Students hear reports in the target language and recognize subtle points and moods as conveyed by the speakers. Students describe, summarize, explain, and discuss practical subjects. They express ideas using complete sentences and broaden their understanding of the foreign culture. Students strengthen listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through the study of literature, history, and current events. They participate in in-depth studies of major literary works and historical events and learn to recognize the various themes and conflicts involved.
Students study the use of language for active communication.
Specifically, they understand the spoken target language in both formal and conversational situations. They express ideas accurately and resourcefully, both orally and in writing, with reasonable fluency, and they develop a vocabulary sufficiently ample for reading newspaper and magazine articles, contemporary literature, and other nontechnical writings. They receive extensive training in the organization and writing of compositions, review syntax, and study selected works by contemporary authors. Materials will include recordings, films, newspapers, and magazines. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement French Language exam.