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Lower Merion School District

Off-Canvas

French

French 1 / French 1H

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

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. Honors level students will have increased rigor particularly in relation to the application of learning/with assessments. 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: French 1/1H or Middle School recommendation.
  • Course Number: 05010802
  • Course Number H: 05010903

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. Honors level students will have increased rigor particularly in relation to the application of learning/with assessments. 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

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. Honors level students will have increased rigor particularly in relation to the application of learning/with assessments. 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

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

French 4 H is an accelerated continuation of French 3 H 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 4 H 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 4 H. This course is designed to prepare students for AP French Language 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 4 H and teacher recommendation.
  • Course Number: 05011913

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

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

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

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. The purpose of this course is to examine the majority and minority voice in literature, film, art, and music in the French language. This study includes an application of those themes through service in the community. 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.