FRENCH 1A-HOMESTUDY

Section #41280 - SPRING 2006

                                                                                                                                 

Instructor: Linda Skaife                                                                     

Phone: (408) 741-2519                                                                                        

Office hours: M 10:30-10:50 and 1:30-2:30 T 10:30-2:00 W 10:30-10:50 and 1:30-2:30 Th 10:30-2:00

Office location: LA 4h

E-mail: linda_skaife@westvalley.edu  Please put ÒFrench 1A-HomestudyÓ as subject heading on all e-mails.

 

Books and Materials:

                 Textbook:      Chez nous, 2nd edition, Valdman et al., authors; Prentice Hall, publisher

                                       The textbook comes with a CD-ROM and 2 Student Audio CDÕs and 2 vocabulary CD's in the Audio Program, which are used with the textbook.           

               Workbook:      Chez nous Workbook/Lab Manual,  2nd edition, Scullen and Cassidy, authors

 

        Audio Program:      Chez nous Lab CD Audio Program

                                       The textbook and workbook come in a package that includes a complete Lab Audio Program on CD for use with the Lab Manual section of the Workbook/Lab Manual. If you purchased a used textbook, and a workbook without the Audio Program, see the note below.

                 Study Guide :      French 1 A-Homestudy Study Guide , Skaife; available in the West Valley College bookstore.

All course handouts (syllabus, schedule of assignments, introductory quiz, student information sheet, and verb review unit are available on-line and can be

accessed from the French 1B-Homestudy link on the following webpage: http://instruct.westvalley.edu/skaife/   

The Study Guide is also available on-line; however, most students will find it more convenient to have a hard copy for correcting textbook assignments.

 

Note: The materials in these packages are for a two-semester sequence. If you take French 1B next semester, youÕll be using the same text and workbook.

 

 

                       Other:      ¥  3-ring binder with 7 tab dividers (one tab for introductory handouts, the other six for notes, textbook exercises, workbook assignments, and corrected tests for each of the six chapters covered in the course)

                                       ¥  a pencil and pen or two pens of different colored ink (not red) for correcting

                              ¥  a highlighter

                              ¥  blank CDÕs for those not purchasing the Audio Program who want to listen to the CDÕs at home

 

 

If you didnÕt purchase the complete Lab Audio Program, you can listen to the recordings in the Language Lab or in the Library (AV desk). Or, you may have the Lab Audio Program, as well as the Student Audio CDÕs (used with the textbook), copied in the Language Lab. Take blank CDÕs, labeled as shown below, to room LA27 for duplication.

 

Note: Due to time constraints at the beginning of the semester, please ask only for the three CDÕs printed in bold below. Have the remaining ones copied later, when the demand on the lab personnel is less.

 

                                       Chez nous Lab CD 1: Ch 1 - 2

                                       Chez nous Lab CD 2: Ch 3 - Ch 4, lessons 1 and 2

                                       Chez nous Lab CD 3: Ch 4, lesson 3 – Ch 6, lesson 1

                                       Chez nous Lab CD 4: Ch 6, lessons 1 and 2 – Ch 7

                                       Chez nous CD 8: Vocab CD

                                       Chez nous Student Audio CD 1

                                      

 

Most students find it convenient to use portable CD or tape players at home and in their cars. Students are encouraged to use the Language Lab at the college as much as possible. The special equipment in the lab allows you not only to hear French but also to record your own voice and then compare it with that of the native speaker on the master track.

 

The Tutorial Center:

 

Free tutoring is available in the Tutorial Center, located in the Library building. The entrance is on the side of the building facing the Language Arts building, under the sign marked ÒTASK.Ó

 

 

The Lab class:

French 11A, a lab class, is required of all students enrolled in French 1A. The lab class is a separate class from French 1A. You will earn an additional .5 unit of credit for completing the work in the Lab Manual portion of your workbook and viewing a feature-length French film. See the French 11A course syllabus for complete requirements.

