Course Description

French 1411 Beginning French I is the first semester of a comprehensive beginning French course in which you will listen to, speak, read and write French. The class includes dialogues, tapes, oral and written exercises, role-playing, and partner work, among other activities. French 1411 is a core curriculum course which satisfies the cross-cultural component of the HCCS core. The course is transferable to universities as first semester French.

Prerequisites

Course Goals (includes core competencies, incorporation of SCANS, etc.)

Listening Comprehension (Novice-High)
Comprehend words, phrases and sentences of the standard spoken language where the context is familiar. Comprehensible language will consist mainly of simple sentences and conversations using high-frequency vocabulary and language patterns.

Speaking (Novice-Mid)
Speak using words, phrases and some short sentences, mainly learned utterances, in a limited number of familiar contexts. Speech will be hesitant with frequent inaccuracies.

Reading (Novice-High)
Read and interpret language focused on high frequency and practical situations or subject matter. The language will consist mainly of vocabulary previously learned. May be able to understand materials at a higher level where the material is contextualized.

Writing (Novice-High)
Write short simple sentences using learned vocabulary and a limited number of grammatical structures. Topics deal mainly with personal life and interests.

Cultural Awareness
a)  Be able to identify regions of the world and name some countries where French is spoken.
b)  Demonstrate knowledge of a few basic facts about several French-speaking countries or regions, including France and Québec.
c)  Show understanding of French customs relating to introductions and initial social contacts, interaction in public places, dining, interaction between family and friends.
d)  Show some understanding of issues in intercultural communication and cultural misunderstanding.
e)  Demonstrate understanding of the interrelationship between culture and language.

French 1411 fulfills the six basic intellectual competencies of the Core Curriculum.

READING: Reading material at the college level means having the ability of analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials, books, articles, and documents.

WRITING: Writing at the college level means having the ability to produce clear correct, and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. In addition to knowing correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, students should also become familiar with the writing process, including how to discover a topic, how to develop and organize it, and how to phrase it effectively for their audience. These abilities are acquired through practice and reflection.

LISTENING: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.

CRITICAL THINKING: Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and to construct alternatives strategies. Problem solving is one of the applications of critical thinking used to address an identified task.

COMPUTER LITERACY: Computer literacy at the college level means having the ability to use computer based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information. Core-educated students should have an understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of the technology and should have the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies ad they become available. (Houston Community College System 2000-2001 Catalog, 35)

Instructor Information (Provide contact information for students)

Textbook Information

Required Textbook & Materials

1. Vis-à-vis: Beginning French, Amon, Muyskens & Omaggio Haddley, 1st ed., 1996, 
   McGraw Hill , Chapters 1 through 7.
   
2. Student Cassette for listening comprehension packaged with textbook.
   Workbook / Laboratory manual accompanying Vis-à-vis.

Lab Requirements (if any)

Students with Disabilities

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to do their own work, unless an assignment is made specifically as a group assignment. Plagiarism (handing in another person's work as your own),  or cheating will result in a grade of F for the assignment, quiz, or test in question. For a second offense, the student may receive a grade of F for the course.

Attendance and Withdrawal Policies

Class will begin at the scheduled time. Please be on time, as coming and going is disruptive to the class. Attendance is essential and daily records will be kept. In accordance with HCCS official policy, a student may be dropped for excessive absences after missing more than two weeks of class (10 hours). Consult with the instructor in case of serious illness or business reasons for absence. Students will lose points on the participation grade for every class missed over two weeks. Absences will be counted from the first class day of the semester, no matter when the student registers or first attends.

Grading Policy

Course Requirements for example: Testing, Projects, Assignments, Portfolios, Service Learning, Internships, etc.

Make-up policy

1. Students are responsible for material covered and announcements made during any absence. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the instructor about work missed and make-up assignments. Exchanging phone numbers with one or two other students for times when you miss a single class is a good idea.
   
2. Quizzes: Must be made up prior to the next class meeting following the quiz.
   Missing one quiz will not count against you. Missing several will count.
   
