Silverthorn Collegiate Institute

NORTHVIEW HEIGHTS SECONDARY SCHOOL

MODERNS DEPARTMENT

Course Title: French Grade: 12 Ministry Course Code: FSF 4U Credit Value: 1 Academic Year: 2011 - 2012

The Moderns Department at Northview Heights aims to provide courses which not only equip students with language skills but also promote an interest in and a positive attitude towards languages in general. A communicative approach is used in the classroom and students use the language as they learn it.

Course Description: This course is designed for students who have completed the Ministry of Education requirement of one senior credit (FSF 3U or equivalent) in French. As outlined in the Ministry document The Ontario Curriculum Grades 11 and 12 French as a Second Language – Core, Extended and Immersion French (2000), a number of requirements exist in order to complete the Grade 12 French credit. 1. A researched presentation 2. 300 pages of intensive reading, for critical study and discussion, studied in class 3. One 100 - 150 page novel, for information and enjoyment 4. A research paper of a minimum 1000 words on an issue 5. Mastery of a number of structures and required vocabulary

Course Texts: Vive le Francais Niveau 7 Destinations – Nouveaux Horizons Grammaire Francaise (for review and enrichment)

Reading: Reading will include short stories and articles, poetry, a novel and a play. Novels will be offered for supplementary reading.

Principles: Your achievement of knowledge and skill objectives will be evaluated mainly in integrated language performance in which the skills of understanding, speaking and writing French are combined.

For example you will be evaluated on Asking and answering questions in class Participation in class discussions Small-group activities Writing answers Writing dictations Developing compositions Making presentations Key expectations of the course include:

Listening: Summarizing media works Demonstrating understanding of oral presentations and recorded text Speaking: Expressing, supporting and explaining your viewpoints in formal debates Dramatizing a scene from a play Using critical thinking skills Reading: Demonstrating an understanding of articles, short stories, novels, poems, song lyrics and plays. Identifying writer’s intent Comparing ideas in two or more texts Using research skills Writing: Writing a review of a text, movie or play Writing and presenting a monologue Writing an article or a poem to express your point of view Writing a dialogue to present two sides of an issue

Aims: By the end of the Grade 12 course in core French, successful students  have a fundamental knowledge of the language  can participate in straightforward conversation  can read, with the aid of a dictionary, books, magazines, and newspapers in standard French on subjects of interest  can understand the general meaning of radio and television news and other programs in which they are interested  can write personal correspondence with the aid of a dictionary  have a basis from which they can resume the study of French in later life have developed a basic knowledge and appreciation of the culture and aspirations of French-speaking Canadians  are aware of the diversity of the world’s French-speaking cultures

Language Skills: Successful students will be able to  understand French spoken in social conversation, in class discussion or in formal presentations by speakers or in the media  participate in class discussions  read French  considers critically what they read and view in order to develop appreciation and insight  express their ideas clearly in oral and written French  manipulate accurately the components of the language

Language Structures: By the end of this course, students should recognize and use these language structures in speaking, listening, reading and writing.  Possessive pronouns (e.g. le mien)  Interrogative pronouns (e.g. lequel)  Use of the pronoun on to reflect the English passive  Tense sequence in past narration  Use of the subjonctif présent after conjunctions  Verbs of perception and laisser followed by the infinitive  Sequence of present and past tenses with les expressions temporelles (e.g. depuis) Formation and use of the subjonctif passé of –er, -ir and –re and irregular verbs  Formation and use of the infinitif passé Faire causatif  Use of the subjonctif présent after expressions of emotion, wish, order, permission Peut-etre vs. peut-etre que  Use and position of negative expressions  Negative infinitives

Evaluation of Student Achievement:

Term work: 70 % of final mark Oral communication (listening, speaking) 40 % Reading and writing 60 %

Final evaluation: 30 % of final mark

A mid-semester evaluation will take place. Specific instructions regarding the independent research assignment, a reading list for extensive reading and samples of oral and other marking sheets will be distributed as required. Please note that attendance in class and punctuality will be necessary in order to gain marks for integrated marks, the main part of your evaluation.

Moderns Department Policy:

How will missed or incomplete evaluations impact my grade? Absences for an evaluation will result in a mark of ZERO unless arrangements have been made with your teacher prior to the evaluation. In some cases this zero will be used as a placeholder until evidence of learning in this category can be displayed. Do NOT expect to show up the next day with a note of any kind and be able to write the test/quiz. You must call your teacher and speak to him or her to make new arrangements and this will only be done if there is a valid reason.

Projects/assignments are due on the given due dates. If there are difficulties, discuss these issues with your teacher as soon as possible. This must be BEFORE the due date if any accommodations are to be made. Otherwise late marks will be deducted. Please note that ALL written assignments will be completed in class.

Leaving early for a family vacation will not be considered a legitimate excuse for missing evaluations.

Bienvenue and bonne chance!