F202 Intermediate French II is intended for those who have had F201 or the equivalent. Exceptionally this semester, however, students coming directly from F102 are permitted, indeed encouraged, to enroll in F202, despite not having the prerequisite. For them, especially, review grammar will be provided throughout the semester on the syllabus, together with quizzes that every student will take. See on the syllabus the assignments marked Grammar Review. All F201 grammar comes from Chapter 5 : Verbs. See, for conjugasions of simple tenses my verb PowerPoints. Any student having a question or difficulty concerning the waiving of F201 ought not hesitate to seek help or make inquiries. F201 and F202 fill the university wide language requirement, and can count as an elective under Categorical Requirement A-IV. Through coursework, experience abroad, and other cultural encounters, the Modern Languages Program cultivates communicative skills and cultural awareness that prepare students at Western Kentucky University to be more knowledgeable and sensitive citizens of the global community.

F201/202 also counts toward completion of General Education Category A II, as stated below:
           Category A II A student completing the general education program at WKU will have:
             A. Competence in a language other than the native language;
                1. demonstrates basic facility of the vocabulary and grammar of a second language;
                2. demonstrates basic communication skills in a second language.
            B. An appreciation of the complexity and variety in the world’s cultures
                1. recognizes the contributions of the various world cultures to humanity and,
                    identifies the ways in which these cultures are interrelated and interdependent;
                2. identifies differences and similarities among the world’s cultural traditions and social organizations.

The broad outlines of the grammatical structure of French will be covered. There will be much reading and speaking in French. By the conclusion of F202, a student should be able to take any 300-level course--even if taught entirely in French--with the confidence inspired by ample preparation. The course is meant to help students continue to develop such rudimentary knowledge and basic skills as expressed in the course goals:

The primary objective is cultivation of intermediate communication skills in French, especially oral, exchange of information about oneself, such as likes and dislikes, family, studies. This entails an emphasis on listening comprehension, following accounts of events, weather, telephones numbers, prices, and the like. It is an assumption that communication in French, even at the intermediate level, requires much practice, much trial and error. Time is therefore precious. Our modus operandi is careful preparation for each class session. I will expect preparation from you, and you may expect it of me. The course is intended for absolute beginners. The pace of learning from day one through the final exam will certainly be fast-paced. Typically, vocabulary, points of grammar or the like will be presented on day one, practiced enough to allow you to practice outside class before day two. A quiz will follow immediately, covering that same material on day two. For instance, on day one, the present subjunctive of donner is presented, then practiced by dictation. By the very next class meeting, a quiz may establish if the present forms of donner have been learned.

Participation and attendance: class participation is essential; speaking French at every opportunity will help a student with his/her oral practice. Class attendance is not optional. Participation will assure progress toward communication skills. Students are to check Blackboard (http://ecourses.wku.edu) or my Web page (http://edtech.wku.edu/~nlove/f202spring06.htm) and stay abreast of announcements, assignments and changes in the syllabus at least three times each week. There will be questions or assignments posted on Blackboard or the Web page to be completed before the next class. In the event that it is necessary to miss class, it is the responsibility of the student to find out what was covered and to learn the appropriate material. Upon returning to class students are expected to be fully prepared: ready to participate, turn in assignments, and take quizzes or exams as scheduled. When/if you miss a class meeting, you can be certain that you missed a quiz (see below).

Quizzes will be done in class, although most can be prepared for before class. They may be announced or unannounced; they cover what has either been assigned or recently presented. Most will check grammar assignments, including verbs in all tenses. Whatever the items or skills that a quiz assesses, it allows the student more practice, provides, also, an idea as to how well one is progressing and able to produce under test-like conditions. Among other things, they prepare a student for exams. Quizzes are not busywork (none of us has time for that!); each one has a teaching or learning point behind it. Quizzes will be numerous; and may not be made up if missed. Each class meeting, there will be a quiz worth at least five points. Since they will be numerous, you may well miss some or do poorly on others. Rather than drop a certain number of quizzes, your quiz average will be curved approximately ten percent to allow for the normal vicissitudes of life.

Exams: Both exams are meant to gauge your progress toward the course goals with an efficient use of exam time. They test the language skills you are acquiring, and are not limited to simply covering language content: material, pages, exercises or tables that can be memorized on short order. For both, consequently, you will speak French, listen to French, read some French and write French -- and not merely rehash specific phrases, vocabulary or exercises. The day and time of the final exam are established by the Registrar. Whereas there may be changes on the syllabus below, the day and time of the final exam are absolute. Please do not make plans, therefore, at variance with our scheduled final exam.

Tests and quizzes: Quizzes will be numerous, and will be given as often as possible. Quizzes, as a rule, may not be made up, neither may they be retaken. Quizzes count only 20% of the course grade because they are intended primarily to indicate how thoroughly you have learned the material and how well your language skills are progressing, as well as to prepare for exams. There will be no make up tests. If absent, one should contact me before the next class meeting – not to explain or excuse the absence, but in order to find out what was accomplished and, especially, what is to be prepared outside of class. If you anticipate a problem with taking an exam when it is scheduled, or if you should miss an exam, contact me at your earliest opportunity!

For grading purposes, I will assign a value to each day according to the following participation point scheme:

• 0 = absent,
• 1 = late or left early,
• 2 = present w/o actively volunteering,
• 3 = some voluntary participation,
• 4 = much / repeated voluntary participation

Expectations, in summary, are as follows. Students are expected 1) to study, do assignments, and prepare for class, 2) to attend class, contribute and participate during class, 3) avail themselves of resources, and to seek help from instructor when appropriate, including during office hours or by appointment, 4) to demonstrate knowledge and language skills in progress against what is expected, 5) to work, for instance, on pronunciation, listening comprehension and recognition of spoken vocabulary, 6) to submit by deadlines work required, 7) to turn in for a grade the student’s own work and, of course, not to permit work to be used by another for his/her graded assignments. 8) to stay abreast of announcements, assignments and changes in the syllabus at least three times each week. 9) to keep cell phones turned off and silent during class; to keep cell phones and other electronic devices capable of communication/data retrieval out of sight during all graded activities. The instructor is expected 1) to be prepared for teaching each class session, 2) to offer clear examples and explanations, 3) to encourage participation from students, 4) provide opportunities for you to hear, speak, write and read French and to offer, specifically, as much oral practice in class as possible, 5) to meet with students during office hours and by appointment outside of class, 6) to be fair-minded at all times, 7) to respect students, and their beliefs and opinions, 8) to challenge students to meet the course goals as fully as possible. (Click on statement on teaching to read my thoughts on the entire subject.)

Study some French every day without exception and you will discover why language courses used to meet daily. The best way to learn, to meet course objectives and to maximize benefits derived from study of French is without a doubt to study some French every day. You will not be particularly successful if you learn the material for the moment only. What you learn for Module 1 or for Quiz 2 you will need to retain throughout the semester and specifically for the final exam which is cumulative.

Resources available include the textbook, Motifs, the audio CD accompanying Motifs, the multimedia CD accompanying Motifs, consultations and extra practice during office hours. I can find more resources for anyone needing more than these, and would be pleased to do so. For additional resources for individuals, click here.

Course Grade -- sources & weights:

• Class Participation:
• Quizzes:
• Midterm Exam:
• Final Exam: