FRNH 121

Beginning French
Fall 2010

DAYS AND TIME: 9:30 am - 10:20 am

M, T, W, Th, F

LOCATION: 216 Alexander Hall

INSTRUCTOR: Mme Edwards

OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm

and by appointment
319 Alexander Hall

TELEPHONE: 734-487-3319 (my office)

734-487-0130 (main office to leave me a message)

E-MAIL: nedwar10@emich.edu

MATERIALS REQUIRED: Invitation au monde francophone, by Jarvis et al., 2nd edition

ISBN 1-4130-4475-1

This is a package of materials made up of a textbook, a

workbook/lab manual, and a set of 6 “Student Lab Audio CDs”
for the workbook/lab manual. The textbook also contains a set of
2 “Text Audio CDs” which cover various chapter dialogues.
Please note that this package will be used in FRNH 122 as well.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course, which includes practice in

listening, speaking, reading, and writing in French. In order to
succeed in meeting course requirements, most students will
need to prepare at home for 1- 2 hours per day, 5 times a week.
 FRNH 121 / Edwards / Fall 2010 / 2

ATTENDANCE:
Regular attendance is MANDATORY in a language class. Students who miss more than 4
hours of class (1 class = 50 minutes of actual class time) will have 1% deducted off of their final
percentage grade for each class missed thereof. Absences will start being counted as of
Monday, September 13 (the beginning of the second week of classes). Please note that these 4
hours are supposed to cover illness, unexpected funerals or other unforeseen emergencies.
Please use them wisely! Students should have as goal to not miss any class, since attendance
and participation are a key factor in a student's performance and success.

For example, if a student's final percentage is 94% (A) and he misses 6 hours, his final grade
will be 94% - 2%, which is 92% (A-). Besides potentially lowering his grade, any student who
misses class loses valuable vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation practice. Should a
student have to miss class, he is expected to contact one of his classmates to get the notes and
the homework assignment and to be fully prepared the day he returns to class.

There will be no exceptions to this rule. Should any exceptional circumstances arise, such as a
situation of serious illness or hospitalization, I will judge them on an individual basis. In these
cases, documentation will be required.

PUNCTUALITY:
Students are expected to behave in a professional manner, befitting their role as college
students. Therefore, students should arrive at least several minutes before class starts.
Tardiness will not be tolerated. Students who are late to class will have a 0.25% point taken
off of their final grade for the first 2 incidents, and 0.5% deducted for each individual incident
starting with the third one. Tardiness will start being counted as of Monday, September 13
(the beginning of the second week of classes).

Students who are habitually late may also be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Services
(SJS) for sanctioning. Please note that any student who is more than 15 minutes late to class
will be considered absent for that day. In this case, students should refer to the Attendance
policy listed above.

APPROPRIATE CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:

Students are expected to TURN OFF their cell phones, pagers and any other devices. Laptops
may not be used. In addition, please note that chewing gum and eating are not permitted in
the classroom. Students who are disrespectful and do not abide by the university and
classroom rules will not only receive a low grade in Participation (see below), but will also have
a 0.25% percentage point taken off of their final grade for each occurring incident, starting
with Monday, September 13 (the beginning of second week of classes).

PARTICIPATION and PREPARATION:

Students will have the opportunity to participate daily in individual and group work, which will
give them practice in speaking French. Studies have shown that students who volunteer
frequently to speak in class do better, on average, than students who do not volunteer. Please
remember that making mistakes is part of the learning process; do not be afraid to raise your
hand because you might say something wrong! Studying your notes, memorizing the
material, and preparing your homework will also make you feel more confident -- so work hard
and do not fall behind!
 FRNH 121 / Edwards / Fall 2010 / 3

Starting with Tuesday, September 14, students will have the opportunity to EARN up to
3 points/class period, for a maximum total of 141 points throughout the term. However, ALL
factors listed below have to occur in order for the points to be awarded on any given day. The
student must....
▪ be on time
▪ be in attendance for the full 50 minutes
▪ have completed the assigned homework
▪ actively participate during homework review time
▪ actively participate during group activities
▪ volunteer frequently and
▪ speak French a majority of the time

A student who meets all of the above requirements but who participates at a less active level,
will earn 1.5 points. Otherwise, 0 points will be earned for that particular day, including on
the days when the student is absent for ANY reason.

