French 10: Beginning French

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FRENCH 10: BEGINNING FRENCH

Professeur:Gabriela Nenciu

Bureau (office): Rabb 337

Courriel (e-mail):

Heures de permanence (office hours):Mon & Wed from 1 to 2pm and by appointment

Placement

French 10 is a beginning-level course for students who have no prior knowledge of French. If you have taken any French before this course, you need to take the placement test to make sure that this course is the right one for you. Please contact Prof. H. Harder (), and she will make the placement test available for you to take online. Keep in mind that once you have completed a language course at Brandeis, you will not be able to skip a level. If the course that is at your level is closed, we advise you to wait a semester and enroll at the next opportunity in the appropriate course.

Course description

French 10 is designed for students with little or no knowledge of the French language. The course, which is largely conducted in French, helps students develop communication skills in French and understand some basic aspects of French and Francophone cultures. Students learn to communicate effectively in simple, everyday situations. They practice speaking, writing, reading, and listening in an interactive and productive atmosphere. By the end of the semester, students should be able to communicate in simple everyday situations using French that is culturally appropriate and grammatically correct. Students will work toward these aims by focusing on the following learning goals and outcomes

SPEAKING: Acquire vocabulary and participate in original conversations in everyday settings, such as greetings, questions, descriptions, weather, directions, student life, and work. Students will practice daily through conversations with fellow students, skits, presentations of group projects, etc.

LISTENING: Understand basic conversations among native speakers. Students will be asked to identify the topic of conversations and relate details of the dialogues and the video clips accompanying the manual. Students will start to recognize French phrases in authentic documents such as a movie, songs, etc.

READING: Identify and explain the main idea of brief reading passages. Students will develop vocabulary and build their knowledge of grammar in order to read basic texts such as dialogues, poems, menus, book excerpts, song lyrics, cartoons, etc.

WRITING: Show proficiency in writing simple descriptions, conversations, and narratives. Students will complete journal entries, write emails, a postcard, a travel blog, a new poster for a movie, etc.

CULTURE: Exhibit knowledge of targeted spoken, written, and unwritten codes of conduct, for example familiarity with locations and names of Francophone countries, French regions, festivals, and certain cultural events, in addition to notions of public and private space.

Course structure

We will cover the preliminary chapter and the five subsequent chapters of Horizons. We will complete a chapter every two weeks (or 8 class days), except for the Chapitre préliminaire, which will we cover in fewer days. Each chapter is divided into four Compétences, or units, a Reprise section to review what we have learned with the help of the video(“Les Stagiaires”); a Lecture et Composition section; and a culture section termedComparaisons culturelles. A Résumé de grammaire, which summarizes the grammar from the chapter on two pages, and Vocabulaire, which lists the active vocabulary from each Compétence, are found at the end of each chapter.

Before coming to class, you will complete all of the homework and reading/ listening assigned for the day. Class time will be devoted to activities to help increase your ease of expression (fluency), build your vocabulary, reinforce specific grammar structures, and improve your pronunciation.

Course materials

-Textbook (le manuel du cours) and Electronic Workbook(le cahier), called “ESAM” (electronic Student Activities Manual) that accompanies Horizons. Joan H. Manley, Stuart Smith, John T. McMinn, Marc A. Prévost. Fifth edition. Boston: Heinle, Cengage Learning, 2012.

We use the paper textbook and the electronic workbook (called the ‘ESAM’). You do not need to buy the paper workbook or bring your laptop to class, for the workbook activities are only done at home. In order to have access to the materials, you should purchase the following bundle (available at the Brandeis Bookstore):

Text + Access Card

ISBN: 978-111-633-482

This bundle gives you online access to the ILRN system, which includes the ESAM (electronic workbook mentioned above), the Text Audio Program (for use with the book) and the e-book (an interactive electronic copy of the paper textbook).

The ILRN system also includes study aids, such as flashcards and reviews, in addition to theLesStagiaires video that we watch for each chapter, located in the Video Library section of iLrn. Within iLrn under the “Files” tab, select “Resources” to have access to the ESAM Audio Program; in addition, students receive 5 hours free with a tutor from iLrn.

You will need to create an account to have access to the Student Workstation and to materials for this course. (Please see the final pages of this syllabus for instructions.)

