COURSE DESCRIPTION

The three-week practicum, an intensive grammar course intended to immerse students in the French language and culture and provide a “jump start” for the semester of study in Paris, includes daily class sessions that meet from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, Monday through Thursday. Each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon there will be an excursion to an area of Paris.

Excursions last around 2 to 3 hours.

Tuesday January 31: Montmartre
Thursday February 2: L'Opéra Garnier
Tuesday February 7: Belleville
Thursday February 9: Musée d'Orsay
Tuesday February 14: L’Institut du Monde Arabe
Thursday February 16: Quartier Latin et la Rue Mouffetard

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COURSE MATERIALS

• Jansma, K., Motifs: An Introduction to French, Heinle, 3rd Edition, 2003

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Introduction

Welcome to Paris and to the French language! The French language practicum teaches listening, speaking, reading and writing with a focus on communication. You will have the opportunity to use everything you learn in class, as you go about your daily activities. You can expect to be able to talk about your friends and family, your courses, your living situation, and a wide variety of activities. While you are learning how to speak the language, you will continue your introduction to the culture of the French speaking world. To immerse you in the language, only French will be spoken in class. Although you are not expected to understand every word, try to follow the gist by paying attention to the context. You will find your comprehension increasing as the course progresses.

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Participation

Your French class will become a small, tightly-knit community. This is the place where you should take risks in trying to express yourself. Try to use the new vocabulary and grammar in creating your own meaning. This is one of the best strategies to really learn the language and to make the vocabulary and grammar a part of your linguistic repertoire. Don’t always wait to be called on. Initiate! Ask questions. Follow up on the comments of others. Say the unexpected. Listen to your classmates so that you can ask questions and respond. Silently answer all questions, including those not directed towards you. If you have trouble speaking up but still want to participate, let your instructor know you wish to be called on. And finally, don’t compare your French with your classmates’.

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Requirements

1. ATTENDANCE: Daily attendance is mandatory. This class will move at a brisk pace. New topics with associated grammar and vocabulary will be presented every day. Absences will automatically lower your class participation grade. If you MUST be absent, let your instructor know.
2. ORAL PARTICIPATION: 25% of your grade is based on your oral work in class, a combination of your ability and overall effort.
3. HOMEWORK: Daily homework will be assigned and collected at the beginning of the next class. Every assignment must include the following: your name, instructor’s name, date, page and exercise number. An assignment will receive a √ if it is completed. Homework that is more substantial will receive a √+, a √ or a √ -. NO LATE HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
4. COMPOSITION : Compositions are an opportunity for you to use French creatively, pulling together everything you have learned to describe the afternoon excursions. An “A” composition will be accurate, thoroughly address the topic and express something unique about you, the writer. Compositions are to be typed, double-spaced 12 point font.
5. QUIZZES AND EXAMS: There will be a quiz at the end of each week of the practicum. The exam at the end of the practicum will be cumulative, addressing all of the grammatical structures discussed in class and practiced in homework exercises.

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COURSE SCHEDULE

WEEK 1

La description des personnes. Comment sont vos amis ?

• Grammaire: Différence entre tu et vous. Qu’est-ce que c’est ? qui est-ce ? Conjugaison du verbe être. Couleurs, adjectifs. Chiffres de 1-60.
• Devoirs: 8, p. 24, « Tout ensemble », p. 25

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Tuesday, January 31
Thèmes: Les distractions et les préférences. Qu’aimez-vous dans Paris ?

La vie universitaire en France. Comment étudie-t-on ?

• Grammaire: Verbes comme aimer. Négation. Articles définis. Il y a/ Il n’y a pas de .
• Devoirs: Exercices 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 pp. 43-47
• Excursion à Montmartre

Wednesday, February 1
Thèmes: Le calendrier. Quel jour sommes-nous?

La famille. D’où vient votre famille?  

• Grammaire: Jours de la semaine, saisons, fêtes. Adjectifs possessifs, possession de + nom. Verbes comme « venir ». Les adjectifs (les accords et le placement).
• Devoirs: Exercices 1-6, pp. 70-73. Etudiez pour le quiz.

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Thursday, February 2

QUIZ

Thèmes: La chambre.  Que gardez-vous autour de vous?

Les chiffres. Comment compter en français ?

• Grammaire: Les prépositions de lieu.
• Devoirs: 9 p.74 et « Tout ensemble », p.48 et p.75. Ecrivez votre rapport sur l’excursion.
• Excursion à l'Opéra de Garnier

WEEK 2  

Monday, February 6
Thèmes: Les métiers. Que faites-vous dans la vie?

Les loisirs. Que faites-vous après le travail?

• Grammaire: Il/Elle est vs. C’est + métier. Verbe aller. Verbes faire et jouer pour parler des activités.
• Devoirs: Exercices 1-6, pp. 97-101

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Tuesday, February 7
Thèmes: Comment dire l’heure. Quelle heure est-il ?

Les projets. Qu’allez-vous faire ce semestre ? Où allez-vous aller ?

• Grammaire: Comment dire l’heure. Futur proche. Interrogatif.
• Devoirs: Exercices 7-10, pp. 101-103. A écrire, p. 96
• Excursion à Belleville

Wednesday, February 8
Thèmes: Inviter et être invité

Au téléphone

• Grammaire: Verbes comme « sortir »; verbes pouvoir, devoir, vouloir
• Devoirs: Exercices 1, 2, p. 129; 4, p. 130. Etudiez pour le quiz.

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Thursday, February 9

QUIZ

Thèmes: La météo

Rendez-vous au café (au pluriel)

• Grammaire: Mots interrogatifs (suite) ; Pronoms accentués. Verbes en « re ».
• Devoirs: Exercices 5 p.130; 7, 9 p.134; 10 p.136. Ecrivez votre rapport sur l’excursion.
• Excursion au Musée d'Orsay

WEEK 3

Monday, February 13
Thèmes: L’art de la table

Comment commander au restaurant

• Grammaire: Partitifs. Verbes avec changements orthographiques (acheter, etc.)
• Devoirs: Exercices 1-4 pp. 188-91

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Tuesday, February 14
Thèmes: Manger pour vivre

Faire les courses

• Grammaire: Partitifs, expressions de quantité (suite) et pronoms compléments.
• Devoirs: Lire pp. 152-53. Exercices 5, 6, pp. 193-94 : 11-13, p. 199.
• Excursion à L’Institut du Monde Arabe

Wednesday, February 15  

REVISIONS POUR L’EXAMEN FINAL

• Devoirs: Etudiez pour l’examen final. Ecrivez votre rapport sur l’excursion.

Thursday, February 16  

L’EXAMEN FINAL

• Excursion au Quartier Latin et la Rue Mouffetard

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