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Lower Merion School District

Off-Canvas

French Courses

French 1, French 1H

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: No experience or Middle School recommendation
  • French experience.
  • Course Number: 05010302
  • Course Number H: 05010403

Course Description: This course introduces students to the French language and is intended for students who have never studied French or have had no more than one year of Middle School French study. In French 1, students begin to read, write, and develop a familiarity with the French phonetic and spelling system. Students begin to learn about the culture of French speaking countries and to draw comparisons to their own culture. Students in French 1 engage in spontaneous dialogues, projects, games, and paired, group and whole class activities. They practice reading, writing, listening and speaking within a cultural context. By the end of the course, students are able to express themselves orally and in writing in familiar situations. Students will complete the same tasks and assessments and French 1 students will be provided the necessary scaffolding and supports. This course is designed to prepare students for French 2/2H.

French 2, French 2 H

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 1/1H or Middle School French and teacher recommendation
  • Course Number: 05010802
  • Course Number H: 05010903

Course Description: This course is a continuation of French 1/1H or Middle School French designed for students interested in further developing proficiency in the French language. Students build reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through a wide range of activities and with varied resources that include video, music, technology and reading. Students learn to express themselves in French with greater confidence and clarity as they expand their vocabulary and gain experience with more complex grammatical and linguistic structures. Various forms of exposure to new topics keep the students learning at a comfortable pace. Students continue to learn about the culture of French speaking countries and to draw comparisons to their own culture. Students in French 2/2H engage in conversation, projects, games, and paired, group and whole class activities. They are exposed to various text types as they practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking within a cultural context. Students will complete the same tasks and assessments and French 2 students will be provided the necessary scaffolding and supports. This course is designed to prepare students for French 3/3H.

French 3, French 3H

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 2/2H and teacher
  • recommendation
  • Course Number: 05011102
  • Course Number H: 05011203

Course Description: This course is a continuation of French 2/2H for students working toward an intermediate level of proficiency. Students learn to express themselves in French with greater confidence and clarity as they expand their vocabulary and gain experience using more complex grammatical and linguistic structures. At this level, students are increasingly expected to interact with one another in French to simulate a wide range of everyday encounters with their peers in the target language. Students continue to learn about the culture of Francophone countries and to draw comparisons to their own culture. Students enhance reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through a wide range of activities and with the aid of multiple resources including video, music, audio recordings and multiple text types. Students will complete the same tasks and assessments and French 3 students will be provided the necessary scaffolding and supports. This course is designed to prepare students for French 4/4H.

French 4

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 3 and teacher recommendation.
  • Course Number: 05011302

Course Description: This intermediate level course is a continuation of French 3. Students learn to express themselves in French with greater confidence and clarity as they expand their vocabulary and gain experience with more complex grammatical and linguistic structures. At this level, students are expected to interact with one another in French to simulate a wide range of encounters in the target language, for example during class discussions and debates. Students continue to learn about the culture of Francophone countries and to draw comparisons to their own culture and express their point of view. Students enhance reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through a wide range of activities and with the aid of multiple resources including video, music, audio recordings and multiple text types. This course is designed to prepare students for Advanced French Conversation and Culture H.

French 4H

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 3H and teacher recommendation.
  • Course Number: 05011403

Course Description: French 4 H is an accelerated continuation of French 3H that continues to prepare students for Advanced Placement French study. Class is conducted in French and students converse with each other and with the teacher in French. Grammar and vocabulary from the previous year are reviewed as students incorporate more advanced grammatical structures and vocabulary. Students in French 4H engage in research, literary analysis, debates, projects, and paired, group and whole class activities. They are exposed to various text types as they practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking within a cultural context. Authentic materials and readings are utilized in French 4H. This course is designed to prepare students for AP French Language, Advanced Global Competence in French or Advanced French Literature and the Arts.

Advanced French Conversation and Culture H

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade: 12
  • Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 4 or French 4H and teacher recommendation.
  • Course Number: 05011913

Course Description: This is an engaging, high-level course for students who have completed Level 4 or 4H and are interested in continuing their language studies. The purpose of this course is to use the target language to explore current and historical topics of interest through local, national, and global lenses. Through these topics, students will improve speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in the target language. Students learn to express themselves in French with greater confidence and clarity as they expand their vocabulary and gain experience with more complex grammatical and linguistic structures. Students will explore film, fictional and nonfictional text, current events, and music in French.

Advanced French Literature and the Arts H

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 4H and teacher recommendation.
  • Course Number: 05011603

Course Description: This is a rigorous course for students who have completed Level 4H, Advanced French Conversation and Culture H, or AP French Language. The purpose of this course is to use the French language and prominent works of art and literature as vehicles to bring students closer to the cultures of the French speaking world. Students continue to greatly expand and refine their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in French. Students read fiction, non-fiction, short stories, plays and articles and have an opportunity to learn more about the arts in Francophone countries and the history, culture, and social contexts in which the work was created. Students will view films that depict and interpret the lives and times of the artists or that connect to the literature being studied. This course includes an exploration of complex grammar and is conducted entirely in the target language.

AP French Language

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade: 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 4H and teacher recommendation.
  • Course Number: 05011704

Course Description: This course is offered in an immersion environment. The course is the equivalent of a university-level course and therefore places rigorous demands on students and proceeds at an accelerated pace. One of the goals of the Advanced Placement Program is to prepare students to successfully complete the AP exam. Advanced grammar is reviewed, as necessary. Students further develop conversational skills and aural comprehension in French through discussions, debates, analysis of reading materials and oral presentations of original materials. Students listen to authentic French news sources and react to authentic French audio and visual materials. At the conclusion of the course, students are able to continue their language studies at the college level. Students are encouraged to take the AP exam offered by the College Board's Advanced Placement Program.

Advanced Global Competence in French H

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Successful completion of French 4H and teacher recommendation.
  • Course Number: 05011903

Course Description: This is a rigorous course for students who have completed Level 4H, Advanced French Conversation and Culture H, Advanced French Literature and the Arts, or AP French or students who have attained a similar teacher-approved level of proficiency in the language. The purpose of this course is to examine the majority and minority voices in literature, film, art, and music in the French language. Through teacher-guided and independent readings and films, students explore issues of social justice, consider the needs of communities, and view issues through a historic and future-oriented lens. The course emphasizes strategic use of language in regard to audience, purpose, and command of language and will be conducted exclusively in the target language.