Miami Dade College
Department of ESL and Foreign Languages
Building 7 - Third Floor – Room 7307
Phone: (305) 237-1304
WELCOME TO MDC NORTH CAMPUS
FRE 1121
Bienvenue à la classe de français!
The basic French Program at MDC/North includes four levels: FRE 1120, FRE
1121, FRE 2220 & FRE 2221.
Course:
Reference:
Credits:
Term:
Days:
Time:
Pre-Requisite:
FRE 1121 / Elementary French II
729924
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Spring Term (2012-2)
Mondays and Wednesdays
5:40-9:00 PM
FRE 1120 or equivalent
Instructor Information
Name:
Phone Number:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Dr. Leon Palombo
(305) 237-1521
lpalombo@mdc.edu
Place  7322-05
Days and Times  TBA
Mailbox Location: Building 7, Third Floor, Room 7324
Textbook and Materials
Textbook:
CONTACTS (8th Edition) By Valette/Valette
Textbook and Student Online Manual (QUIA)
Recommended:
-A set of wired index cards / A three-hole binder / A highlighter
-An erasable ink pen or a pencil for tests
-Scantrons
Course Description
FRE 1121 is a proficiency-oriented course, emphasizing the mastery of the basic
skills of the language. An integrated (multi-media) approach to develop proficiency
in all the basic language skills: listening/understanding, speaking, reading, writing
and cross-cultural awareness. Students will build on their ability to understand
frequently used words in oral contexts, as well as understand and respond
appropriately to simple phrases and questions. Emphasis is placed on practical
vocabulary and accurate pronunciation. FRE 1121 covers from Lesson 10
through Lesson 14 in your textbook. This is a course that requires a
considerable amount of effort, but the knowledge acquired will definitely be an
asset in daily life, as well as in a wide diversity of jobs and professions.
Learning Outcomes
The following Miami Dade College Learning Outcomes will be assessed in this
course:
1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical
perspectives.
Course Competencies
1. The student will demonstrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
A. Listening. The student will comprehend the spoken language in context by:
1a. understanding commands and directions.
2a. understanding the spoken language related to learned situations.
B. Speaking. The student will respond to questions related to familiar and new
situations, and initiate simple conversations by:
1b. responding to questions about themselves and about familiar and new
situations.
2b. formulating questions in French.
C. Reading. The student will be able to read and comprehend basic texts by:
1c. reading orally.
2c. answering written questions on material not previously learned but within the
vocabulary and grammar taught in the course.
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D. Writing. The students will write basic sentences and paragraphs in French,
utilizing the acquired vocabulary and grammar by:
1d. writing sentences based on previously learned material.
2d. writing short compositions based on relevant data.
2. The student will continue using verbs in high frequency tenses and expand use
of selected grammatical structures by:
A. Using verbs in oral and written communications.
B. Recognizing and responding to declarative and interrogative, affirmative and
negative sentences in the high frequency tenses.
C. Using pronouns.
D. Using selected grammatical structures.
3. The student will demonstrate limited social competence in the foreign culture,
comprehend common rules of etiquette, customs and sensitivities, and show
knowledge of contributions to the arts and humanities by the speakers of French
by:
A. Identifying selected historical events.
B. Identifying certain aspects of the culture of the target country such as family
customs, education, holidays, and leisure-time activities.
C. Identifying important contributions of the people who speak French.
D. Identifying the similarities and differences of life-styles of France and those of
the United States.
Teaching Methods and Strategies
Students will be expected to participate both individually and/or in pairs or small
groups, role-playing conversations in which they interact using acquired
vocabulary and expressions as appropriate. Participation includes being ready for
class (bringing textbook, completed homework assignments, etc…), and the
willingness to use the French language in a variety of classroom activities.
