UC Center Program
Fall 2007

Introductory Language Practicum - Section II
Mon - Fri, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Instructor:

Janet Sedlar
Ph.D. Candidate, UC Berkeley
Romance Linguistics
janetsedlar@gmail.com

Office Hours
TBA

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This 10-day 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 held from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, Monday through Friday. Six excursions are scheduled during the afternoons to introduce students to Paris.
Excursions last around 2 to 3 hours.

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 special emphasis on oral 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 context. You will find your comprehension increasing as the course progresses.

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 to
express your own thoughts and opinions, both aloud and to yourself. This is one of the best
strategies to reinforce and internalize the grammatical structures and vocabulary of the course.

Don’t always wait to be called on. Initiate! Questions are always welcome. 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, whether directed towards you or not. If
you have trouble speaking up but still want to participate, let your instructor know you wish to be called on.

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 beforehand in person or by email.

2. ORAL PARTICIPATION. 25% of your grade is based on your oral work in class, a
combination of your proficiency and overall effort.

3. HOMEWORK. Homework will be assigned daily and collected at the beginning of the
following class. Every assignment must include the following: your name, instructor’s name,
date, page and exercise number. Answer keys to exercises can be found at the back of your
textbook. You are expected to complete the exercises on your own first, then check their
accuracy with the key, correcting all errors with a different-colored pen. In order to receive full credit (a score of 10), your homework must not only be complete but also corrected. (Caveat for shortcut-seekers: keep in mind that if your homework is perfect every time, I will expect your quizzes and exams to be of similar quality! If not I can only conclude you copied the key.) Homework turned in late will be docked 20% for each day it is overdue.

4. COMPOSITION. Compositions are an opportunity for you to apply your newly acquired
language skills more creatively, synthesizing everything you have learned to describe the
afternoon excursions. An “A” composition will be grammatically accurate, thoroughly address the topic and express something unique about you, the writer. Compositions are to be typed, double-spaced, with 12 point font.

5. QUIZZES AND EXAMS. There will be 2 quizzes throughout the practicum. The final exam
at the end will be cumulative, addressing all of the grammatical structures discussed in class and practiced in homework exercises.

Attendance, participation and in-class work: 25%
Devoirs (Homework): 15%
3 Excursion Reports 20%
2 Quizzes 20%
Final Exam 20%