3. One major test during the semester may be made up if you have a legitimate reason for your absence. Contact your instructor as soon as you return to class or, preferably, by telephone beforehand.

Course Content

Course Calendar with Due Dates for Assignments and Testing

Semaine 1
Introduction: Listening to and speaking French. The French-speaking World,Cultural Differences. Greetings, Counting, Classroom expressions & objects, Writing French: French alphabet, accents. Days, Weather, Seasons. Chapitre 1: Premiers Pas (First Steps) Leçons 1, 2, 3 

Semaine 2
Reading French. Places,  Subjects, Countries & Nationalities, Leisure Activities Chapitre 1, Leçons 4 & Correspondance. Chapitre 2:  A l'Université (At the University)Leçon 1

Semaine 3
Gender and number of articles and nouns; Expressing actions: -er verbs;Negative sentences Library Orientation: Culture research. Chapitre 2, Leçons 2, 3 & Correspondance

Semaine 4
Reading & listening, Révision (Review)Test I, Chapitres 1 & 2Describing personalities, clothing items, physical location: prepositions. Chapitre 2, Leçon 4Chapitre 3: Déscriptions (Descriptions), Leçon 1

Semaine 5
Identifying people & things: irregular verb être (to be); Describing people & things: adjectives; Getting information: yes/no questions. Chapitre 3, Leçons 2, 3 & Correspondanc

Semaine 6
Mentioning specific people or places: prepositions à & de; Reading & listening Describing student rooms, physical description of people, telling the date Chapitre 3, Leçons 3, 4. Chapitre 4 À la maison (At home), Leçon 1 

Semaine 7
Expressing actions: -ir verbs;  Expressing possession and sensation: irregular verb avoir; (to have) Expressing the absence of something: indefinite articles in negative sentences. Chapitre 4, Leçons 2, 3 & Correspondance

Semaine 8
Getting information: using question words;  Reading & Listening;  RévisionTest II, Chapitres 3 & 4. Chapitre 4, Leçons 3, 4

Semaine 9
Describing home & family; Expressing possession: possessive adjectives; Talking about plans and destinations: irregular verb aller (to go).  Chapitre 5  En famille (Family circle), Leçons 1, 2 & Correspondance

Semaine 10
Expressing what you are doing or making: irregular verb faire (to do, make); Expressing actions: verbs ending in -re; Reading & listening. Chapitre 5, Leçons 3, 4

Semaine 11
Designating foods and tableware; Talking about food and drink: -re verbs, irregular verbs: prendre (to take)and boire (to drink);  Expressing quantity: partitive article. Chapitre 6 À Table (Mealtime), Leçons 1, 2 & Correspondance

Semaine 12
Giving commands; Telling time; Reading & listening; RévisionTest III, Chapitres 5 & 6. Chapitre 6, Leçons 3, 4

Semaine 13
Food stores, restaurant menus, counting & money; Pointing out people & things: demonstrative adjectives; Expressing desire, ability and obligation: irregular verbs: vouloir(to want, wish), pouvoir (can, to be able) devoir ( must, to have to). Chapitre 7 La Cuisine (Cuisine) Leçons 1, 2

Semaine 14
Asking about choices: interrogative adjective quel; Describing people & things: position of adjectives Written assignment on cultural topic due. Chapitre 7, Correspondance &Leçons 3, 4

Semaine 15
Révision Oral part of final on last day of class

Semaine 16
Examen de semestre (Final Exam) 

Cultural Readings
Various assignments for cultural readings will be made during the semester.
Each student will be required to hand in a written assignment in English on a cultural topic. More information on this assignment will be given later.

Other Student Information (clubs, tutoring, web resources, student services, etc.)

Recommended:
Audiocassette program-- coordinates with the workbook. Not the same as textbook cassette. Students may obtain copies free of charge through the library by providing new or used 90-minute tapes. Fill out a request form at the circulation desk. Duplication may take up to one week.

French 1411:  Vis-à-vis
Chapters 1-7 four 90-minute cassettes for complete set

Please turn off all cell phones and beepers before class. Their use disrupts the class.