Course Regulations
Attendance: Active participation is an integral part of the learning process since
the key to mastering a foreign language is practice. If you are not present in class,
you cannot make up for lost work. Therefore, you are expected to attend every
class. I understand that occasional emergencies (illness or family problems) may
occur; if for some reason you are unable to attend one class session, you must
notify me either in advance or on the same day of the session class you miss. If
you cannot speak to me in person, you can leave me a voice mail or send me an
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e-mail message with your phone number and the reason of your absence. Even if
you are absent, you are still responsible for finding out what you missed in class,
and for coming prepared the following day of classes. Absences beyond two (2)
may result in a reduction of your final grade, unless a documented excuse is
presented.
The student must have a valid reason for missing class (e.g. serious illness, family
emergency, religious observance, attendance to statutory governmental
responsibilities—jury duty, court appearance, military obligation— or participation
in a college-sponsored event at which the student is representing the College) to
obtain an excused absence.
After three (3) consecutive absences without notification, you must drop
the course, or you will receive a final grade of “F”.
Withdrawals: You are responsible for officially withdrawing from or dropping the
course within the allotted time if you cannot continue attending classes. Do not
expect me to do it for you; it is your responsibility. I may initiate drops for noshows and non-attendance, and only in those cases I will personally drop you.
For last day(s) to withdraw from classes this semester, please refer to the
Academic Calendar available at the Miami Dade College website.
Punctuality: We have only a short time together, and punctuality is imperative
so as to avoid distraction to both your instructor and classmates; therefore,
tardiness is unacceptable in my class. Always observe starting times of the class,
and also when we reconvene after a break. Make every effort to be on time since
not only is arriving late rude, but it also disrupts the learning process for the entire
class. Late arrivals will affect your weekly class participation points. If
you have an emergency and must be late, before entering the classroom make
sure the class is not taking a test. If so, wait until I allow you to enter. If you
arrive late and the class is not taking a test, sit down quietly without greeting your
classmates. The fact that you are late is already an unacceptable behavior.
Tardiness is disruptive to the class; therefore, the students should be on time for
class. Attendance will be taken at the beginning and end of each class period.
Your instructor has the prerogative to deny admission to students who arrive more
than 10 minutes late.
Class Participation: Active class participation, which amounts for 10% of the
final grade, is essential in the language learning process, and by participation I
mean taking an active role, not only in the classroom but also in your interaction
with your classmates outside the classroom, practicing the target language and
doing your part in any group project assigned.
Each week, your instructor will evaluate your participation level and determine a
grade. You will have the opportunity to earn 5 points for every class. To
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increase your opportunities to participate in class, you must complete all work and
readings before every class meeting. Students are expected to come to class
prepared and ready to participate actively. A student who has perfect attendance
may still receive a low grade in participation if he or she does not actively
participate in class. Students are expected to attempt to speak French regardless
of any mistakes they may make. Errors are to be expected and are viewed as a
natural part of language learning.
Quia Assignments: Part of your homework will be assigned online and checked
upon completion. For more on the online homework, please check the Quia page
attached to the syllabus. If you have a problem, you can use the Language
Speech Lab located in Room 1391.
Students are responsible for completing assigned online activities timely. The total
of these completed assignments is worth 25% of the final grade. Students
receive the percentage points, only when the work is totally completed, by the
end of each lesson. Students failing to complete the assigned activities by the
deadline date will lose the percentage points assigned to that specific lesson.
QUIA COURSE CODE: TNEH636
Group Oral Presentation: There will be ONE (1) group oral presentation,
worth 10% of the final grade. This presentation will consist of situation skits in
which groups of two, three, or four students interact. The performance will be
evaluated both individually and as a team.
Chapter Quizzes and Final Exam: There will be a total of FOUR (4) quizzes
(worth 30% of the final grade), in addition to a cumulative Final Exam
(worth 25% of the final grade). Tests and the Final Exam include vocabulary,
writing, grammar and listening comprehension sections. The Final Exam will not
be administered early under any circumstance. If you are planning a trip or
vacation, make sure that you do it around the Miami Dade College Final Exam
Schedule. NO exceptions will be made.
Make-Up Tests: There will be no make-up tests.
