McGill Faculté des arts
Centre d’enseignement du français
Français intermédiaire II, oral et écrit FRSL 321
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
FRSL 321 is designed for students who are able to understand the main ideas and most details of what they hear (face to face or on TV, though not on radio). Comprehension may be uneven due to unfamiliar topics, accents, etc. Students are able to handle successfully a variety of uncomplicated, basic communicative tasks and social situations, but grammar is not yet sufficiently well assimilated to be used correctly and automatically in oral and written expression (conjugation, choice of mood and tenses, use of pronouns, syntax).
The course aims at improving and developing oral and written expression. It gives the students strategic tools in order to promote their autonomy in FSL learning. As cultural insights are essential to communication in any language, the students will be exposed to varied cultural models, with a strong emphasis on Francophonie and Quebec, which will also reinforce their linguistic knowledge.
Prerequisites
At the beginning of the course students should be able to
Oral comprehension: understand everyday spoken French in normal circumstances.
Oral production: communicate simple messages dealing with concrete reality; students have numerous lexical, grammatical and syntactic weaknesses.
Written comprehension:read somewhat lengthy prose (short stories, news items, biographical information). The reader gets the main ideas and facts and misses some details. Structural complexity may interfere with comprehension.
Written production: write simple though often lengthy texts on familiar topics, using different tenses but not always accurately. The students usually have problems or use literal translation when attempting to compose complex sentences.
Objectives
At the end of the course, students should be able to
Strategic objectives: recount their second language learning experience, and identify and apply the learning strategies most effective for them.
Linguistic objectives: consciously use a rich and appropriate vocabulary in dealing with concrete and abstract topics. Once the course is over, the students should be able to apply various techniques to continue expanding their lexical knowledge. They should be able to make links between linguistic form and meaning and use the grammatical constructions enabling them to develop and express more sophisticated and complex ideas.
Cultural objectives: identify and explain cultural references as expressed in written, audio and visual materials. They should be capable of taking into account cultural realities which can have an impact on communication.
TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCE MATERIALS
Reference books(Recommended):
French dictionary: Micro Robert.
French-English / English-French dictionary: Robert-Collins or Harrap's
Jacqueline Ollivier, Grammairefrançaise, 6eédition, available at the bookstore
Reference on-line sites (dictionaries & translation tools):
Reverso
Linguee
Reading material:
FRSL321-325 coursepack, available at the bookstore
Monique Proulx, Les auroresmontréales, available at the bookstore
WORKLOAD
I. Oral Work(50% of the final mark):
1st and 2nd term:
Class participation and attendance (10%)
Preparing for and participating in all class activities, while also:
a. Identifying the strategies necessary for effective learning.
b. Identifying the relevant vocabulary and techniques for memorizing it (semantic mapping) and reusing it.
c. Identifying the strategies necessary for the efficient use of a dictionary and other support tools that promote linguistic accuracy.
Activities, monitorat and quizzes (10%): Review of class content and materials through chosen grammatical and oral exercises and activities.
1stterm:
a)Cooperative work (15%) (travail coopératif) based on Les auroresmontréales. (See activity description in the “Évaluation” section of MyCourses)
1. Reading, research, note-taking, semantic mapping, reflection on the linguistic tools pertaining to language learning/use (grammar and syntax) and personal review of material.
2. Cooperative learning: brainstorming, cooperative work, sharing individual work, group planning, analysis, review, oral presentations.
b) Oral presentations on issues related to la Francophonie(15%).(See activity description in the “Évaluation” section of MyCourses)
1. Preparation is based on good documentation and the oral production reflects a
sustained effort to develop ideas and use accurate linguistic forms with the aim of building effective communication skills.
2ndterm:
a) Debates on issues related to Quebec society(15%). (See activity description in the “Évaluation” section of MyCourses)
1. Preparation is based on good documentation and the oral production reflects a sustained effort to develop ideas and use accurate linguistic forms with the aim of building effective communication skills.
b) Cooperative work (15%) (travail coopératif) based on Les auroresmontréales. (See activity description in the “Évaluation” section of MyCourses)
1. Reading, research, note-taking, semantic mapping, reflection on the linguistic tools
pertaining to language learning/use (grammar and syntax) and personal review of material.
2. Cooperative learning: brainstorming, cooperative work, sharing individual work, group planning, analysis, review, oral presentations.
II. Written work –Compositions (20% / 2 x 10% per term):
Process writing with the aim of mastering the main written genres relevant to serious academic language education (description, narration, review & critique, argumentation). This will entail a review of the main grammatical forms used in French.
1stterm: description, narration
2ndterm: review & critique, argumentation
The end product will be evaluated taking into account all the steps of the process, the production and the different versions of the final text. The portfolio will consist of the drafts, and all the versions of the written work. The final mark will reflect the quality of the revised versions, the content as well as the quality of the target language.
III. Summative tests(30% / 2 x 15% per term):
Two for each term. These tests cover the work done in class and at home.
CLASS MANAGEMENT
Attendance
Regular attendance is mandatory. A student who has been absent for one third of classes (27 hours) will receive a “J” as the final grade.
Punctuality
In order to respect the other students’ work, students arriving in class 10 minutes late or more are expected not to disturb the class. Students are also expected to use the restroom before or after class and to fill their water bottle before class.
Use of smartphones and computers
Electronic devices are not allowed during class time (phone, laptop, etc.) unless required by the instructor. Electronic devices have to be turned off.
Schedule
Students are responsible for keeping to the schedule that is posted on MyCourses at the beginning of the term and for writing down all the changes on their schedule. If they are absent, they are responsible for obtaining the documents handed out in class or available on line and for coming to the professor’s office to see their tests when these were returned during their absence. We recommend a buddy system, if need be, to collect documents or keep track of any changes.
Do not purchase plane or train tickets for days on which you are evaluated.
According to Senate regulations, instructors are not permitted to make special arrangements for final exams. Please consult the Calendar, section 4.7.2.1, General University Information and Regulations at .
Feedback
Students are expected to keep track of their marks and to keep all their assignments except their tests. Tests are corrected in class but returned to the teacher who keeps them. To get feedback on their oral work, students are expected to make an appointment to meet with their teacher during office hours. Students are responsible for informing themselves about the rules and regulations of the university with regards to Method of course evaluation and grading procedures.
See:
Deadlines
There will be no supplemental tests except in special, well documented cases (medical certificate required) and no additional work to upgrade marks. When a problem arises with meeting a deadline, students must contact their professor BEFORE the test, the oral presentation or ANY deadline for handing in assignments. Failure to do so will result in a mark of a "0".
Plagiarism
McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (see for more information) and it is their responsibility to read the university policy as stated in the rules and regulations of the university AND also to read the departmental policy (in MyCourses), in order to understand what might be considered plagiarism in a language course.
A must for all students enrolled in the class
All students should be registered for both parts of the course and be in the same section for Fall and Winter terms. Failing to correct their registration by the end of the Course Change Period may jeopardize receipt of credit for this course.
MARK BREAKDOWN
1stterm / 2ndtermOral work :
- Presence, class work,
participation: 10%
- Oral presentation: 15%
- Cooperative work: 15%
- Activities, monitorat and
quizzes: 10%
Written assignments: 20%
Summative tests: 30%
100% / Oral work :
- Presence, class work,
participation: 10%
- Debate: 15%
- Cooperative work: 15%
- Activities, monitorat and
quizzes: 10%
Written assignments: 20%
Summative tests: 30%
100%
50% / 50%