In acquiring appropriate and sequential skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, students should expect regular homework assignments, a variety of classroom activities designed to develop facility with language learning, and frequent assessments to monitor and assist their progress. An introduction to the language of French-speaking people, French I concentrates on the acquisition of basic vocabulary and grammatical skills to enable a student to be able to converse in simplest terms in a manner to be understood by a native speaker. Vocabulary reflects aspects of daily life and of the cultures of French-speaking people.
Students also continue their study of aspects of the French culture.
Reading for comprehension receives increased attention as students read selections of broader scope and depth. Investigating the culture of French-speaking people as revealed in reading selections, films, music and art is an important part of the course, also. Students also study the history of France as they continue to strengthen their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Goals of the course include the continued acquisition of vocabulary, increased facility with finer points of French gram-mar, and ability to interpret and express nuance in the language. Students continue to examine aspects of French culture in the context of the literary selections.