French III Advanced

Standard 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 Communication: Communicate in languages other than English

Standard 2.1 Cultures: Gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures

Standard 3.1, 3.2 Connections: Connect with other disciplines and acquire information

Standard 4.1, 4.2 Comparisons: Develop insight into our own language and culture

Standard 5.2 Communities: Participate in multilingual communities and global societies

Estimated Time Range:

August – June

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS

The student will understand that:

1.	Language is a part of the culture of a nation
2.	Customs and traditions vary not only from culture to culture, but also within a culture.
3.	Pronunciation is important to communication
4.	Concepts and thoughts can be expressed differently in French and English.
5.	Having an understanding of the English language will facilitate the acquisition of the French language.
6.	There are structural similarities and differences between French and English.
7.	Language allows for both self-expression and communication.
8.	Meaning is expressed through context.
9.	French is not a phonetic language.
10.	Conventions of listening and speaking are different from the conventions of reading and writing in French.

SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS

Written tests, journals, dictation, question-answer opportunities, class discussions, conversations in pairs or in groups, skits, role plays, and opportunities to read and compose short passages

Example of assessment of a reading: The students are given an unfamiliar passage to read. Before reading, they are guided through a series of pre-reading activities including pre-selected vocabulary words, structural analysis, and are asked to predict what might be part of the content of the passage based on these exercises. Students listen to the text without reading it, and with a partner work to reconstruct whatever they were able to understand. The whole group then discusses their collective understanding of the passage. Following these pre-reading activities, students read the text independently. They may be asked to answer comprehension questions based on the text and/or paraphrase the text in the target language.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

1.	What are object pronouns, relative pronouns and demonstrative pronouns, and how do they function?
2.	How does the use of pronouns avoid repetition in communication?
3.	Why is it important to use the correct tenses in the spoken language?
4.	How can you express actions that have just taken place?
5.	How are past, present and future actions expressed in the target language?
6.	What clarification strategies are available to sustain use of the target language?
7.	What is the role of the conditional tense and how is it formed?
8.	How do customs and culture differ between the various franco-phone countries and the students’ own culture?
9.	How do customs and traditions vary from one franco-phone country to another?
10.	How do customs and traditions vary from one individual to another within the same cultural context?
11.	How does the knowledge of English vocabulary help in the study of French vocabulary?
12.	What vocabulary is essential to effectively communicate in a French-speaking country?
13.	What structures and expressions are needed to form questions in French?
14.	Of what importance is the knowledge of a second language to students in future chosen careers?
15.	How does the use of the past tenses differ (Passé Composé vs. Imparfait)?
16.	What linguistic strategies are available to sustain use of the target language?
17.	How can meaning be inferred from context?
18.	How is what one says determined by accurate use of tenses and grammatical structures?

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The student will be able to:

1.	Express what s/he is doing, will be doing or was doing in conversation or in the written language
2.	Describe people, things and actions using adjectives of description, nouns, and adverbs
3.	Express what has just happened (using venir de expression)
4.	Express who or what is receiving an action (using direct and indirect object pronouns)
5.	Express thoughts and ideas using thematic vocabulary and structures in speaking and writing activities
6.	Refer to people or things already mentioned (using object pronouns)
7.	Use adverbs in spoken and written language
8.	Express thoughts using a variety of negative expressions
9.	Express what would happen under certain circumstances (using conditional tense)
10.	Discuss and compare holiday traditions in the U.S. and in France and other franco-phone countries
11.	Infer meaning from context
12.	Discuss topics that reflect personal experiences, interests, and concerns using thematic vocabulary and structures
13.	Discuss professions and the use of language for future employment
24.	Narrate a sequence of actions using appropriate past tenses
25.	Describe in present, past, or future tenses
26.	Understand and express main ideas and some detail in written text and express ideas in the target language
27.	Pronounce to a comprehensible degree of accuracy
28.	Give and understand advice and suggestions (conditional tense)
29.	Request and understand clarification in target language

SUGGESTED RESOURCES

Schmitt/Lutz. Àbord, Glencoe MacMillan/McGraw-Hill, 1994.

SUGGESTED CONNECTIONS

Foreign service careers

Teaching careers

Political science careers

Health or related fields

Tourism/Travel related careers

International business/diplomacy careers

Communications careers (translator /interpreter)

Service careers (international au pair/food service/customer service)

Bilingual municipal services

Art related careers (film/theater/television)