Temporary Grade of Incomplete: According to departmental policy, a
temporary grade of ‘INCOMPLETE’ will be assigned ONLY to students under
extreme hardship, in good academic standing nearing the end of the semester,
and when the outstanding coursework is mainly the final exam. An agreement to
complete the outstanding coursework must be signed by the student and the
instructor, and it must contain a description of the work to be done and a
timetable. If a change-grade form is not submitted by the completion date, the
grade of I becomes an F. All agreed upon work must be concluded within the
next major semester.
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Grading Criteria
Criteria used for grading is outlined below. Missed assignments, presentations,
collaborative activities, tests, etc. etc., will receive grades of zero, which will be
computed in your final average.
Quizzes
Class Participation
Group Presentations
Quia Assignments
Final Exam
30%
10%
10%
25%
25%
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90 - 100%
80 - 89%
70 - 79%
60 - 69%
Below 60%
If you receive a final grade of “D,” “F,” “W,” or “IW,” you MUST repeat the
course.
Student Records: I will keep information of your academic records, attendance
and grades, for one additional semester; therefore, any questions or concerns
regarding grades must be presented within this time frame.
MDC Student E-Mail Account: Every Miami Dade College student has a free
Miami Dade College e-mail, which is the means of communication that the College
uses to post announcements to students using a class electronic list.
Consequently, if we need to communicate electronically, this is the only means of
communication we will use, and it is your responsibility to access and check your
electronic correspondence regularly.
Student Questions: I look forward to and appreciate intelligent subject-related
questions from my students, not just during class time, but in my office, or
electronically as well. If you have doubts on a specific course issue, please feel
free to contact me either personally during my office hours, by telephone, or via email. If by e-mail, please use your MDC e-mail account, as stated above. Be sure
that I will respond as soon as time permits.
Seating Arrangements: If I consider it necessary, either at the beginning or
during the development of the course, and for the purpose of facilitating the
learning process and interaction among the students (as well as to maintain
discipline), I may ask you to take a specific seat in the classroom. It is my right as
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your instructor. Please make sure that when you come to class you are aware of
this convention and that you follow it.
Classroom Etiquette
Student Conduct: Instructors are responsible for maintaining order and a
positive learning environment in the classroom. Students whose behavior is
disruptive either to the instructor or to other students will be asked to leave.
Students whose behavior suggests the need for counseling or other assistance
may be referred to the Chairperson of the Department of ESL and Foreign
Languages. If a student’s behavior happens to be more serious and delicate, and
violates Miami Dade College Student Conduct Code, the student will be referred to
the Dean of Students Office.
Cellular Phones: When entering the classroom, you should make sure to TURN
OFF your cellular telephone or any other “up to date” electronic device; students
CANNOT leave the classroom to answer their cell phones, or send text messages
during class, so if you are really expecting to receive an important phone call from
either a relative, or from work, I must be notified in advance so that you can set
your cell phone on vibrate mode. If a cell phone loudly rings while in class (or
even worse, while taking a test!), the final grade of the offender will drop by one
(1) grade. I understand that modern electronic devices have become a necessary
part of contemporary life, but they could also be an annoying distraction if used
inappropriately. In addition, I do consider that the disruption they might cause is a
sign of disrespect to the instructor and classmates alike. *Additional note: No
student will be allowed to leave the classroom while taking a test unless there is a
very serious emergency.
Food and Drinks: While class is in progress, it is NOT permitted to bring any
food or drinks to the classroom, so please abstain from doing so.
Important
Academic Dishonesty: We will adhere to the rules and guidelines delineated in
the Miami Dade College Students’ Rights & Responsibilities Handbook (Code of
Conduct – Procedure 4025) and (Academic Dishonesty – Procedure 4035) in
dealing with academic dishonesty. The ramifications for cheating or any other form
of academic dishonesty may include a grade of “F” for the course, a student being
placed on academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from the College. We
encourage you to familiarize yourself with this document. In this course, students
who are caught cheating will automatically fail the test.
