FRENCH - Seventh Grade

Mrs. Swanson

Textbook                     Nouveaux Copains   Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 

Objective                            To enable the student to work toward a proficiency in the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 

Overview 

Oral communication continues to be stressed and the students are rapidly learning to express themselves in French through gradual immersion, using vocabulary rich in practical everyday language. During the first trimester, the students learn about travel, going through customs, exchanging money, and asking directions. During the second trimester they learn about staying with a French family, getting acquainted with the whole family, and participating in French cuisine. In the last trimester for the year the students visit some areas of France and learn how to find particular shops and other locations in a town. Role-playing and dialogues continue to supplement written and oral drills and exercises. Audio cassettes, video tapes, and movies are used as supplements to improve the students‚ listening skills. Grammar and writing skills are acquired as a complement to French conversation. Enrichment is provided in the exploration of the culture and history.

 Expectations and Grading 

Learning a second language is a building process that requires being an active listener and a willing participant. The vocabulary and grammar learned from previous chapters will continue to resurface throughout the year. Students are expected to participate in all class activities and should come to class prepared with textbooks, binders, and workbooks. While new vocabulary is reviewed in many different ways in class, students are expected to review again at home every night. Weekly quizzes are to be carefully corrected and signed. Homework should take no more than 20 minutes. 

There will be a quiz every week, alternating a vocabulary quiz and a sentence quiz applying the grammar learned in that section. Quizzes and class work will account for 70% of the overall grade. While homework is usually not graded, unless otherwise specified, it often serves as practice and preparation for upcoming quizzes. Oral participation in class will account for the remaining 30% of the overall grade. 

Contact:            Pswanson@saintjamesacademy.org or leave a message with the office and I will return your call as soon as

possible.