French is one of the fastest-growing languages in the world! With over 300 million speakers, it’s predicted that by 2050, we may live among 750 million French speakers. It is currently the 5th most common language in the world. French is a lovely, musical, and logical language that will help develop your critical thinking and appreciation for beauty. It shares many words and grammatical structures with English, making a rigorous study of French beneficial to your grasp of your own language. However, the language’s rich history ensures copious numbers of exceptions to every rule, which is guaranteed to help you work on your patience!

This beginning French course will cover the standard vocabulary, grammar, and conversational elements of a high school French 1 course, and will as well give you a brief overview of the history, geography, culture of France. From the first day of class, you will begin working on correct French pronunciation. We’ll be building your ability to understand, speak, write, and read in French. Students will be expected to study and practice grammar, vocabulary, and memory work outside of class, including Scripture verses and practical conversations. There will be a test after each chapter which will include oral and written components.

The course is open to 8th through 12th grade students.

Course Objectives

1. Develop an intermediate-low to intermediate-mid level of proficiency in grammar and syntax
2. Memorize and use practical conversational French in real life situations (greeting, taking leave, simple questions, ordering food, traveling, etc.)
3. Gain confidence speaking French with good pronunciation and rhythm
4. Master a broad vocabulary covering a variety of everyday subjects
5. Read, translate, and compose simple written everyday French
6. Begin to understand and love the French and French-speaking people
7. Build a foundation for long-term fluency

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• introduce yourself and introduce someone else;
• understand simple announcements and spoken instructions;
• understand short and simple texts;
• fill out a form with your name, nationality, address, etc.;
• write a simple, brief postcard;
• answer simple questions about yoursefl (name, nationality, activities);
• ask someone simple questions;
• buy something and pay for it.

Texts

- BJU French 1, Second Edition 9781591663072
- BJU French 1 Activities Manual 9781591668053
- French First Year (Blume/Stein), AMSCO
- French First Year Answer Key (Blume/Stein)
- Larousse French English Dictionary: 9780671534073 (or a similar dictionary with at least 50,000 words)