Course Outline for French 1B
Elementary French

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 12/07/2016
Catalog Description:

FRNC 1B - Elementary French

5.00 Units

Further study of French-speaking cultures of the world featuring the acquisition of the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) of French begun in French 1A. Following an immersion instruction format, the class is entirely taught in the target world language of the selected course. May not receive credit if FRNC 1B1 and/or 1B2 have been completed.
Prerequisite: FRNC 1A or FRNC 1A2.
1102.00 - French
Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 5.00 90.00 180.00 270.00
Laboratory 0.00 18.00 0.00 18.00
Total 5.00 108.00 180.00 288.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. communicate at an upper-elementary level through speech and writing;
  2. demonstrate a working knowledge of the basic grammar and structures of the French language at an upper-elementary level by being able to apply the sentence patterns and grammar structures presented in the course to create new sentences in culturally appropriate ways both orally and in writing;
  3. respond appropriately to spoken and written French at an upper-elementary level understanding pronunciation and intonation;
  4. complete the acquisition of a basic vocabulary and to become aware of the regional vocabulary differences;
  5. demonstrate the ability to comprehend an authentic conversation of native speakers composed chiefly of the vocabulary and grammar studied;
  6. converse on topics studied with some degree of fluency and with accurate pronunciation and intonation;
  7. apply the principles of syntax and grammar introduced at this level in both speech and writing;
  8. write a well-constructed and culturally appropriate paragraph of one hundred words or more on a topic studied and/or discussed in class demonstrating an understanding and appreciation of the culture of French-speaking people, including the most formative historical events and the most important geographical features;
  9. demonstrate practical applications of their French communicative skills in applied professional and/or in service learning fields.
Course Content:
 Course Content (Lecture):
  1. Review and “recycling” and extension of content of French1A
  2. Comparative analysis of Francophone and American cultures
  3. Further study of Francophone customs, values, attitudes, relationships, civil institutions, families, geography, and history
  4. Introduction of elements of French phonetics for good pronunciation
  5. Functional vocabulary and grammar to allow students to:
    1. Extend, accept, or refuse invitations in culturally appropriate ways orally and in writing
    2. Gather and/or request information with a variety of interrogative strategies orally and in writing
    3. Gather information by reading schedules, advertisements, announcements of cultural events, etc., and transmit that information orally
    4. Use culturally authentic maps and timetables 
    5. Make purchases in stores and perform transactions in culturally appropriate ways
    6. Function successfully in basic cultural interactions that involve buying tickets
    7. Discuss in simple terms their likes and dislikes and inquire in culturally sensitive terms into the likes and dislikes of others orally and in writing
    8. Describe, orally and in writing, simple physical ailments to pharmacists and doctors
    9. Narrate simple events in past, present, and future orally and in writing
    10. Make physical descriptions of people and things orally and in writing
  6. Syntax and grammar that allows students to correctly use orally and in writing:
    1. The irregular verbes dire, lire, écrire, savoir, connaître, ouvrir, couvrir, découvrir, offrir, souffrir, vivre, suivre, conduire, construire, détruire, produire, réduire,  and traduire
    2. The imperfect, past perfect (plus-que-parfait), and future tenses of verbs and their present conditional mood and present and past subjunctive mood
    3. Verb complements used with prepositions (the construction conjugated verb + preposition + infinitive)
    4. The sequence of tenses and moods associated with  “if” (si) clauses
    5. Direct and indirect discourse
    6. The negative constructions ne… rien,  ne… personne, rien… ne, and personne… ne
    7. The uses of depuis and pendant with appropriate complements
    8. Impersonal expressions followed by infinitives
    9. The formation and placement of adverbs
    10. The comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs
    11. Use of prepositions with geographical nouns
    12. Relative pronouns and clauses
    13. Demonstrative pronouns
    14. An introduction to French phonetics that includes accentuation, rhythm, linking (la liaison), and the schwa (l’e instable)
  7. The following cultural topics will be covered:
    1. Geography of the French-speaking world
    2. History of French-speaking countries
    3. Francophone music
    4. Francophone art
    5. Francophone literature
    6. Francophone theatre
    7. Travel experience in French-speaking countries
    8. The economy of French-speaking countries
    9. The political systems of French-speaking countries
    10. Historical dates and sites in the Francophone world
    11. Traditions and customs of the Francophone world
    12. Current events
    13. Immigration and minority groups
    14. Stereotypes
  8. Cultural Pluralism/Diversity
    1. Students will be exposed to a pluralistic and comparative approach to the study of the French language and Francophone civilization and culture.  The learning of a language involves the study of the cultural values and other cultural factors that influence the language development.  Consequently, this course fulfills the college’s goal of ensuring that students be exposed to cultural pluralism and diversity.
  9. Critical Thinking
    1. Students will be expected to learn the rules of grammar, pronunciation, and spelling.  Throughout the learning of the language, a methodical and logical analysis of the rules and their exceptions is required in order to make appropriate grammar application.  As communication, rather than a mastery of the rules in themselves, is the ultimate goal, a variety of assignments is given which illustrate the student’s ability to apply the material that he/she has learned.

 

Course Content (Laboratory):

  1. Activate lecture content using interactive audio and audiovisual programs on MindTap Motifs (online course content)
  2. Motifs MindTap passkey which includes access to:
    1. Motifs electronic Student Activities Manual (workbook + lab manual = homework)
    2. Textbook assignments (part of homework)
    3. Motifs eBook (online textbook)
    4. Video Library (part of homework)
    5. Enrichment- flashcards, web quizzes, games, glossary, Internet activities, Google Earth coordinates, interactive learning games, Heinle iRadio, grammar & vocab tutorials, verb conjugator
    6. Diagnostic exams with personalized learning plans
  3. DVDs, CD ROMS, target language websites, etc., featuring culturally authentic and contextual guided speaking, reading, and writing activities such as cued repetition of native speech, dictations, cued oral responses, listening comprehension, and interactive realia (culturally authentic texts)
  4. Organized laboratory activities including conversation groups
  5. Fundamentals of French pronunciation:
    1. The consonant /R/ (all symbols between slashes are International Phonetic Alphabet symbols)
    2. The consonants /s/, /z/, /∫/, and /j/ (voiced /∫/)
    3. Aspirated and non-aspirated h 
    4. The consonant /nj/ (spelled gn) 
    5. The consonant /l/  (French light l contrasted to English light and heavy l’s) 
    6. Liaison: required, optional, and forbidden
    7. Interrogative inflection
    8. The schwa (the silent e, or l’e instable) and the law of three consonants
    9. Accentuation
    10. Equality of rhythm
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Group Activities
  3. Laboratory
  4. Class and group discussions
  5. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Critical Writing assignment: after studying the aspect of the action reported by verbs in the past tense and the narrative components of a fairy-tale in French, write your own version of a fairy-tale, fable, or traditional story using the preterit (passé composé) and the imperfect (imparfait). The actions include a beginning, a middle or progression, and an end of the story.
  2. Oral assignment: prepare a skit in which one person accepts an invitation and the other declines an invitation; both use culturally appropriate expressions.
  3. Cultural Writing Assignment: Prepare a travel itinerary to five different French-speaking areas on three different continents to demonstrate proper use of prepositions with numerous geographical names.
  4. Laboratory Assignment: After studying linking and the silent e in French pronunciation, make a recording of poem.
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Quizzes
  3. interviews to evaluate the four language skills in relation to material presented
  4. Student participation in class activities
  5. Oral reports (without notes) on geographical regions, French holidays, art, films or an aspect of French popular culture
  6. Homework
  7. Final Examination
  8. Recordings from the language laboratory to evaluate pronunciation skills
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding and use orally the grammatical structures presented and vocabulary assigned.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding and use in writing the grammatical structures presented and vocabulary assigned.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the culture, including formative historical events and relevant geographical information.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. K. Jansman, M. A. Kassen, and Denié-Higney Laurence (2017). Atelier-An Introductory French Program (1st). Heinle Cengage Learning.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
In this course, you will further study the French-speaking cultures of the world featuring the study and practice of the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) of French.
Prerequisite: FRNC 1A or FRNC 1A2.