Cher (Dear) Parent,
Bonjour! I want to take a moment at the beginning of this new school year to introduce myself and congratulate you on your child’s excellent choice of language! French will prove to be a pleasure to speak and an asset to future careers. It is a fun, beautiful, and culture-connected language, and is still the number one language of business and international diplomacy (along with English). It is a language that can take you to tropical islands such as Tahiti or Martinique, to the plains of Africa and the jungle of the Congo, and to the northern Tundra of Quebec. It is a language of poetry and romance that has multiple historic and linguistic connections with the United States and the English language.
Although I am new to Finneytown, I taught French for seven years at Clermont Northeastern High School, was an adjunct instructor at UC, and facilitated multiple courses at the elementary and post secondary levels throughout the years that I worked as a professional Librarian for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. I have lived and studied in France and continue to make frequent trips abroad to various francophone locations. I am an active member of the American Association of Teachers of French and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, and am in my eighth year of service on the Board of the Ohio Foreign Language Association. I currently hold the double offices of Immediate Past President and Vice President, Public Relations/Advocacy. My husband and I have been living in Harrison, Ohio for many years.
I look forward to getting acquainted and to building an enjoyable partnership with students, parents, staff and the Finneytown community. Please take a moment to look over the information included with this letter. I have also attached a form for you to sign and return to school via your child so that I will know you have received this material. If you have any questions or need to contact me at any time during the school year, please do not hesitate to do so!
Merci, et à bientôt,
Sarah Shackelford French Teacher, Finneytown
French Classes at Finneytown Teacher: Sarah Shackelford, room 207 Email: [email protected] (home) or [email protected] (school) My Homepage: http://madameshackelford.wikispaces.com/ Phone: (513) 931-0712 (school) or 513-706-1488 (cell) Please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime by email or phone and/or set up an appointment to meet with me.
Class rules and expectations: are attached to this letter and also posted, along with class syllabi, on the French class wiki (http://madameshackelford.wikispaces.com/) under “French Class Information”. Each student will also receive a copy of these items and be expected to keep them in his/her French notebook.
Updates and news: I will regularly and promptly post assignments and grades on Progress Book. Our class wiki (address above) contains much French class content, useful resources for students, extra copies of assignments, when possible, and practice exercises, links of interest, etc. In addition, I will post class news of interest on the French Class Blog: http://madameshackelford.blogspot.com/
Tips for helping your child succeed in French Class: Learning another language is a lot more like learning to play a musical instrument than it is like learning other academic subjects. It requires daily practice and exposure. I provide students with multiple strategies to help them – songs and ditties, movement activities, etc., and tell them that they can use these as a means to practice French even while showering, taking a walk, etc. Many students find that making flashcards is helpful, using pictures on one side and the word on another. Research has linked repeating/speaking aloud while studying with increased retention. When learning a language, this is enormously beneficial.
Encourage your child to teach other family members, including you, what he/she has learned.
Invite your child to attempt to use the language whenever possible…with you, the rest of the family, any pets, and with friends.
Today’s students are fortunate in that the internet and the apps available with mobile technology can bring French music, radio, television, books, etc. straight to them. Links to many of these resources are available on the wiki.