The aim of this class is to acquire good bases of grammar, vocabulary and intercultural differences in order to feel comfortable in a French context. The focus will be on communication skills.
Attendance policy:
Any absence must be justified (a doctor’s note for illnesses).
Field study:
An integral part of your program will be visits outside of the classroom to better learn about Paris and French culture. You will be accompanied by your French teacher (except for the first one). The following is a list of the visits:
1) Bus tour around Paris
2) Historical area (« Le Marais »)
3) Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter
4) Montmartre and its artists
5) The Invalides
6) The Palais royal and the « passages »
7) Belleville, multiculturalism
8) Opéra Garnier and its area
Required work and form of assessment:
Participation and interaction in class discussions- 30 %
Behavior during the class (½ regularity and punctuality, ½ conscientiousness)- 10 %
Homework- 20 %
2 graded assignments (grammar, vocabulary, expression, seriousness of work)-20 %
Final exam (oral and written comprehension, written expression)- 20 %
Intensive Beginning French Language And Culture
The aim of this class is to acquire good bases of grammar, vocabulary and intercultural differences in order to feel comfortable in a French context. The focus will be on communication skills.
Any absence must be justified (a doctor’s note for illnesses).
An integral part of your program will be visits outside of the classroom to better learn about Paris and French culture. You will be accompanied by your French teacher (except for the first one). The following is a list of the visits:
1) Bus tour around Paris
2) Historical area (« Le Marais »)
3) Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter
4) Montmartre and its artists
5) The Invalides
6) The Palais royal and the « passages »
7) Belleville, multiculturalism
8) Opéra Garnier and its area
GRAMMAR
• adjectives • personal pronouns
• future tense (“near future”) • demonstrative adjectives
• prepositions and adverbs of place • passive
VOCABULARY
• politeness and manners • physical description
• numbers (addresses, prices, phone numbers) • directions
• food, restaurants, cafés • weather
• age, time, dates • lodging (house, apartment…)
• on the phone, making appointments • money and banking
• shopping • small problems in daily life
• daily tasks • work (office, meetings, classes)
• traveling • personality
• events of life • feelings and emotions
• body and health
• clothing
« SAVOIR-FAIRE » to understand basic cultural rules (politeness, savoir-vivre, gestures, taboos…)
• to make reservations (hotels, restaurants, cabs…)
• to give and ask for information
• to shop (trying on and buying clothes)
• to give appropriate compliments
• to write an email
• to call and receive calls
• to protest, to contest
• to give and ask for opinions
FRENCH CIVILISATION
• importance of food / restaurants / cafés — French specialties
• small shops / open markets vs supermarkets / malls
• how French people communicate — art of speech
• gestures and smiles
• structure of an European town (vs an American town)
• importance of culture / historical monuments
• interpersonal relationships
• conversation / debate / discussions
• work vs life
• place of women / men - women relationships
• family / children / couples
• Paris vs province (“the rest of France”)
Vite et Bien 1, méthode rapide de français (CLE international)
Recommended bookstore: GIBERT JOSEPH, 26-34, boulevard Saint-Michel, 6ème arrondissement (open Monday à Saturday, 10:00 a.m.à 7:00 p.m. — 4th floor) — Metro stops: Line 10, « Cluny-La Sorbonne » stop or RER B « Luxembourg » stop ; Bus 21, 27, 38, 85 (« Les écoles » stop)