Why learn French?
Why should you learn French, or any language for that matter? It’s a good question to ask, and an important question to answer. First, let’s look at the reasons for learning a foreign language, according to the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages (ACTFL):
Students who learn foreign languages:
- perform better on tests
- develop reading skills better
- get higher ACT and SAT scores
- perform better in college and university
- think clearer
- have a more positive outlook on the global community
- are more willing to take social risks such as traveling,
- are able to perform jobs and have careers in multiple areas
Now, lets look at why to learn French, according to Virginia Tech:
- French is the official language of: The United Nations, NATO, UNESCO, European Community, The Red Cross
- French is the primary language of Canada, our largest trading partner
- There are more than 2,300 French companies in the US
- More tourists visit France than any other country in the world
- France is the 4th largest producer of automobiles in the world
- France is a global leader in areo-space (Airbus)
- France has one of the most advanced phone systems in the world
Why Learn French?
Why Learn French? Again
UNESCO Year of Languages
Where is French spoken?
French: a universal language
Why study French in the 21st century?
French-a powerful language on the planet
Who speaks French in the world?
French-the language of the stars
The world speaks French
Why learn French2?
Top 10 reasons to learn French
On the importance of knowing French
About the French language
Why is it useful to learn another language
Resources for Parents
Why is it important for your child to become proficient in a world language, other than English? That question is a good one to ask, and is an important one to consider as you and your child prepare for high school, college and the future. To be successful in the 21st century, kids entering high school now will need to be able to adapt to technology that has yet to even be imagined. To do that, they must be prepared to adapt, overcome obstacles, collaborate with others and use technology in many ways.
BE PREPARED:
- Most universities require a minimum of two years, but highly recommend 4-5 years to begin to be competitive in a global economy.
- Many UNL degree programs require four years of the same foreign language for admission.
- The Lingua francas (working languages) in the world are changing from English to other languages. Knowing only English will be a detriment in the future.
IMPORTANCE OF BEING ABLE TO USE ANOTHER LANGUAGE IN THE 21ST CENTURY:
- The academic benefits of learning a foreign language
- Career advantages of learning a foreign language
- The importance of learning French in the 21st century
U.S. Global Competence: A 21st Century Imperative: A 21st Century Imperative makes the case that U.S. global competence in the 21st century is not a luxury, but a necessity. Whether engaging the world, or our culturally diverse homeland, the United States’ future success will rely on the global competence of our people. Global competence must become part of the core mission of education—from K-12 through graduate school.
Engaging the World: U.S. Global Competence in the 21st Century: Engaging the World chronicles the origins of HEA-Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs 50 years ago, and showcases beneficiaries who are using foreign language skills and international knowledge in a variety of professions in ways that make a difference in their work, their lives and the world. They demonstrate the importance of global competence in a working world where diversity, global engagement and competition are the norm.
Resources for Students
Students – you can practice a lot on your own. Here are some great sites you can use to practice you French.
Practice your French:
- Zut! French activities to improve your language
- Begininng French practice activities
- Digital games to help your French
- French art puzzles-try a few
- Practice activities and games
- About French (Lessons and activities)
- BBC (Learn French using activities from the BBC)
- www.linguascope.com (This is a site for beginners)
- www.linguaprime.com (This is for early learners)
- www.linguastars.com (This is for intermediate students but you may also find activities for advanced classes for review)
- Apprendre le français-TV5
- Learn French with mp3
- Games, songs, stories, games for practice
- Cliff Notes for French Grammar
- Free foreign lessons
- France Interactif lessons from the University of Texas
- French Language Guide
- Espace apprendre-so many practice opportunities for reading and listening-excellent
- Free French Listening Resources Podcast
- Links to a wide variety of websites to help you learn French
Practice your vocabulary:
Practice your listening:
- French listening activities with script
- Bonjour aux amis-exercises
- French slang-l’argot-great practice
- Les santons
If you’re considering IB or AP French in the future, here’s where you can practice:
- Les themes pour IB et pour AP
- Series of listening activities and questions-great for AP
- L’environement-WaterAid au Burkina Faso
- Fantastic resources (recordings + transcripts on many topics)
- À moi Paris listening
- Langue Oral-speaking language functions and the vocabulary needed
- CultureBox-Fr3-info culturelle en vidéo
- Les infos-20 minutes.fr
Welcome to French 1
Taking a French course as an 8th grader is a valuable opportunity:
- Successful completion of French earns a student 10 hours of high school graduation credit. The grade will be a factor in the student’s High School GPA.
- Completing a high school course now provides the opportunity for students to progress through more French courses in grade 9-12, and the best preparation for college entrance requirements as each college and university has different language entrance requirements. You will need to check with registrars at colleges and universities that interest your student for entrance information. By taking language courses as an 8th grader ensures five years of language credit through out high school and offers the following advantages:
o A more supportive high school classroom environment
o A reasonable class size
o Lots of teacher and peer support
o NO tuition
French is a fun and challenging language course. To be successful, students must commit to active participation in speaking the language, patience as they encounter new and potentially difficult content, and consistent practice of new skills and procedures. Middle School Spanish teachers are always willing to help students do their best, so students should always feel comfortable asking for assistance (which may be something a strong student has never had to do before). Emerging from this course with a better understanding of self and the world can be a very rewarding experience and is often associated with learning about language and culture.
Academic grades for 8th grade world language courses are figured using the high school grading formula, which is somewhat different than the middle school formula.
- Summative Assessments count for 80% of the student’s academic grade. These assessments may include:
o Unit Tests and Projects – used to assess learning at the completion of each thematic unit
o Cumulative Tests – used to assess retention and/or relearning of previously assessed units.
o Semester Final Exam – a comprehensive assessment of the semester’s material.
- Formative work counts for 20% of the student’s academic grade. This may include the following:
o Daily assignments (homework)
o Group projects
o Classroom practice and activities
o Speaking activities, role-playing and skits
o Other – as deemed appropriate by the teacher
Please contact Schoo Middle School if you have any questions or concerns regarding French. We look forward to a great year of teaching and learning.
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