 

 

Lab hours: Hours for the Language Lab vary each semester. See the hours posted on the door of the lab (room LA27). You can work in the lab any time your schedule permits and itÕs open.

Important Dates:  
February 17-20 Presidents' holiday
March 6 Last day to complete 6-hour in lab assignment (for lab class)
March 11 Midterm Exam I (Saturday, 9:00-11:00 in the Language Lab)*
March 27 - April 1 Presidents' holiday
April 15 Midterm Exam II (Saturday, 11:30 - 1:30 in the Language Lab)*
April 28 Last day to drop a semester-length class
May 1 Last day to turn in film or cultural event summary (for lab class)
May 27 Final exam (Saturday, 11:30 - 1:30 in the language Lab)*

* Midterm and final exams will be given in the language lab, room LA 27. The tests will each take approximately one and a half hours although you can take up to two hours if needed.

 

 

Course Description

The French 1A Homestudy course is designed to teach the fundamentals of the French language. It is a highly structured course using a text, study guide, workbook, and series of audio components. In addition, there are optional aids, such as an interactive CD-ROM, a text-specific video, and a text-specific website. Students work independently, but are required to complete work, including two midterms and a final exam, by established deadlines.

 

 

Course Content

The student will study of the fundamentals of French grammar and pronunciation, and acquire a vocabulary appropriate for a first semester (1A) college course. The four skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking will be emphasized. In addition, the student will be introduced to various aspects of the customs and culture of France and other French-speaking countries.

 

French 1A will cover Chapters 1-6 of the textbook and workbook. If you would like a more complete description of course content, refer to the table of contents on pages v-vii in the text or ask the instructor for a copy of the official course outline.

 

 

General Requirements

Attendance at one orientation meeting

Completion of assigned written and oral work as explained in the Study Guide

Completion of two scheduled midterms and scheduled final exam

 

 

NOTE: Midterm and final exams are given on Saturdays in order to minimize conflicts with other classes and work schedules. If you have date conflicts, you should talk to the instructor at the beginning of the semester. Make-up exams will not be given, except in very extenuating circumstances. Students are responsible for being present and on time for test sessions.

 

 

Evaluation criteria

Homework assignments (25%)

Two mid-term exams (50%)

Final exam (25%)

 

 

College policies

This class will be conducted in accordance with policies listed in the college catalog. Cheating in any form will not be tolerated and will be dealt with according to published policy. If you have any questions about this policy, please read the Policy on Cheating, ÒStudent Responsibilities,Ó in the WVC Catalog.

 

 

Credit/No Credit

This course may be taken Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) in lieu of a letter grade. Students need to inform the instructor of their intention to do so by March 11.

 

 

Student Responsibilities:

In addition to the course requirements stated above, courteous behavior is expected of students at all times. Please be sure to turn off all audible alarms for beepers and cell phones when you enter the classroom or Language Laboratory.

 

If you decide to drop the class, it is your responsibility to go through the Admissions Office to officially withdraw. If you do not notify the Admissions Office, you will earn an ÒFÓ grade for the course.

 

 

Note to Students:

 

Most of the work in learning a language is not studying, but practicing the language skills as often as possible. Imitate the voices you hear on your CD or tapes. Listen actively and as often as you can! Then try to apply what you have practiced. Talk to yourself; talk out loud. Pretend that you are in a real-life situation and must communicate the best you can with the French you know. Try to do this as often as possible. It's much better to do a little bit each day than to try and prepare an entire lesson in several hours at one time.

 

It is important to realize that our goal is not perfection, but the ability to communicate and to become familiar with French-speaking cultures. Accept the fact that the learning process implies making errors. Learn from these errors and don't be discouraged. With regular preparation and practice, you will learn to communicate in French and gain a valuable new skill, while enriching your knowledge of language and culture.

 

 

 

West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. College materials may be available in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic format, or large print) upon request. Please contact the Disability and Educational Support Program at (408) 741-2010 (voice) or (408) 741-2658 (TTY) for assistance.

 

 

 

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