French is taught using the French in Action series, a modern, multisensory method which has as its goal native-like fluency in speaking, writing, and reading the target language. In the audio-visually equipped classroom, the students become involved in the spirit and feeling of the language through tapes and DVDs prepared expressly for this method. The course consists of a carefully programmed sequence of lessons. Beginning with exclusively oral work, the students are lead to the written language by means of dictation and finally to the development of reading skills. Prerequisite: Average language aptitude as indicated by school examinations is necessary for the first year course. To enter into French 2, one must have departmental approval.

Materials

Textbook: French in Action (hardbound)
Workbook: French in Action (softbound)
Notebook: pocket folder with loose-leaf paper
Plan Book
Students should bring textbooks or workbooks to class only when told to do so. They correspond to the video and tape which students see and hear in class and they are the tools of the students which are to be used at home every night. Students are not to write in their textbooks unless told to do so by the teacher, or they will not be able to sell them after they have completed French 2 or 3. Students should bring their notebooks & plan books to class every day. Students who do not have their plan books with them will have 5 points subtracted from their homework grade (see Homework below).

Grading

Oral or written quizzes will be given frequently: these will be announced in advance, but it is necessary to be prepared daily. Anyone receiving an "F" in a written quiz may turn in a corrected copy of that quiz (i.e. each incorrect response must be written out ten times) for the grade to be counted as a 69 for phases 3 & 4 and 59 for phase 2. (eg. If students in phase 3 or 4 receive a 45 on a written quiz and they turn in a corrected quiz, they receive a 69, provided it is acceptable. However, no late corrections will be accepted).
Oral and/or written tests will be given at the end of each textbook Lesson and will count more than quizzes: these will always be announced at least two days in advance.
There will usually be 3-5 quizzes and 2 tests per quarter. Usually quizzes will be worth 25% of the quarter grade, tests will be worth 50% and homework will be worth 25%. This will depend however, on the total number of quizzes and tests which may vary from quarter to quarter.
Class participation is an extremely important part of the course. It may affect the quarter grade by adding up to 2 points to or subtracting up to 2 points from the quarter grade. Don't just wait until you are called on to answer questions in class.
French 1, phase 2: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (0-59)
French 1, phases 3 & 4: A (93-100), B (85-92), C (77-84), D (70-76), F (0-69)*
French 2, phase 2: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (0-59)
French 2, phases 3 & 4: A (93-100), B (85-92), C (77-84), D (70-76), F (0-69)*
*Students enrolled in phase 4 will complete supplementary independent study assignments (including readings from Scholastic magazines, web activities, compositions) & will take additional quizzes (sometimes after school) which will be averaged into the grades earned in the regular French 1 or 2 courses.

Make-up work

There will be a make-up test/quiz period once or twice a month after school (G6) Quizzes and tests must be made up after an absence or students will receive a "0". If students are absent the day before a test or quiz and return to school on the day of the test or quiz, they must take the test or quiz that day unless they have a written excuse from their parents. Students are also responsible for finding out what work they missed and what needs to be made up. This also applies to absence from class due to driver's ed and guidance appointments. When students are absent from class for any reason, they should contact the teacher by e-mail (rluberti@salesianum.org) to find out what the assignment for the day will be and/or to attach to an e-mail any work that is due on the day of their absence.

Homework

Students should spend at least 30 minutes each night on French homework. Much of the homework will be reviewing the new material covered in class in the textbook and/or workbook, and practicing pronouncing this new material, and memorizing dialogues and vocabulary. Do not neglect these assignments because they are not written - they are just as important as written assignments because of the nature of this course.
All homework assignments (both written and listening) will be added together to form a test grade for each marking period. Students will begin each marking period with 100 homework points. When homework is checked, the following number of points will be subtracted from the 100 points: -5 points if the students do not have their homework (even if it is in their locker or at home!), -3 points if the assignment is incomplete, -1 point if the assignment is passable, -0 if it is acceptable. For example, if students do not have their homework five times in one marking period, but the rest of their assignments are acceptable, they will receive a quarter homework grade of 75 (which will be averaged into other test and quiz grades for the quarter).

Problems

Students sometimes feel frustrated with the total immersion approach to learning a foreign language, since little or no English is used. Students having any problems understanding the material should ask the teacher for help immediately after class or after school. We can also arrange for tutoring.

Classroom rules/regulations

Students will not be permitted to go to their locker once class has begun, so they should bring textbooks, workbooks, notebooks, written assignments, pencils, etc. with them when told to do so. Students who do not have pencils or pens on test or quiz days will not be permitted to take the test or quiz and will receive a "0".
Students will not be permitted to go to the restroom once class has begun, except for extreme emergencies.
Students who are not in their seats when the bell rings for class to begin will be sent to the Main Office for a late pass.
Students who fall asleep in class will be asked to stand.
Students are not to touch windows or blinds in the classroom and they should not write on the desks.
Students may bring tape recorders to class provided they are not disruptive.
Seats will be rotated every quarter (marking period).
Tests and quizzes will be returned to students as soon as possible after they are taken, so students should not ask the teacher when they will be returned.

French in Action
It is highly recommended that students videotape the French in Action series when it is broadcast on Delaware cable Channels 11, 12 or 20 (PBS) so that they may view their own videotapes at home in order to reinforce or clarify what they have learned in class. It is usually broadcast very early in the morning, once or twice a week, but check the T.V. guide for exact days and times. If the series is not broadcast on public television, students may view it online at www.learner.org/resources/series83.html