FRENCH 102 - Advanced French Conversation - California State University ...

[Pages:3]FRENCH 102 - Advanced French Conversation

SYLLABUS ? Spring 2011

FRENCH 102

Dr. Kevin Elstob

Meets Mondays and Wednesdays 1.30 pm- 2.45 pm (EUR 103)

Office: MRP 2013

Tel: 278-6565

Web sites: professor Elstob's site is

kelstob@csus.edu



WebCT home page is:

Office Hours:



Wednesdays 3-4 pm and

Thursdays 1-3 pm

Textbook: a reader available at the SaCT site

and by appointment

Syllabus changes The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time should it be warranted by the demands of sound pedagogy. Changes to the syllabus will be announced on the SacCT home page for the class. In any event, the posted, e-text versions of the syllabus and schedule of classes are authoritative, taking precedence over any printed version.

Special needs - Students with Disabilities In order to ensure equal access and opportunity to pursue their educational goals, CSUS Services to Students with Disabilities (SSWD) offers support services for students with visual, hearing, mobility impairments, specific learning disabilities, psychiatric disorders, and/or other types of disabilities. For more information call 916-278-7825.

If you have a documented disability and verification from SSWD, and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible.

Catalogue Description Mastery of spoken French language through discussion of personal readings to develop vocabulary and syntactical skills. The class is conducted entirely in French. Prerequisite: Four semesters of French or the equivalent. 3 Units.

Overview This language class is divided into four sections which develop as an opening into the world of French in order to develop students' language skills in speaking and listening comprehension, and practice towards competence in French oral in order to be able to:

- ask questions and make suggestions, to recount present, past and future events, - describe one's daily routine, home activities and leisure/hobbies, - better understand oral French, French culture and civilization - develop valuable presentation skills in general - communicate in French using complex structures - understand and answer basic statements and questions while participating in informal conversation

on everyday topics - share, describe personal information - debate and support personal points of view on various events such as described in the news.

Each student will enter that world at her or his own pace and learn how to act, interact, function, debate, and think as a speaker of French. Our flexible approach is designed to allow everybody the opportunity to learn and use vocabulary, expressions, figures of speech, and turns of phrase in everyday functional situations and more involved, intricate discussion. The framework within which students work allows for much revision, and critical review by professor and classmates: individual and group activities, discussion, conversation, formal presentations and oral compositions.

Our variety of written texts comes from contemporary films, topical issues as reported by newspapers, TV, and the Internet. The texts will help students grasp:

? Natural language and culture in context ? A variety of accents and an appreciation for pronunciation ? Naturally recycled structure and vocabulary

Extensive practice and debate will help students express themselves and understand French in a variety of situations. An added value of this course is its exercises which lead students to make their own audio sketches and thus assess their own ability and progress. Selected grammar points are treated within the context of the conversational practice we are studying. We aim to enhance students' fluency, accuracy, and instincts in French by building their confidence so that each of them can take the extra step and dare to go further down the road to proficiency and understanding.

A few guidelines a) In keeping with our views on how conversational ability grows through common courtesies and an adherence to certain standards of behavior, we expect students to show mutual respect, participate actively in class, to focus on class activities, and demonstrate a desire to learn.

b) We believe in active (not passive) language learning. We emphasize using class time to practice as much spoken French as possible. This means not only speaking, but also AND quite often more importantly listening; students should listen carefully to the instructor AND to other students. By listening closely to each other we can learn a lot about how to say things in another language. Given that all five language skills (listening, reading, speaking, writing, and cultural awareness) are dependent to some degree on one another, you will also be expected to engage in reading and writing exercises.

c) Consistent practice of our listening skills reinforces our speaking and our overall understanding of the language. So, we need to practice not only in class, but also at home. Students should do at least 30 minutes French practice (listening, speaking, reading, writing) EVERY DAY.

d) For this class, you will need:

i)

a notebook (preferably 9.75 x 7.5 inch ruled). Students will write regularly in this book ? a

journal designed to keep them practicing French even while out of class

ii)

a handout for each section of the course ? see SacCT. The materials will include short

made-up dialogues for practice, tips on how to deal with a variety of situations, transcripts

of short scenes from French features films

iii)

an outgoing attitude, and a dedication to be ready to enjoy your triumphs and mistakes; to

laugh at yourself and with others

Grading and Assignments Please refer to the SacCT "Week by Week" section for dates. Assignments should be completed in class and homework assignments are due at the following class meeting since all of our assignments will be essential to our class practice.

30% - Participation and attendance (300 points) 15% - Homework (150 points) 20% - 2 audio recordings (100 points each ? 200 points) 10% - Individual Interview (100 points) 10% - Journal (will be taken in 5 times ; 20 points for each time it is taken in 100 points)

5% - Portfolio (50 points ? binder will be checked on various occasions throughout the semester) 10% - 2 outside of class activities (50 points each = 100 points)

For your homework, there are three things that you do.

1) You prepare for class by reading or doing the exercises set by the instructor, or by thinking about what you have to say in the various role plays which we do.

2) You write in your journal for several reasons: a) I want you to keep in contact with French even when you are not in class. By writing in your journal you have a physical reason to stop and think in French 2 or 3 times per week in between our meetings - I expect you to make two or three entries of about one paragraph. b) I want your journal writing to help you be prepared for class. I give you subjects which will be included in the discussion and conversations we have in class. c) I also think that the journal is a good way for students and teacher to keep up a dialogue. I read your entries with interest and I make comments. Reading your journals helps me to know you better and understand you better. It is a place where you can put down any fears, frustrations, or problems that you are having, or where you can say if you liked an activity.

3) You also have other written homework assignments In the first half of the class, this homework will be in the form of dialogues and exercises set by the professor leading to recording #1. In the second half, as we prepare for our longer recording project, homework will be to prepare by looking at articles, commercials, and media things that will be helpful for you in making the recording.

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