FRENCH I 1-2
Classification: Regular (500-501)
Prerequisite: None
Open to: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 2 RW
This beginning course enables students to discuss reasons for learning languages and to develop an understanding of the people who speak them. Students are taught to apply effective strategies for language learning and to communicate through listening and speaking in various cultural contexts. Students will also learn to read and comprehend simple directions, information and short narrative texts, as well as to write familiar words and phrases. Students will demonstrate appropriate behavior and learn the major holidays and geographical features of the French-speaking countries of Europe, and to be aware of current events in these cultures from time to time.

FRENCH II 1-2
Classification: Regular (502-503)
Prerequisite: French I-2
Open to: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 2 RW
In French II students review the basic material learned in French I before proceeding with the French II curriculum. At this level students will participate in conversations dealing with daily activities, personal interests and meeting personal needs. Within these contexts students will also discover cultural similarities and differences. Students will read short texts for comprehension and enjoyment. They will write short letters about their own experiences using culturally appropriate format and style. Students will also give written responses to given situations. Students will also become familiar with the francophone world outside of Europe.

FRENCH III 1-2
Classification: Regular (504-505)
Prerequisite: French II 2
Open to: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 2 RW
In French III students review the basic material learned in French II before proceeding with the French III curriculum. At this level students communicate orally by responding to factual and interpretive questions, interact in complex social situations and give short presentations on cultural topics. Students read for comprehension from a variety of authentic materials and read longer simplified texts for enjoyment. In writing, students will complete authentic forms and documents, take notes, write brief summaries and well-organized compositions. Students will also demonstrate an awareness of the effects of the French culture on other societies including their own.

FRENCH IV 1-2/ IB French
Classification: Regular (506W-507W)
Prerequisite: French III 2
Open to: 11, 12
Credit: 2 FW
In French IV students review and expand the material of French I-III and much of the class is conducted in the language. Although time will be spent on vocabulary building and grammar, the focus on French IV is writing. Students are taught to write a well-organized composition using new vocabulary and grammar structures as an integral part of composition writing. They will be guided to find their own errors in this written work. Students also review and expand their knowledge of French geography and then read excerpts from French history and the relationship to the art and literature of the period. They also learn to take notes on their readings as well as on oral information given in the form of short lectures. Students will be given the opportunity to explore francophone culture through music and reading authentic materials.

FRENCH V 1-2/IB French
Classification: Regular (508W-509W)
Prerequisite: French IV 2
Open to: 11, 12
Credit: 2 FW
In French V students participate in a wide variety of conversations dealing with daily life and news in the francophone cultures as well as their own. They learn the tools for gaining maximum comprehension in reading authentic literary texts, articles and novels. They summarize these texts and learn to analyze the texts and their reactions to the content of the texts. During second semester the students choose a research topic on an aspect of French culture, and then, using the internet to locate French-language web sites, prepare an oral and written project to be shared with their peers.

FRENCH VI 1-2/IB French
Classification: Regular (510W-511W)
Prerequisite: French V 2
Open to: 12
Credit: 2 FW
This independent study class is intended for students who took French V as a junior and who do not want to interrupt their study of French before college. Students will work on projects using the internet to do at least part of their research. They will read and analyze several novels, plays and poems, studying them in the context of the appropriate literary period. Students will also have the opportunity to work on areas of particular interest to them.