Bienvenue à la classe de
français!
Français II
Madame Woolley
Dear Parents and Students,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to another exciting year of French study! I commend you on your
decision to continue with French. You will find that studying the French language will be both personally
and academically rewarding.
Required materials:
 A divided 3 ring notebook or binder divided into these sections:
-devoirs
-clochettes
-examens
-grammaire
-vocabulaire
-culture
 Pens / pencils
 Dry erase marker
 Highlighter
 Index cards (optional – for vocabulary practice)
Grading
Grades will be determined by using total points. Students are expected to keep track of their
assignments and grades by logging into Phoenix on a regular basis. There will be a variety of
Formative and Summative assignments throughout the year. Formative assessments assess progress
through the learning process. They will be marked in Phoenix with an « F » on the assignment title.
Summative assessments assess the skills and knowledge learned at the end stage of a concept. They
will be marked with an « S » on the assignment title in Phoenix. Students will be graded using points in
the following categories :
Reading - The students will be assessed in their ability to understand written French. We will be
reading a variety of print materials in French this year such as short stories, poetry, newspaper articles
and magazine articles that discuss a variety of cultural topics in the Francophone world.
Writing – Students will be assessed on their ability to write in French and express themselves
appropriately for their level. They will be asked to write in a variety of formats and lengths..
Speaking – Students will be assessed daily in their ability to express themselves orally in French
through class participation. Speaking grades may be individual, partner or group grades. Students’
speaking skills will be assessed through both interpersonal (conversation) and presentational
(narrative) speaking.
Listening – Students will be assessed in their ability to understand French when they hear it. I will be
using French exclusively in class to assist students’ in their listening skills. It is very important that
students use the language as well in class and stay focused so that other students may practice their
listening skills as well. We will practice listening through a variety of media such as authentic music,
videos, films as well as book exercises on CD.
Homework – Students can be expected to have homework regularly. The purpose of homework is to
practice the vocabulary, language structures and communicative topics that have been discussed in
class. Homework may vary among students depending on their area of need. Not every assignment
will receive a grade, but every assignment will be meaningful and will be used in class the following
day. Homework is a formative assessment and will let the students know their progress before a
summative assessment.
Study Skills
Learning a new language is learning a new skill, like learning to play a sport or a musical instrument. It
involves memorizing and attaining new information and facts, but it also involves learning what to do
with that information. The goal for any language is communication – oral and written communication.
Ultimately you have a message that you are trying to share with another person, and the message is
relayed through a different language.
Memorizing vocabulary and understanding how the language works is very important but unless you
practice the vocabulary and the language rules, you will not be able to communicate. I recommend the
following tips to be more successful in learning a foreign language:
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Allow the teacher to speak as much French in class as possible.
Allow your classmates to speak as much French in class as possible. Listening is an important skill. If
you don’t hear it, how will you be able to say it ?
Speak as much French as possible in class. Practice makes perfect !! Do you think that Andy Roddick
became such a good tennis player by watching other people play tennis ? No, he learned by playing
tennis. You will learn French by speaking French.
Do your homework every night, and if you have questions, ask the teacher or a classmate.
Review some French every night. Do the exercises in the book, listen to the audio files on your CD
Rom, quiz yourself on vocabulary, talk to yourself in French or to your friends in French 
Make up your tests and quizzes on time; turn in late homework for half credit
These are some useful websites but they also have apps that you can put on your phone or tablet:
http://www.verb2verbe.com/ - Verb conjugations
http://www.wordreference.com/ - French / English dictionary
https://conjuguemos.com/ - Verb conjugations and practice
Academic Integrity Policy
World language students are expected to follow the DHS Academic Integrity Policy. Students are expected to
do their own work, and not give or receive any unauthorized assistance on assignments and assessments. In
particular, French students should realize that using a translation program or online translator is not
permitted. Teachers are able to distinguish if you used an online translator or a dictionary to do your work.
Students who use dictionaries produce much better written and spoken work than students who use online
translators. The translators online are not very good ! Please read over the Academic Integrity Policy (p.12 in
your agenda) carefully and plan accordingly when completing your assignments (it takes much longer to use a
dictionary !) It also will help you to learn and remember the vocabulary and grammar for long term retention if
you do your own work. Mme Woolley would be happy to assist you if you have any questions about your
assignments.
Electronic devices
The use of electronic devices including, but not limited to: Ipods, cell phones, CD players, and game players
will be permitted but only with permission from the teacher and for instructional activities. Please keep them out
of sight and silenced until we are ready to use them.
Extra-Curricular Activities in French
French Club – The French Club is open to any Dominion High School student. You do not need to be enrolled
in French to participate in the French Club ! Bring your friends ! Our goals are to experience French and
Francophone cultures through social activities, raise awareness in the school and the community about the
value of learning the French language and about French speaking countries in the world, and also to have
fundraisers or community service projects. The French Club is a warm and fun group sponsored by Mme
Woolley and Mme McDermott. We will be running elections for officers this year, and it’s a great way to get
hours towards your activities letter.
Student Expectations Packet – Please go online to the DHS website – Faculty – Woolley, Lara to review the
“Policies and Student / Parent information / Signature Form” link on the left-hand side of the page. Please read
over the file and then enter Student / Parent information on the page for my records. Merci!
I look forward to working with you this year ! Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or suggestions
you have for ensuring your success in French this year.
Sincerely,
Lara Woolley
Lara Woolley
French teacher
Dominion High School
lara.woolley@lcps.org
(571) 434-4400