COMPOSITIONS:
Besides writing exercises that students will complete as part of their homework assignments,
students will have the opportunity to write a mini-composition at the end of each chapter.
These compositions will be written in class on the days specified on the syllabus. Each
composition will be worth 10 points, for a maximum total of 70 points to be earned throughout
the semester. Students who are absent on the day of the composition will receive a grade
of 0 on this assignment. No make-ups will be given except in extraordinary circumstances, at
the discretion of the instructor.

CHAPTER EXAMS:
Starting with chapter 1 and ending with chapter 6, there will be a comprehensive exam testing
that particular material. Each exam will include listening/comprehension and written
exercises testing vocabulary and grammar. In addition, there may be exercises relating to
cultural aspects that we have covered in class, as well as reading comprehension exercises.
Please note that about half of the exam is made up of listening comprehension exercises.
Students who do not do their homework on a regular basis and do not use the CDs to complete
the audio exercises and to practice pronunciation and listening-comprehension will be severely
impacted on chapter exams. There are no make-ups on chapter exams. Students who miss a
chapter exam will receive a grade of zero on that particular exam.

HOMEWORK:
It is not possible to study a foreign language and become proficient in it without serious work
outside of the classroom. Compared to high school, the pace of a college-level language
course is much greater. Students cannot expect to be proficient without memorizing
vocabulary, conjugating verbs, listening to CDs, practicing pronunciation and regularly
reviewing previous material. All of these activities fall under the heading of "Homework." This
is a crucial part of your success as a student. After learning/memorizing the material covered
in class, you should complete the assigned written and oral exercises and then self-correct
them using the Answer Key book included in your packet. Please note that besides the
exercises assigned on the syllabus, there might be additional homework assigned in class.

Even though homework will not be collected, it is easy to tell if a student has completed or not
the homework assignment and if he is keeping up with the material. Your participation grade
will reflect in great part your preparedness for class (which includes, in itself, having studied
and completed the homework assignments); therefore, completing your homework assignments
will directly impact the final grade that you receive.
 FRNH 121 / Edwards / Fall 2010 / 4

FINAL EXAM:
There will be a comprehensive written and listening/comprehension exam that will cover the
material from the preliminary chapter through chapter 7. Students who miss the final exam
will receive a grade of zero on this portion of their grade.

GRADING:
Your final grade will reflect the total points earned throughout the semester, minus any
deductions for attendance, punctuality, and behavior.

For example, if a student has earned 887 points and has had no deductions, his final
percentage would be 88.7%, which is a B+. However, if the same student who earned 887
points missed 6 hours of class, his final grade would be 88.7% - 2% = 86.7%. His grade would
now be in the "B" range.

Your grade will be calculated as follows:

Chapter Exams (6 exams @ 100 points each) = 600 points = 60.0%

Participation (3 points/day x 47 days) = 141 points = 14.1%
Compositions (7 compositions @ 10 points each) = 70 points = 7.0%
Final comprehensive exam =189 points = 18.9%
1000 points = 100 %

A =92.5-100% C =72.5-77.4%
A-=89.5-92.4% C-=69.5-72.4%
B+=87.5-89.4% D+=67.5-69.4%
B =82.5-87.4% D=62.5-67.4%
B-=79.5-82.4% D-=59.5-62.4%
C+=77.5-79.4% E =59.4% or less

REQUIRED ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Academic dishonesty
Office of Student Judicial Services suggested language:
Academic dishonesty, including all forms of cheating and/or plagiarism, will not be tolerated in
this class. Penalties for an act of academic dishonesty may range from receiving a failing grade
for a particular assignment to receiving a failing grade for the entire course. In addition,
you may be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Services for discipline that can result in
either a suspension or permanent dismissal. The Student Conduct Code contains detailed
definitions of what constitutes academic dishonesty, but if you are not sure about whether
something you are doing would be considered academic dishonesty, consult with the
instructor.

Classroom Management Issues

Office of Student Judicial Services suggested language:
Students are expected to abide by the Student Conduct Code and assist in creating an
environment that is conducive to learning and protects the rights of all members of the
University community. Incivility and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in
a request to leave class and referral to the Office of Student Judicial Services (SJS) for discipline.
Examples of inappropriate classroom conduct include repeatedly arriving late to class, using
a cellular phone, or talking while others are speaking. You may access the Code online at
www.emich.edu/sis
 FRNH 121 / Edwards / Fall 2010 / 5

Student and Exchange Visitor Statement (SEVIS)

Office of international Students suggested language:
The Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requires F and J students to report
the following to the Office of International Students, 229 King Hall within ten (10) days of the
event:
• Changes in your name, local address, major field of study, or source of funding.
• Changes in your degree-completion date
• Changes in your degree-level (ex. Bachelors to Masters)
• Intent to transfer to another school. Prior permission from O/S is needed for the
following:
• Dropping ALL courses as well as carrying or dropping BELOW minimum credit hours
• Employment -- on or off-campus
• Registering for more than one ONLINE course per term (F-visa only)
• Endorsing 1-20 or DS-2019 for re-entry into the USA
Failure to report may result in the termination of your SEVIS record and even arrest and
deportation. If you have questions or concerns, contact the OIS at 487-3116, not your
instructor.

