French IV 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 within a group, opportunities to read selected short passages and demonstrate detailed comprehension, composition, skits, role plays, simulations.

Example simulation assessment: The students work in groups. Their task is to simulate a situation using the target language to resolve a problem. Individual students are assigned different roles. Student performance would be assessed using a rubric including accuracy, pronunciation, appropriate use of language, and resolution of problem.

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.	What is the difference between the present indicative and the present subjunctive?
5.	What clarification strategies are available to sustain use of the target language?
6.	What is the role of the conditional tense?
7.	How do customs and culture differ between the various Franco-phone countries and the students’ own culture?
8.	How do customs and traditions vary from one franco-phone country to another?
9.	How do customs and traditions vary from one individual to another within the same cultural context?
10.	How does the knowledge of English vocabulary help in the study of French vocabulary?
11.	What vocabulary is essential to effectively communicate in a French-speaking country?
12.	Of what importance is the knowledge of a second language to students in future chosen careers?
13.	How are comparative and superlative expressed using adjectives?
14.	Besides using ne and pas, what other ways can negation be expressed?
15.	How can emotion, uncertainty, wishes, preferences, and doubt be expressed using present subjunctive mood?
16.	How can meaning be inferred from context?
17.	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.	Compare people and things using adjectives of description, nouns, and adverbs
3.	Express the extreme qualities of people and things (superlative)
4.	Express who or what is receiving an action (using direct and indirect object pronouns)
5.	Express thoughts, ideas, and opinions related to various content themes and topics
6.	Discuss, compare, and contrast Franco-phone culture as related to content themes and topics
7.	Refer to people or things already mentioned (using object pronouns)
8.	Use adverbs in spoken and written language
9.	Express thoughts using a variety of negative expressions
10.	Express what would happen under certain circumstances (using conditional tense)
11.	Express wishes, demands, and preferences concerning oneself and others (present subjunctive)
12.	Express actions that may or may not take place (expressions of doubt)
13.	Express opinions
14.	Express emotional reactions to the actions of others or to situations
15.	Infer meaning from context
16.	Narrate a sequence of actions using appropriate past tenses
17.	Describe using significant detail in present, past, and future tenses
18.	Understand and express main ideas and detail in written text
19.	Pronounce to a comprehensible degree of accuracy
20.	Give and understand advice and suggestions
21.	Make requests
22.	Express needs
23.	Understand and express main ideas and detail in target language
24.	Describe and compare
25.	Request and understand clarification in target language
26.	Understand narration in present and past tenses

SUGGESTED RESOURCES

Schmitt/Lutz. En Voyage, 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)