation, the consequences to academic honesty according to the Newman student handbook will follow.
Extra Help– Extra help is available after school every day until 3:30. There are also tutors available through upperclassmen at Newman, as well as resources at “L’Alliance Française” (53 Marlborough St.). I am also reachable by email for homework questions until 5:00pm during the week –ecardiasmenos@newmanboston.org. Please seek help as soon as an area of difficulty has been identified – do not wait until exams!
Grading :
Homework, class preparation, short quizzes – 20% Participation – 20%
Oral Language Demonstrations – 20% Written Language Demonstrations – 20%
Tests, Projects – 20%