Special Needs Accommodations

Access Services suggested language:
If you wish to be accommodated for your disability, EMU Board of Regents policy #8.3 requires
that you first register with the Access Services Office (ASO) in room 203 King Hall. You may
contact ASO by telephone at 487-2470. Students with disabilities are encouraged to register
with ASO promptly as you will only be accommodated from the date you register with them
forward. No retroactive accommodations are possible.

Statement of Outcomes
In a Foreign Language course, students will…

Communicate at a basic functional level in a language other than their own native
tongue.

In FRNH 121, students will begin to develop the four language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and
writing—, as well as acquire a basic knowledge of the Francophone culture through grammatical and
syntactical structures and vocabulary needed to function in a variety of real-life situations in French-
speaking contexts abroad. Thus, they should be able to use these abilities and knowledge to understand,
respond, describe, request, narrate, compare, read, and write in very simple language for everyday
situations and undertakings; that is, they should be able to function cross-culturally at a basic level.

Demonstrate a basic understanding of the relationship between culture and language.

The worldview of the people who live in a particular culture is inextricably woven in their language. In
FRNH 121, students begin to develop an awareness of French and other French-speaking cultures, of
their particular worldview, and of their specific behaviors. In the field of foreign languages, culture is
defined as the crossroads where perspectives (meanings, attitudes, values, ideas), practices (patterns of
social interactions), and products (books, laws, foods, tools, etc.) meet. Since language is the primary
form of expression in society, it is used to convey cultural perspectives, and to conduct social
interactions. Culture cannot be taught without reference to language, and language cannot be taught
without reference to culture. As students learn more about the language and delve deeper into the
linguistic similarities and differences between French and English, they increase their understanding of
cultural similarities and differences, becoming more efficient interpreters of the target culture.
 FRNH 121 / Edwards / Fall 2010 / 6

Use basic forms and structures of a language in communicating in that language.

In FRNH 121, students will learn to use the basic grammatical structures and syntactical forms as well as
vocabulary for a host of present-day and real-life situations, such as: requesting information while
traveling abroad (asking for directions, ordering a meal, finding a place to stay, shopping, banking, etc.).
In addition, they will be able to make comments on university life in the U.S and abroad, and discuss
various topics, albeit at an elementary level, such as the dangers to the environment, the positive and
negative consequences of interpersonal relationships, as well as current socio-economic and political
problems in the French-speaking world, while comparing them to those in the U.S.

RECOMMENDED EXIT PROFICIENCY LEVELS FOR FRNH 121

As described by ACTFL
(The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).

WRITING
NOVICE-MID Writers at the novice-mid level are able to copy or transcribe familiar words or phrases,
and reproduce from memory a modest number of isolated words and phrases in context. They can supply
limited information on simple forms and documents, and other basic biographical information such as
names, numbers, and nationality. Novice-Mid writers exhibit a high degree of accuracy when writing on
well-practiced, familiar topics using limited formulaic language. With less familiar topics, there is a
marked decrease of accuracy. Errors in spelling or in representation of symbols may be frequent. There is
little evidence of functional writing skills. At this level, the writing may be difficult to understand even by
those accustomed to reading the texts of non-natives.

SPEAKING
NOVICE MID Speakers at the Novice-Mid level communicate minimally and with difficulty by using a
number of isolated words and memorized phrases limited by the particular context in which the language
has been learned. When responding to direct questions, they may utter only two or three words at a time
or an occasional stock answer. They pause frequently as they search for simple vocabulary or attempt to
recycle their own and their interlocutor’s words. Because of hesitations, lack of vocabulary, inaccuracy, or
failure to respond appropriately, Novice-Mid speakers may be understood with great difficulty even by
sympathetic interlocutors accustomed to dealing with non-natives. When called on to handle topics by
performing functions associated with the Intermediate level, they frequently resort to repetitions, words
from their native language, or silence.

