2014-2015
Mrs. Mihevc
708-386-0127 X289 kmihevc@fenwickfriars.com
Course Description:
AP French is an elective honors course designed to prepare students to take the AP French
Language and Culture exam in May. The focus of the exam is written and spoken communication, both rehearsed and extemporaneous. A subtext is contemporary Francophone culture divided into 6 categories: global challenges, science and technology, contemporary life, beauty and aesthetics, families and communities, and personal and public identities.
To prepare for the exam the course will be taught in French and include a focus on reading, listening, speaking and writing, and a review of grammar. Students will create independent study projects on culture and current events that generate oral reports and essays, practice spontaneous and rehearsed speaking, as well as develop persuasive and analytical writing skills.
Texts and ancillary materials:
Allons au-delà! Ladd
AP French Preparing for the Language and Culture Examination,
Le Petit Prince
Ladd
In addition to the above, a wide variety of authentic materials are used, including newspaper and magazine articles, French films and novels, articles, videos, songs, interviews, and news reports from the Internet. Samples of the AP exam will also be used for practice and assessment.
Students need: a pocket French/English dictionary to leave in class, a folder exclusively for this class and notebook for taking notes.
Method of Grading:
93-100 A
83-92
73-82
B
C
63-72 D
62 and below F
All assignments will be assigned a point value. Grades are determined by dividing the total points received by the total points possible. Semester grades are calculated at 80% semester work and 20% final exam.
Assessments:
Vocabulary, grammar, listening, reading exams
Oral presentations

Culture projects
Essays and in class writing
Speaking exams and discussions
Grammar, vocabulary, reading homework
Current Events
Regulations:
All previous French class policies regarding academic integrity, homework, respect, and
Fenwick policies apply to this class. I expect you to exercise responsibility for yourself, your learning and the class community.
Online Sources: www.tv5.org
(le Journal et Sept jours sur la planète) http://fr.euronews.net/ http://videos.tfi.fr/video www.lemonde.fr
www.voxaleadnews.com
www.stat.gouv.qc.ca/jeunesse www.ined.fr
(Institut national études démographiques) www.europarl.europa.eu/news/archive/search.do
(current events, statistics) www.louvre.fr
www.musee-orsay.org
www.bbc.co-uk/languages/french www.onethinginafrenchday.com
(podcasts) www.AboutFrench.com
(grammar) www.france24.com
www.fr.news.yahoo.com
Films:
Entre les murs
Joyeux Noël
Paris je t’aime
Aurevoir les enfants
Other:
AP practice exams
National French Contest
French poetry anthology
Trésor du Temps
Barrons

Assessments and Activities:
Current events
“Actualités” due every other Friday, use the website www.tv5.org. Everyone will have an oral presentation from these actualités once a semester.
Articles presentations
Listening
Once a week I will assign someone to find a French podcast that the class can listen to and prepare 3-5 questions for the class to answer.
In class listening and replies to AP prompts
Writing
Email replies, persuasive essays, film and novel critiques
Speaking
In class participation, oral presentations, and AP speaking prompts
Reading
Le petit prince , current events, AAD ,
Trésor du Temps
Vocabulary
Words related to each of the 6 themes, expressions used in written and spoken discourse, and words from novels and readings
Country ambassador presentations on AAD themes
Culture
TdT , films, AAD , online sources, actualités, lectures and field trip
Grammar
There is no longer a section devoted solely to grammar on the AP exam, but it is still an important part of writing and speaking. We will review as needed with Bien Dit .
Extra activities include: field trip to the Art Institute, a French mass, and guest speakers. AP practice exams will be used throughout the class and intensively in April.
The teacher reserves the right to make any changes to the course outline or classroom expectations. Such changes will be announced in class.