-Course LATTE page: ( A Brandeis-generated interactive websitealso accompanies this course. The course syllabus and other class documents, such as homework assignments that are not part of the textbook or workbook, will be posted there.

-Optional:

Collins-Robert French-English/English-French Dictionary, Fifth edition.

(many excellent dictionaries are available at the library so you do not have to purchase one; online dictionaries are convenient, but they are often unreliable.)

Textbook vouchers are available to students who are Pell Grant recipients. The vouchers are available in Academic Services (Usdan 130) on the first day of classes, and completed forms are due on the last day of the add/drop period (September 13, 2012). Students should address questions to Ms. Shari Zingle, Senior Department Coordinator, in Academic Services () or 781-736-3460.

Attendance

Language learning requires sustained practice. Your attendance and active participation are crucial for your success in this course. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the handouts (often posted on LATTE) for the classes you miss. If you have more than three absences, your attendance grade will be lowered by 10 points per absence. Three tardies/ early departures equal one absence. In the case of ten or more absences, a student may fail the entire course. If you have questions about your attendance or your participation, please feel free to discuss them with me at any time. THERE ARE NO EXCUSED/UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. THEY ARE SIMPLY ABSENCES. You thus do not need to contact me to explain yourself if you need to miss a few classes if those absences do not fall on test/ presentation days (see below for policies).

Your participation grade—which is not your attendance grade—reflects the quality of your participation in class, which includes your level of preparation and preparedness for class (HAVING YOUR BOOK AND HOMEWORK, FOR EXAMPLE), your willingness to participate in class discussion, your willingness to raise your hand, the level of work you do in small groups, your commitment to speaking French in class, and your performance during in-class activities. I judge your participation objectively; it is not a “free A” by any means.

HOMEWORK POLICY AND MISSED WORK/EXAMS

You should expect to put in two hours of studying for each hour of class (not including preparing for tests, etc.). You must complete the exercises for the date indicated. Work not in the electronic workbook is to be complete on separate paper, ready to hand in if I ask for it. We will not spend time reviewing all of the exercises in class, but we will discuss those that were difficult for you. If you do not ask questions about the assignments in class, I will assume that you completely understand the material. I realize that the electronic workbook may have glitches. I am hoping for a 100% on every assignment there (you get to correct your work as you go), but I will take 85% and above as being “perfect” work (full credit) so that you need not stress over a random missed assignment or a glitch. You can complete electronic assignments after the date if necessary, but if you don’t seem to be keeping up, I will ask you to come see me about your studying.

In terms of work besides the electronic workbook, I do not accept late homework unless you are absent the day I collect it, and it is your responsibility to give me your homework the following class period. There are no make-ups for short quizzes, in-class assignments, or presentations. If you miss one of our major exams for a very good, documented reason, you must notify me BEFORE the exam takes place or as soon as possible. A doctor’s note or its equivalent is generally required for any sort of make-up. Please let me know in advance if you will have to be absent because you are a member of a Brandeis sports team. If you have an emergency (medical or personal) and need to be absent from class, please contact your academic dean first; he or she will contact your professors to let them know about your absence. In the case of a documented medical or personal emergency, you will be allowed to complete missing work (within the realm of what is possible).

You should expect to put in between one hour to two hours of work outside of class for each hour you spend in class; studying for exams will require additional time. Please remember that the work you submit for this class should be done by you alone.

Policy on Academic Honesty

Academic integrity is central to the mission of education excellence at Brandeis University. Violations of university policies on academic integrity, described in Section 3 of Rights and Responsibilities, may result in failure on an assignment, failure in this course, or eventual suspension from the University. All work must be your own, except when assignments specifically authorize a collaborative effort. It is not acceptable for you to ask a tutor, a native French speaker, a student of French, a friend, a family member or an online website or translation service to correct your written assignments before you submit them. Any such help will be considered academic dishonesty.

Plagiarism is not tolerated in this course, and ignorance or negligence on your part is not a valid excuse. The most rampant form of academic dishonesty (cheating) these days is “cut and paste” plagiarism from the Internet. Using words, ideas, or fragments form Internet sources without documenting them is a form a cheating.

If you have questions about academic honesty, please contact me or Mr. Dean Gendron, the Office of Student Rights and Community Standards, 781-736-5070, in 201 Shapiro Campus Center.