LISTENING
NOVICE MID Able to understand some short, learned utterances, particularly where context strongly
supports understanding and speech is clearly audible. Comprehends some words and phrases from
simple questions, statements, high-frequency commands and courtesy formulae about topics that refer to
basic personal information or the immediate physical setting. The listener requires long pauses for
assimilation and periodically requests repetition and/or a slower rate of speech.

READING
NOVICE MID Able to recognize the symbols of an alphabetic and/or syllabic writing system and/or a
limited number of characters in a system that uses characters. The reader can identify an increasing
number of highly contextualized words and/or phrases including cognates and borrowed words, where
appropriate. Material understood rarely exceeds a single phrase at a time, and rereading may be required.
 FRNH 121 / Edwards / Fall 2010 / 7

“The Five C’s”

The ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) standards for foreign
language learning are familiarly referred to as the “Five C’s”, as the title word of each standard
has the initial letter “C”. They are as follows:

COMMUNICATION: Communicate in Languages Other than English

1.1 Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and
exchange opinions.
1.2 Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
1.3 Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety
of topics.

CULTURES: Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures

2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of
the culture studied.
2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of
the culture studied.

CONNECTIONS: Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information

3.1 Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
3.2 Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through
the foreign language and its cultures.

COMPARISONS: Develop Insight into the Nature of Language and Culture.

4.1 Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language
studied and their own.
4.2 Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures
studied and their own.

COMMUNITIES: Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home and Around the World.

5.1 Students us the language both within and beyond the school setting.
5.2 Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment
and enrichment.

(Standards for Foreign Language Learning: Preparing for the 21st Century. Copyright 1996,
National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project)
 FRNH 121 / Edwards / Fall 2010 / 8

Semaine Jour Date À faire en classe Devoirs à faire à la maison

(week) (day) (to be covered in class) (Homework to be completed at home)

1 mercredi le 8 sept Introduction au cours

jeudi le 9 sept

vendredi le 10 sept

2 lundi le 13 sept

mardi le 14 sept

mercredi le 15 sept

jeudi le 16 sept

vendredi le 17 sept

3 lundi le 20 sept

mardi le 21 sept

mercredi le 22 sept Composition en classe

jeudi le 23 sept

vendredi le 24 sept EXAMEN

(chapitre préliminaire et
chapitre 1)

4 lundi le 27 sept

mardi le 28 sept

mercredi le 29 sept

jeudi le 30 sept

vendredi le 1 oct

5 lundi le 4 oct Composition en classe

mardi le 5 oct

mercredi le 6 oct EXAMEN (chapitre 2)

 FRNH 121 / Edwards / Fall 2010 / 9

jeudi le 7 oct

vendredi le 8 oct

6 lundi le 11 oct

mardi le 12 oct

mercredi le 13 oct

jeudi le 14 oct Composition en classe

vendredi le 15 oct

7 lundi le 18 oct EXAMEN (chapitre 3)

mardi le 19 oct

mercredi le 20 oct

jeudi le 21 oct

vendredi le 22 oct

8 lundi le 25 oct

mardi le 26 oct

mercredi le 27 oct Composition en classe

jeudi le 28 oct

vendredi le 29 oct EXAMEN (chapitre 4)

9 lundi le 1 nov

mardi le 2 nov

mercredi le 3 nov

jeudi le 4 nov

vendredi le 5 nov
 FRNH 121 / Edwards / Fall 2010 / 10

10 lundi le 8 nov

mardi le 9 nov Composition en classe

mercredi le 10 nov

jeudi le 11 nov EXAMEN (chapitre 5)

vendredi le 12 nov

11 lundi le 15 nov

mardi le 16 nov

mercredi le 17nov

jeudi le 18 nov

vendredi le 19nov

12 lundi le 22 nov Composition en classe

mardi le 23nov

mercredi le 24 nov NO CLASS HAPPY

jeudi le 25 nov NO CLASS THANKSGIVING!!

vendredi le 26 nov NO CLASS

13 lundi le 29 nov EXAMEN (chapitre 6)

mardi le 30 nov

mercredi le 1déc

jeudi le 2 déc

vendredi le 3 déc

14 lundi le 6 déc

mardi le 7 déc

mercredi le 8 déc Composition en classe

 FRNH 121 / Edwards / Fall 2010 / 11

jeudi le 9 déc

vendredi le 10 déc Last day of classes!

15 mercredi le15 déc EXAMEN FINAL

9:00 am - 10:30 am
regular classroom