University School - French I - Course Syllabus

Mrs. Day

2009-2010

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the French language and culture.  You will be exposed to basic vocabulary and grammatical structures within the four skill areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  You will also explore cultural aspects of French speaking countries.

Materials Required:          

·         “Allez Viens!” Level 1 textbook, loaned by the school (about $55.00 in case you lose it.)

·         “Allez Viens!” Level 1 Activity book, provided by the school (about $15.00 in case you lose it.)

·         A three ring binder that is at least 1.5” thick so that you can keep the workbook in your binder. A multipocket folder is also acceptable.

·         Tab dividers to keep the binder organized.

·         Writing utensils

·         Paper for note taking and in class activities

·         A French/English dictionary is optional.  If you have internet at home, I recommend using http://www.wordreference.com as your dictionary. It has a huge database and it’s free.

·         Recommended: 3x5 index cards for vocabulary learning.  

Student/parent/teacher communication:

q  The address to the University School website is:

http://www.etsu.edu/coe/uschool/default.asp

The address to my personal webpage is:

http://www.etsu.edu/coe/uschool/facstaff/daya/MrsDayHome.htm

q  Students will receive log on information to mygradebook.com.  You should link all your classes together using a primary id so that checking your grades is easy.  Let me know if you need any help with that.

q  I do encourage you to get in contact with me anytime you have any questions or concerns. The most practical way of communication for me is e-mail (daya@etsu.edu ), or you can call the office (439-4271) and leave a message and I will call you back.

Continued on the back...

Grading Policy:    

o   Tests: 40%

Normally, there will be two tests each nine-week period.

o   Quizzes: 30%.

There will be several announced and unannounced quizzes each nine-week period.

o   Homework: 10%.

Homework will be assigned on a daily basis. You will receive a calendar for each nine-week period with all the homework assignments listed and you can access this calendar online through mygradebook.com. Late homework will receive a 0%.  Incomplete and mostly incorrect homework will also be penalized.

o   Projects: 15%.

Presentations and other projects will be assigned each nine-week period.

o   Classwork, participation, organization: 5%.

See attached information

o   Mid-term and Finals: 5% of the respective semester grade

The mid-term will be over chapters 1-6 and the final over chapters 7-12.

IMPORTANT:

A student who passes first semester but fails second semester will fail the entire foreign language class even if his/her yearly average is 70 or better. For those students, there will be an option to receive credit for the year if they participate in a summer remediation course to ensure that they are ready for the next level.

Make-up work:

In case of an excused absence or tardy, you are responsible to make-up work in due time according to University School policy. If the absence is ruled as unexcused by the administration, missed work will receive a 0%. If you are tardy unexcused and come into the classroom after any graded work has been taken up, you will receive a 0% for that work.

Additional help:    

I am usually in my room every day from 2:30 to 3:00 except for Wednesday. You are welcome to ask questions, get additional help or to do your homework during that time.

If you have any questions about this syllabus, please let me know.  I look forward to working with you this year.

Sincerely,

Ariane S. Day, M. Ed.

Ms. Day’s hints for success:

q  You have to memorize.  Memorization is the main task in learning a new language.  Memorize short phrases or sentences rather than individual words alone.  Learn the ideas, not just the words.

q  Make the fullest possible use of your class time.  Pay attention in class.  This will make your work outside class much easier.  When the teacher is explaining or someone else is reciting, listen and think about what they are saying. Do not heave a sigh of relief and “tune out” when you are not reciting.  Respond mentally to each comment and question; conduct a sort of mental dialogue on the subject matter if you are not actually conversing with teacher or classmates.

q  Language learning means habit development. By listening and imitating me, you improve your oral French.  Try to imitate my pronunciation and speech pattern.  In so doing, you form necessary habits that will make you a successful French student.  By studying and reading aloud when you are alone, you develop good pronunciation habits and language fluency.

q  Homework is a “must”, but there are ways to make it easier and more effective.  Divide your work into smaller “chunks”.  Do your homework when it is assigned.  Homework is part of the learning/practicing process.  The homework document in itself is not the important thing.  It is the habits that doing homework has helped you form, and the vocabulary, syntax and language patterns that doing homework has helped you master, which really matter. Study out loud.  You will be adding an extra dimension to your work.  Your memory will be helped doubly in the learning process.

q  Do not fall behind.  Do your daily work and you will find the studying much more effective and long-lasting than if you try to cram at the last minute for a test or classroom performance.  Foreign-language learning means habit formation, and you just cannot cram habits.  They take time and persistence to form.

q  Build on what you already know.  As you progress in your language study, you have to know what you learned the day before, the week before, the month before, ...

If you follow these hints, you will almost certainly succeed in your French work, enjoy your class, and form some good habits.  I recommend these hints for your other classes too.  Bonne chance!