Academic Catalogs

FREN A280H: Intermediate French 1 Honors

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 10/20/2021
Top Code 110200 - French
Units 4 Total Units 
Hours 72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 72)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)
  • OC Humanities - AA (OC1)

Course Description

Continuation of FREN A185, with further development of language skills at the intermediate level and exploration of cultures related to the French language. Additional emphasis on reading and writing, with an introduction to selected literary works. Enrollment Limitation: FREN A280; students who complete FREN A280H may not enroll in or receive credit for FREN A280. PREREQUISITE: FREN A185, FREN A185H, or 3 years of high school French with a grade of C or better. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Demonstrate listening comprehension in the French language at the intermediate level.
  2. Express themselves orally in the French language at the intermediate level.
  3. Demonstrate reading comprehension in the French language at the intermediate level.
  4. Express themselves in writing in the French language at the intermediate level.
  5. Demonstrate a better understanding and appreciation of the cultures related to the French language by comparing and contrasting them with the students’ own culture(s).

Course Objectives

  • 1. Comprehend intermediate-level spoken French.
  • 2. Produce intermediate-level spoken French.
  • 3. Read and understand intermediate-level French.
  • 4. Express more advanced ideas and opinions in intermediate-level written French.
  • 5. Acquire intermediate-level French vocabulary.
  • 6. Understand and use intermediate-level French grammatical structures.
  • 7. Recognize the more important cultural aspects of living in the French-speaking worlds.
  • 8. Use technologies such as the Internet, online workbooks and multimedia to enhance learning.
  • 9. Value the process of language learning.

Lecture Content

Content is expanded beyond survival needs in the immediate environment and deals in greater detail with areas such as:  money matters, professions and occupations, health, social and recreational activities, general feelings.  There is an increased awareness of cultural norms, values, and culturally relevant and appropriate customs and events. Language competency includes student ability to carry on a conversation, ask and answer questions in culturally appropriate ways. Basic review of first year vocabulary and grammarDiscussion of weekly activities in the present and past tenses. Description of ones activities as a child in the imperfect tense. Discussion of eating habits Peoples physical descriptionsContrast between French and American dress fashions. Descriptions of daily habits at home with the reflexive verb-present and pastReading: Conte Pour Enfants Discussion of chores at home or in the work place and those in FranceDiscussion of lifes obligations using the subjunctive and various human valuesReading: La coverture (a fable) Discussion of outdoor recreation, vacation and ecological matters (French and American contrasted)Discussion of contrast between the passe compose and imperfect tenses while comparing past personal trips and eventsReading: Les Recres du petit Nicolas Discussion of shopping habits (French and the States) and various services (repairs, cleaning, haircuts etc.)Practice in the use of object pronounsReading: Une histoire de cheveux Discussion of traveling abroad and various means of transportation; how to travel successfully and safelyPractice of the future tense while writing and speaking about future plansReading: Le mysterieux homme en bleu Discussion of various places to visit in France; where to stay and how to use a guidebookPractice in comparing people or things and a sking questions with various interrogative pronounsReading: Une etrange aventure Discussion of health issues, diets, and visits to the doctorExpression of ones doubts, fears, and beliefs through the use of the present and past subjunctiveReading: En voyage Class review and final exam

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)

Instructional Techniques

In order to develop students language competencies, such as listening, speaking, writing, and reading, competency-based instruction and communicative activities will be adapted.

Reading Assignments

As assigned from text and other materials (approximately 3 hours per week).

Writing Assignments

Writing assignments (approximately 3 hours per week) are used at every step through the semester to practice grammatical structures and vocabulary being learned.

Out-of-class Assignments

The students will complete listening, speaking, extensive readings, writing exercises from the textbook, the workbook, and other online or offline supplementary materials. The assignments include not only short response type exercise, but also reading comprehension, more complex essays, as well as more complex activities and preparation of oral presentations. The students are also required to finish various culture-related exercises, including creation of PowerPoint slides based on online research. (approximately 3 hours/week)

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Tests, skill demonstration, problem-solving exercises, essays, etc.Short quizzes on listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural contentFinal examination

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Writing assignments are used at every step through the semester to exercise the structural, vocabulary, and expressive skills being learned.

Eligible Disciplines

Foreign languages: Masters degree in the language being taught OR bachelors degree in the language being taught AND masters degree in another language or linguistics OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Valette, Jean-Paul and Rebecca Valette. A Votre Tour, 2nd ed. Houghton Mifflin, 2007 Rationale: Desired textbook still readily available.

Other Resources

1. Selected handout material to be provided and distributed by the instructor.