FRENCH 2813
Georgia Tech Lorraine
Teacher : Sonia SERAFIN
Tel : ++ 33 (0)387 34 07 76
E-Mail : sonia.serafin@orange.fr
Course schedule :
FRENCH 2813 meets twice a week, for one hour and a half .
Required Textbook :
- Williams, Grace and Roche : Bien vu, bien dit. Intermediate French
McGraw-Hill. 2008
ISBN 0-07-289759-7, also available at the GTL library
- A good bilingual dictionary (ie. Robert and Collins).
Recommended Resources :
- Christopher Kendris. 501 French Verbs, 4th edition
Barron’s Educational Series; ISBN : 0812092813
- C.Frederick Farrell Jr. : French & English Grammar - Side by Side, 2nd edition.
Mc Graw Hill; ISBN 0-07-141933-0
- Véronique Mazet : Correct your French Blunders, 1st edition.
Mc Graw Hill; ISBN 13 : 978-0-07-146886-2
Course notebook :
You will be expected to maintain a notebook containing notes taken in or outside class,
additional xeroxed materials, homework assignements etc..
Course description :
This 2000-level course may be used to replace either 2001 or 2002, depending on the level of
the student. It is designed as an intermediary course for students who have completed at least
French 1002 and want to improve their French in France
This course focuses on enhancing and improving students’ foundation in French, helping
them to improve their ability to communicate, to read texts and express themselves.
There will be special attention paid to fundamentals of grammar, speaking abilities and
accent reduction.
Readings, talks and debates about contemporary issues facing French Society will help
increase the use of vocabulary and improve listening comprehension.
In addition we will use your diverse experiences and travels in Europe to debate about
contemporary sociological issues.
Credit Hours : 3
Prerequisite : FREN 1002 or equivalent
Cultural topics :
You will be required to hand in a short (400-500 words) written commentary on 3 of those
topics and to present them to the class.
- ARTE franco-german television channel
- Karambolage, ARTE programme
- Un journal, un magazine (français)
- Un livre, un film, une bande dessinée (français)
- Un artiste, un ingénieur, un savant (européens)
- Un monument en Europe
- Une entreprise, une usine, une banque (européennes)
- Une administration publique française
Workload :
This course requires approximately two hours of individual work per week.
I realize that you are in France, for most of you for the first time; and ( I hope!) that you will
spend much time meeting French people in diverse circumstances. I also know that these
encounters are very good for progress. Nevertheless, like sport, learning a language requires
regular focus and practice if you want to maximize your stay in Metz.
Course objectives :
The primary objectives of this course are to help students increase their vocabulary,
reinforce their grammatical structures, learn new idiomatic expressions and practice
conversation skills.
It will deepen the students’ linguistic capacities by employing the four language skills.
At the end of the course students will have reached the level B1 of the Council of Europe’s
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages,( abb. CEFR).
They will be able to :
Understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered
in work, studies, leisure etc.
Deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where French is spoken.
Describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and
explanations for opinions and plans.
Grading :
Class participation : 10%
Homework : 20%
Topics (essay and presentation) : 20%
Mid- term : 20%
Final exam : 30%
Attendance Policy :
Class attendance is required. If you must miss class to participate in a scheduled GTL event,
please inform me beforehand.
Feel free to discuss your progress and difficulties in the course with me anytime. I am
normally in my office an hour before each class, so if the door is open, feel free to come in.
You can also make an appointment via my personal e-mail.
Note on behavior :
Academically dishonest behavior will not be tolerated.
Please consult the GTI Academic Honor Code.
The following schedule is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class.
FRENCH 2813 : Bien vu, bien dit - ch. 5, 8, 9, 10, 11,
WEEK 1:
Introduction, and course directives.
Homework, Topics, Cultural parenthesis.
Film viewing
WEEK 2
1.Review grammar chapter 1-2-3
Submit 3 topics for approval
2. Review grammar chapter 4-6-7
WEEK 3
1.Chapter 5 - read before class : pp. 157-166
Grammaire : passé composé/imparfait
We will do most of the exercises in class.
2.Read and prepare before class : pp.169 -174
Hand in Topic N° 1
WEEK 4
1.Chapter 8 - read before class : pp. 257-273
Grammaire : pronoms relatifs définis et indéfinis
We will do most of the exercises in class.
2. Read and prepare before class : pp 278 -283
Grammaire : Pronoms relatifs et démonstratifs
We will do most exercises in class.
WEEK 5
1. Hand in Topic N° 2
Presentations Topic N° 1
2. Presentations Topic N° 1 and 2
WEEK 6
1.Chapter 9. - read before class : pp. 296 -303
Write draft Topic N° 3
2. Read and prepare before class : pp. 304 -312
Grammaire : plus que parfait, infinitive, causatif
We will do most exercises in class.
WEEK 7
1.Prepare before class : pp. 315 - 321
Grammaire : infinitive passé, participle present, gérondif
We will do most exercises in class
2. Review chapters 5, 8, 9
Exercises in class
Hand in Topic N° 3
WEEK 8
1. Mid-term exam
2. Presentations Topic N° 3
WEEK 9
1.Chapter 10 – read before class : pp.332-335
We will do most exercises in class
2.Read and prepare before class : pp . 341 - 349
Grammaire : future, futur antérieur, conjonctions
Exercises in class
WEEK 10
1.Read and prepare before class : pp . 353 - 357
Grammaire : conditionnel présent, si.
Exercises in class
2. read 361-364
Cultural parenthesis in class
WEEK 11
1.Study of ARTE
2.Idem
WEEK 12
1.Chapter 11 : read before class : pp.370-374
Exercises in class
2. Read and prepare before class : pp.378-384
Grammaire : conditionnel passé
We will do most exercises in class.
WEEK 13
1.Read and prepare before class : pp.386 - 393
Grammaire : voix passive, discours indirect
We will do most exercises in class
2. Le Subjonctif :
Worksheet to be handed in class.
WEEK 14
Review and consolidation.
WEEK 15
Review and consolidation.
Week eight : Chapter 4
Pronoms objets directs et indirects
Impératif
Tournures équivalentes impératif
Week ten : Chapter 5
Passé composé avec être et avoir
Imparfait
Imparfait et passé composé ensemble
Week Twelve : Chapter 6
Prépositions avec les noms géographiques
Y et EN
Ordre des pronoms
Adjectifs et pronoms indéfinis
Négation
Adverbes