Chabot College
Fall 2010
Course Outline for French 50C
FRENCH CONVERSATION AND CULTURE III
Catalog Description:
FRNC 50C - French Conversation and Culture III
3.00 units
Development of skills learned in French 50B. Understanding of spoken French through pronunciation,
vocabulary, and applied grammar. Further study of the culture and everyday life activities of Francophone
people. Following an immersion instruction format, the class is entirely taught in the target world language
of the selected course.
Prerequisite: FRNC 50B (completed with a grade of "C" or higher)
Units
Contact Hours
Week
Term
3.00
Lecture
Laboratory
Clinical
Total
3.00
3.00
1.00
0.00
4.00
52.50
17.50
0.00
70.00
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entry into this course, the student should be able to:
1. use with confidence the basic structures of the language with an active vocabulary of
approximately 1,200 words in speech and writing;
2. understand the basic features of the sound system in order to communicate orally and in writing in
the target language on everyday topics and settings such as the doctor’s office, the bank, the post
office, the airport;
3. narrate, describe, and explain not only current but also past activities;
4. formulate questions and answers conversationally in French;
5. understand the differences and similarities of the diversity of the Francophone culture and people.
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. recognize and apply conversational patterns and vocabulary according to a given situation in order
to converse in the target language with some degree of fluency and by avoiding redundancy in
everyday speech;
2. describe, explain, and narrate fictional and non-fictional stories/experiences/anecdotes/cultural
notes using the preterit and imperfect to further discuss the cultural differences between French
and non-French speaking countries;
3. use the appropriate time and adverb connectors while narrating present and past historical events
known throughout the world;
4. exchange ideas in the target language with other classmates and special guest speakers about
current events relevant to the class and the community;
5. demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the culture and the people of the Francophone
world by studying their history, geography, and cultural practices.
Course Content:
Course Content (Lecture):
1. Introduction to conversation patterns that reflect the use of the direct and indirect object pronoun to
avoid redundancy in the speech, vocabulary, and expressions used in different settings such as at
the airport, at the doctor’s office, at the mechanic shop, at a sports event, in order to interact and
express opinions with some degree of fluency in the target language.
2. Reading of fictional and non-fictional material to understand the important differences between
American cultural practices and Francophone countries, such as dining practices.
3. Understanding of the proper uses of the past tense as well as the differences in the use in French
while talking about important historical events.
4. Further development of interviewing skills by exchanging ideas with other classmates and guests
about current events relevant to the class and the community at large.
5. Further studying of the history and geography of Francophone countries and cities of the world in
order to acquire the social and cultural information necessary to be able to understand important
differences between American cultural practices and Francophone countries.
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, writing activities.
2. Organized laboratory activities including conversation groups.
3. Fundamentals of French pronunciation:
A. The consonant /R/
B. The consonants /s/, /z/, /?/ and /j/
C. Aspired and non-aspired h
D. The consonant /nj/
Methods of Presentation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Lecture/Discussion
Introduction and discussion of French conversational methods
Choral/individual repetition of model speech
Simulation by instructor and re-creation of dialogues and improvisation
Small group activities including skits, dialogues, etc
Use of supplementary materials such as audio and visual.
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
1. Typical Assignments
A. Prepare a skit reflecting a social situation in a culturally appropriate manner using the past
tense.
B. Read a brief newspaper or magazine article and retell it using the imperfect and preterit.
C. Watch short film clips or listen to audio material and summarize to the class.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
A. Class Participation
B. Homework
C. Oral reports
D. Quizzes
E. Periodic oral tests
F. Final Examination
Textbook (Typical):
1. Véronique Anover and Theresa A. Antes (2008). Á Vous!, Heinle and Cengage Learning.
Special Student Materials