Brandeis University Group Study (BUGS)

Because the time we have in class is short (only 52 hours in all), many students seek out places where they can extend their learning. Brandeis University provides (free of charge) group-study leaders who are available several times a week to help you improve your proficiency in French. These group-study leaders will work with you so that you more clearly understand the grammar we study in class, and they can help you improve your reading, writing, and listening skills, as well as your ability to communicate orally. More information about this service will be provided in class.

Students with disabilities

If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University and wish to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class, plesae see me as soon as possible. Accommodations cannot be made retroactively.

If you have a question regarding disabilities, you can contact Ms. Beth Rodgers-Kay () in Usdan Student Center 130, 781-736-3466.

Study Abroad

We enthusiastically encourage you to find out about opportunities for study abroad in France or in a Francophone country. Students who study abroad have a much deeper knowledge of French language and Francophone culture, and they have a chance to develop personally and intellectually. Students who want to find out more about programs should contact the Office of Study Abroad, 127 Usdan Student Center, 781-736-3483.

Majoring or Minoring in French and Francophone Studies

If you are thinking about pursuing a major or a minor in French and Francophone Studies, please contact the Undergraduate Advising Head, Professor Martine Voiret () to make sure that you understand the prerequisites and requirements.

Components of Final Course Grade

Attendance (5%) and participation (5%)10%

Homework, quizzes15%

Chapter exams 25%

Orals15%

Final project15%

Final exam20%

Grading Scale

A100-93C+79-77D-62-60

A-92-90C76-73Fail 59 and below

B+89-87C-72-70

B86-83D+69-67

B-82-80D66-63

Please note: a final course grade of C- is required in order to advance to FREN 20.

Bienvenue, et au travail!

Instructions for creating and using your ILRN account (electronic textbook, workbook, reviews, videos, audio, etc.)

Course: / FREN 10A - Beginning French - Fall 2015
Code: / DPE966[g1]
Book: / Horizons 6th Edition iLrn: Heinle Learning Center

If you do not have an account, you need to create one. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Go to and click LOGIN.
2. Click the Create account button.
3. Select a username and password and enter your information, then click Submit.

Note: Remember to write down your username and password and be sure to select the correct time zone. Also, please enter a valid e-mail address so we can send you your password if you forget it.

Entering the Book Key and Course Code

Enter the book key (see below for help) and course code (DPE966) to complete the enrollment process. The Book Key is found in the textbook that you purchased. You may already have a book key from a previous semester, or you may need to purchase a book key. Depending on your situation, use one of the procedures below. If you activated the book for a previous course, you can start at step 5 of I already have a book key below.

Once you have completed this step, the system lists the course and book on the Student Workstation home page. To enter additional books, enter a book key in the Enter field and click Go.

Note: Book keys can only be used once. Your book key will become invalid after you use it.

I already have a book key:

1. Go to and click LOGIN.
2. Enter your username and password and click Log in.
3. At the top of the page, enter your book key and click Go.
4. Click Confirm to confirm your registration information. Your book will appear under the My books heading.
5. Beside the book listing, enter the course code DPE966 in the Enter course code field and click Go.
6. If necessary, select a class or section and click Submit.

I need to purchase a book key, or would like to access a free 3-week trial:

1. Go to and click LOGIN.
2. Enter your username and password and click Log in.
3. At the top of the page, enter the course code DPE966 and click Go.
4. If necessary, select a class or section and click Submit. The course and books will appear under the My classes heading.
5. Locate the book and click buy.
6. Proceed through the purchase process. If you are not ready to purchase your book key and would like to access a free 3-week trial, follow the instructions on this page. Note that 3-week trials are not available for all titles.

Using Heinle Learning Center

To access your Student Workstation in the future, go to and log in. Here, you can open your book, submit activities, view your results, and view your instructor's feedback. If you have any questions, contact Heinle Learning Center Support at

FOR STUDENT ASSISTANCE:

1. Call toll free: 1-877-282-4400 Ext. 2

2. e-mail: or

3. IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE, There is an excellent Student’s Guide on-line which includes the most frequently asked questions:

Ilrn.heinle.com/iLrn_Students_Guide8-7-07.pdf

[g1]Où est-ce que je peux trouver ce code? Est-ce que je pourrais importer le contenu eSam de ton FR10?