OBJECTIVES

• To review and develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in French.
• To increase cultural awareness of the francophone culture and of a multicultural society
• To help students develop and solidify their learning skills as they apply to all subjects
• To help students develop communication and literacy skills
• To reinforce positive attitudes and behaviours towards learning, others and self

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

• Written, aural (listening) and oral (reading / speaking) exercises
• Listening and reading comprehension exercises
• Oral presentations – individual  / partner / group

• Compositions based on units / themes being studied

• Projects based on units / themes being studied

• Oral participation in French – individual / partner / group

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION

ACTIVITIES

• Written quizzes, tests and assignments
• Listening and reading quizzes, tests and assignments
• Oral presentations / discussions
• Aural /oral participation
• Projects based on units / themes studied in class
• Assessment activities
• Student – teacher conferences
• Final examination based on the course content

SUMMARY

• 70 % of the final mark will be based on term work as follows:

Listening           - 30%

Speaking           - 30%

Reading             - 20%

Writing             -  20%

30 % of the final mark will be based on summative evaluation consisting of two* components completed towards the end of the course:

 a)a culminating activity   - 15%

        b) a formal examination    - 15%

 *Both parts must be complete, or student will NOTearn the credit.

ABSENCES / LATE ASSIGNMENTS

• When an absence is legitimate and explained, the student is expected to complete and /or submit missed assignments and tests on the day he / she returns to class.  Students should make an appointment with the course teacher to discuss any extenuating circumstances.  Please note that students should not expect extra help or extended deadlines for work / classes missed due to any vacations.
• If the absence is unexplained, extra time will not be allowed for completion of assignments and the student might have forfeited the opportunity to write a missed test.
• It is expected that students submit their assignments / projects on time.  Where students have provided a legitimate reason for a late submission, students must make an appointment with the course teacher to negotiate a second deadline.  
• Late work will not be accepted after a final deadline.
• Students should discuss any concerns with the course teacher ahead of test dates / assignment deadlines.

EXPECTATIONS

LANGUAGE STRUCTURES/VOCABULARY

PREPARATION

Students should recognize and use most language structures/vocabulary taught by the end of Grade 8. REVIEW WORK IS CRUCIAL for success in a language class:  Review of the most important language structures will take place in class at the beginning of the course - students are expected to complete any assigned / additional review exercises for homework.  Answer sheets will be available for work not taken up in class.

LANGUAGE STRUCTURES

New language structures will be taught and reviewed in class.  Your success will depend on your

participation in French class and daily review done at home.

VOCABULARY

New vocabulary will be introduced frequently through reading and discussions.  You must spend some time at home memorizing / practicing the new vocabulary to be able to retain / use it.  Reading is an excellent way to build and solidify new / additional vocabulary structures.

HOMEWORK

Students are expected to complete all homework assignments.

Homework will be assigned daily.  Following are examples of the usual exercises students will be expected to complete:

• Reviewing the material taught in class by re-reading and/or rewriting notes / exercises / reading selections
• Writing out new vocabulary / verb forms - students must copy out new words or verbs more than once to be able to remember and apply them
• Studying for tests - the best way to study for a language test is to write out the vocabulary / verb forms / questions and answers for reading passages

Students who participate and do the assigned work in class every day will not need to spend a lot of time on homework.  15-20 well focused minutes per day should be sufficient for most students (more time might be needed for major unit tests).