Language classes are the most fun when students are amazed by what they actually can say in the foreign language. The Neorepublican Discourse on French National Identity. Classroom discussion by the students and instructor on the works themselves and some exposure to selected critical studies of these works form the basis of our approach to authors and their writings. Students submit several short essays throughout the semester in which they explore a topic that has occurred to them through their readings. They are also responsible for a more substantial research paper due at the end of the term.
Language is acquired by imitation.
Foreign languages are no exception. Readings that are literary or of general cultural value, video and audio recordings of interaction among native speakers, writing guided by model texts that are adapted by the student, exclusive use of French as the classroom language are all part of my philosophy of teaching French to speakers of other languages. My fervent hope is that, through my courses, students will derive the satisfaction of having learned something useful to them in life. Institutions et culture avant la Cinquieme Republique .