Services for Disabled Students: The Department extends its commitment to
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The college has developed special
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support services to assist disabled students in achieving equal opportunity.
Students who have a disability that might affect their performance in the class are
encouraged to contact Access Services, in confidence, as soon as possible. This
office will aid in appropriate accommodations for the student. This is in
accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American
with Disabilities Act of 1990. Please inform me during the first week of classes if
you need special accommodations due to a disability that might otherwise affect
your performance in the class. Access Services at MDC/North is located in Room
6112, and the number to call for information is (305) 237-1272.
Names, telephone numbers and /or e-mails of two classmates:
___________________________
________________________
__________________________________
_______________________________
Course Outline
The following is the course outline for this semester’s work. I reserve the right to
make any necessary changes. This is only a guideline for you to be aware of the
material to be covered, and when there will be group oral presentations and tests.
Calendrier
3/11
(Leçon 10)
3/13
(Leçon 10)
3/18
(Leçon 10)
3/20
(Leçon 11)
3/25
(Leçon 11)
Vocabulaire/Grammaire
Dates Limites
Discuss Syllabus
Intro to “Ma Famille” dialogue
To describe one’s family
To express personal relationships
Pages 132-135
Possessive Adjectives
Possession with “de”
“être à” expression
Verb “faire” and expressions
Pages 136-141
Weather and seasons expressions
Phonétique
À votre tour
Pages 142-143
Review for Lesson #10 Quiz
Read Syllabus
Register for Quia
Lesson #10 Quiz
Intro to “Rien n’est parfait” dialogue
Clothing and colors vocabulary
Verbs “acheter and préférer”
Pages 144-149
Interrogative adjective “quel”
Demonstrative adjective “Ce”
Verbs like “payer”
Pages 150-152
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Lesson #10 Quia
Take Lesson #10
Quiz
3/27
(Leçon 11)
Numbers 60 to millions
Adjectives like “beau”
À votre tour
Pages 153-155
Review for Lesson #11 Quiz
4/1
(Leçon 12)
Lesson #11 Quiz
Intro to “Le rêve et la réalité” dialogue
Parts of the house vocabulary
Place prepositions
Making comparisons
The superlative
To talk about finances
Pages 156-166
4/3
(Leçon 12)
4/8
(Leçon 13)
Review for Lesson 12 Quiz
Questions with inversion
Phonétique
À votre tour
Vie Pratique #4
Images du Monde Francophone
Pages 164-179
Lesson 12 Quiz
Intro to “Une question de priorité” dialogue
Expressions with “avoir”
Pages 182-185
Prepare for Group Presentation
4/10
(Leçon 13)
Regular –ir verbs
Regular –re verbs
Pages 186-189
Group Presentation
4/15
(Leçon 13)
Imperative forms
Negative expressions
Phonétique
À votre tour
Pages 190-193
Review for Lesson 13 Quiz
4/17
(Leçon 14)
Intro to “Un mois à Paris”
Past tense with “avoir”
Negative past tense
Pages 194-199
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Lesson #11 Quia
Take Lesson #11
Quiz
Lesson #12 Quia,
includes Vie Pratique
and Images du
Monde Francophone
Take Lesson 12 Quiz
Group Presentation
Conversation
Dirigée:
Pages 155, 169, 193
Lesson #13 Quia
4/22
(Leçon 14)
4/24
(Leçon 14)
Lesson 13 Quiz
Questions with the past tense
Irregular past participles
À votre tour
Pages 200-205
REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM
(VOCABULARY, GRAMMAR & VERBAL
STRUCTURES)
Take Lesson 13 Quiz
Lesson #14 Quia
STUDY FOR FINAL
EXAM
FINAL COMPOSITION
4/29
FINAL EXAM
(This program is subject to adjustments and/or modifications)
ABOUT THIS SYLLABUS: This syllabus establishes the requirements of this
course. Please use it as a reference for the nature of the assignments, tests,
classroom regulations, attendance policies, and grading procedures.
BONNE CHANCE!
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