Chabot College
Fall 2015
Course Outline for French 2A
INTERMEDIATE FRENCH
Catalog Description:
FRNC 2A - Intermediate French
4.00 units
Review of grammar; reading of works of modern authors; practice in conversation and composition.
Following an immersion instruction format, the class is entirely taught in the target world language of the
selected course.
Prerequisite: FRNC 1B (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or , FRNC 1B2 (completed with a grade
of "C" or higher)
Units
Contact Hours
Week
Term
4.00
Lecture
Laboratory
Clinical
Total
4.00
4.00
1.00
0.00
5.00
70.00
17.50
0.00
87.50
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entry into 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.
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. review basic grammatical elements introduced in the first year;
2. acquire a greater command and fluency of the language;
3. read passages of medium difficulty;
4. improve their speaking skills beyond the elementary level;
5. acquire a deeper insight into French life and customs;
6. demonstrate critical thinking skills in class discussion and written compositions:
a. read and interpret works from a range of academic, literary and cultural sources;
b. identify cultural assumptions that are implicit in Francophone texts that are important to
understanding and respond to them;
c. analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and question Francophone texts in culturally appropriate ways,
with special attention to lines of argument, inference, and cultural context;
d. research, evaluate, and use information relevant to textual analysis in different forms of
communication;
e. demonstrate library literacy, knowledge of research methods and internet searches;
f. consider the ethical and legal implications of the use and transmission of information;
7. 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" of content of first-year French;
2.
3.
4.
5.
Study of idiomatic expressions;
Selections from contemporary Francophone writings illustrating the above;
Reading of a modern literary work, including a short story, a novel, and a play or a film;
Instruction focused on critical thinking, reading and writing, especially in the French tradition of the
explication de texte (close textual analysis of literary works) and the compte rendu de lecture
(summary/response approach to student reports on assigned texts);
6. Instruction focused on elements of literary analysis
A. fiction includes: character, plot, conflict, setting, point of view, theme, and context;
B. poetry: diction, lexical choice, imagery, figurative speech, assonance, alliteration, rhyme,
use of symbols, irony and other formal properties such as number of syllables per line,
stanzas, and rime patterns.
Course Content (Laboratory):
1. Activate lecture content using interactive audio and audiovisual programs on CDs, 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);
2. Organized laboratory activities including conversation groups;
3. Fundamentals of French pronunciation.
Methods of Presentation
1. Lecture/Discussion
2. Introduction and discussion of grammatical structures in class; oral exercises and practice after
home preparation by the student
3. Reading and discussion of texts in French
4. Simulation by instructor of individual student contributions to class discussion in the target
language
5. Supplementary materials such as tapes, recordings, videos and slides for enrichment purposes
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
1. Typical Assignments
A. Turn in the written answers to a listening comprehension exercise in the student audio
program.
B. Write an essay in French comparing personal experiences to those read in the short
stories.
C. Write personal reflections on a poem.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
A. Exams/Tests
B. Quizzes
C. Papers
D. Oral Presentation
E. Homework
F. Class Participation
G. Final Examination
Textbook (Typical):
1. Kerri Conditto (2011). Cinéphile: Intermediate French Language and Culture through Film (2nd/e).
Focus Publishing/R. Pullins Co.
Special Student Materials