Course description:

Elementary French, when taken for two semesters, is a complete introductory French program whose primary goals are to develop the student’s communicative ability in French and the student’s awareness of the cultural diversity of the French-speaking world and of our own cultural assumptions. It provides a basis for the development of language proficiency in speaking, listening comprehension, reading and writing, as well as an understanding of linguistic features.

Because of its introductory nature, the course is designed for students who have no prior knowledge of French.

Texts :

Chez nous and the accompanying package of materials, including the Student Activities Manual and OneKey access. 3 nd edition (Prentice Hall, 2006)

Course requirements :

The class meets three times per week with the professor, and twice for practica with a teaching assistant. Regular attendance and active, prepared participation in all classes and practica are expected. In the case of unavoidable absence, students must inform the professor in advance, or as soon as possible. If a class is missed, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain class notes, handouts, assignments, etc. In order for the absence to be excused, a note from the Class Dean must be sent to the professor. Unexcused absences (3 or more for class and practica combined) will negatively impact the final grade.

Preparation involves the completion of all assignments on a timely basis, that is, by the following class period or, when indicated, by the scheduled due date. Assignments include work in the primary textbook (CN), the Student Activities Manual (SAM), and the Companion Website (CW at http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/cheznous/). The textbook (CN) includes its own audio materials, available on HC Intranet at

http://intranet.holycross.edu/departments/mrc/chez_nous/ . The SAM (Student Activities Manual) includes the Workbook, the Lab Manual and the Video Manual. All are available electronically on OneKey Course Compass, where many of the assigned exercises will be immediately corrected and graded by computer. This is meant to assist the student in the learning process as (s)he does the assignment in preparation for class by providing immediate and individual confirmation of mastery, or of problem areas.

There are five tests scheduled, and at least one oral interview, which will take place during the exam period at the end of the semester. Five of the Écrivons exercises will be collected as compositions and graded. Late work will not be accepted except in the case of excused absences; make-up tests will not be given.

Grading :

Class work: 20% (Class work grade will measure attendance, timely completion of assignments, and participation in both practica and regular class activities.)

Tests: 50%

Écrivons (compositions): 15%

Oral proficiency: 15% (This will measure fluency as demonstrated during testing, interviews, and/or class work.)

N.B. Strict adherence to the College’s Policy on Academic Honesty is expected. Tests, compositions and homework must reflect the personal work of the individual student.

Syllabus :

In preparing for each class, the following homework is expected:

1. A careful study of the CN textbook. The Text Audio CD will be used for the Points de départ, the Sons et lettres, the text’s Écoutons exercises, some Lisons and some Observons exercises, and each chapter’s concluding list of vocabulary. This audio material is available at http://intranet.holycross.edu/departments/mrc/chez_nous/ . Unless otherwise noted, the text’s exercises under A vous la parole are optional; they need not be prepared as homework. When time permits, these exercises will be done in class or during practica.

2. All corresponding Workbook and Lab Manual exercises in the Student Activities Manual (SAM) are to be done on OneKey/Quia (http://books.quia.com ) unless otherwise noted. (For example, see #3 below.) Assigned Video Manual exercises are to be done on OneKey/Quia. Supplementary activities available on Quia, that is, activities that are not part of the SAM, are optional.

3. The Écrivons exercises of the Workbook should be printed out on a separate sheet of paper, available to be handed in upon request. At least one Écrivons exercise per chapter will be collected and graded for content and accuracy of expression.

4. The Companion Website exercises are strongly recommended for a review of material studied.

5. Practica are not listed because of varying dates. There is no homework assigned specifically for the practica.

N.B. Please e-mail me any homework and/or OneKey-related question or problem you would like me to address during class time no later than 2 p.m., prior to class time. This will allow me to bring any needed materials to class.

All needed links can be found on my web page for Elementary FRENCH

http://www.holycross.edu/departments/mll/cschick/elfren.htm

Abbreviations:

I. CN= Chez Nous Textbook; CP=Chapitre Préliminaire; C1(C2, C3, etc.) = Chapitre 1 (2, 3, etc.); L1 (L2, L3)= Leçon 1 (2, 3); PD= Points de départ; VC= Vie et culture; SL=Sons et lettres; FF=Formes et fonctions; VCN= Venez chez nous

septembre

1. CN - Read section found in the Preface: To the Student; CP.L1: PD, VC, FF1. Set up your Quia account.
5. CN - CP.L1: FF 2, Lisons
6. CN - CP.L2: PD, SL, VC, FF1
8. CN - CP.L2: FF2, Écoutons
12. CN - CP.VCN; C1.L1:PD, VC, SL
13. CN - C1.L1: FF1, 2; Lisons
15. CN - C1.L2: PD, VC, SL, FF1
19. CN – C1.L2: FF2; C1.L3 PD, VC
20. CN – C1.L3 FF 1, 2; Écoutons
22. CN - C1. VCN
26. Study for CP & C1Test on the 27 th
27. CN - C2.L1: PD, VC, SL, FF1
29. CN - C2.L1: FF2; Lisons

octobre

3. CN - C2.L2: PD, VC, SL, FF 1
4. CN - C2.L2: FF 2; Écoutons
6. CN - C2.L3: PD,VC, FF1
13. C2.L3: FF2; VCN
17. Study for C2 Test on the 18 th
18. CN - C3.L1: PD, VC, FF1
20. CN - C3.L1: FF2; C3.L2: PD, VC
24. CN - C3.L2: SL, FF 1, 2; Écoutons
25. CN - C3.L3: PD, VC, FF 1
27. CN - C3.L3: SL, FF2; Lisons
31. CN - C3.VCN

novembre

1. Study for C3 Test on the 3 rd
3. CN - C4.L1: PD, VC, SL, FF1
7. CN - C4.L1: FF2, Lisons; C4.L2: PD, VC
8. CN - C4.L 2: FF1, 2
10. CN - C4.L3: PD, VC, FF1
14. CN - C4.L3: SL, FF2, Écoutons
15. CN - C4.VCN
17. Study for C4 Test on the 21 st.
21. CN - C5.L1: PD, VC, SL, FF1
22. CN - C5.L1: FF2, Lisons
28. CN - C5.L2: PD, VC, SL, FF1
29. CN - C5.L2: FF2; C5.L3: PD, VC

décembre

1. CN - C5.L3: FF 1,2; Écoutons
5. CN - C5.VCN
6. Prepare for oral interview and C5 test, both to be administered during exam period