METHOD
OBJECTIVES
STUDENT
INFORMATION MAIN
PAGE METHOD
OBJECTIVES
STUDENT
INFORMATION
Your enjoyment and success in this course depends mostly on your attitude and the way in which you approach the class. In this page, you will find suggestions on how to best use your time in the classroom and be as well prepared as you can before class and before exams. Some of the study habits suggested here may conflict with what you were doing (or told to do) in previous language classes, or the way in which you have been successfully studying in other disciplines. However, keep an open mind! Language learning is quite different from other disciplines, and the advice provided here will best help you prepare for the kind of methodology used in our first year program at Rice.
Attendance
The first piece of advice is simple. Come to class. In our program, attendance is not a matter of policy, but of pedagogy. First, since language learning crucially depends on the amount of French you hear and process, there is no substitute for the kind of "teacher talk" provided by your instructor. Secondly, the activities students perform in class are always interactive, and often done in groups. It is therefore important that all students have access to the same lexical, structural, and cultural base, in order for the group to move forward. If a single student is dragging behind, everyone's progress is slowed. I am aware that students sometimes feel that they are better off staying home and studying the material that actually coming to class. In the case of our program, this is not only false but also unfair to your fellow classmates.
Participation
Participation is kept separate from attendance because, important as it is, simply attending the course is not enough. You need to take an active part in the class dynamics. An active student is not satisfied with merely answering questions from the instructor, but constantly interacts with both instructors and classmates. Active participation does not mean that each student should constantly be speaking, but that s/he is always available for discussion. This is particularly important during group activities, where each person has to assume responsibility for some of the group's task.
During class
Our classes are taught entirely in French. This is actually a lot of fun when you get into it! You will not be able to understand every single word (if you do you are in the wrong class), but you should always be able to understand the "gist" of the message. It is quite important to accept the fact that from the beginning, you will be able to understand concepts directly in French, without resorting to their English translation. Your goal in class should be to focus on understanding, rather than translating. Your French comprehension will increase more rapidly if you simply "let go" of your native language during the class period. This can only be done if you are relaxed, and confident in your own developing French abilities. Focus on the global message, and the more fined grained lexical understanding will come in due time.
The same kind of attitude applies to speaking. One of the most frustrating aspects of foreign language learning for adults concerns not being able to speak at the same level as we operate in our native language. However, it is essential to restrict your communications to what you can say in French, rather than look for ideas in your native language and translate them. You will be amazed how much you can actually say in French, and you will avoid the frustration of constantly looking for words and grammatical structures. Also bear in mind that you can always provide some kind of response. Some of these responses may not be in the form of elaborate sentences, but that's perfectly fine. It is more important to show your understanding than worry about the formation of your sentence. Also remember that our participation in a discussion is not always fully grammatical, even in our native language. Don't be afraid to answer, react, question, participate, even if the language you are using is not up to your standards in your own language, and above all, do not hesitate to ask anyone (especially your instructor) to repeat!
Getting ready for class
The best preparation for class is to read the chapter ahead. You do not need to do the exercises, but you should familiarize yourself with the overall chapter, the kind of vocabulary and grammatical structures that will be presented to you (the grammar is contained in the blue pages at the end of each chapter). When you get to class, however, do not be on the lookout for particular words or structures you have read about. Remember, the emphasis is on the message, not on the production of particular structures.
Also remember that pleasure activities in French (such as reading or net surfing) also constitute very good preparation for class. Even though the passage you read or the sites you visited may not cover the same lexical range as your lesson, any use of French material will increase your confidence and competence in the language.
Studying for quizzes and exams
It is impossible to cram for a language exam. The only possible preparation is class attendance and participation, as well as diligent work throughout the semester. If you prepare for each class, you will find that little specific preparation is necessary for the exams. For the reading and listening quizzes, you can prepare by reading and listening to French, at home or in the language lab. This will familiarize you with written or spoken French, and the quizzes will seem easier. For the vocabulary quizzes (as well as for studying in general), stay away from translation. Rather, you should try to associate specific words to images, contexts, or situations. Contextualized learning will last much longer than word for word translation. This means that the use of the traditional translation-based flash cards is strongly discouraged. Instead, a possible card would include the French word and a picture (if possible), a particular situation this word came up in, or a specific sentence (or sentences) where the word is used. Any trick is encouraged that associates a French word to a context, and not an English word (or any word in another language). Remember once again that you are trying to increase your understanding of French without invoking your native language.
As indicated on the syllabus, there will be two exams during the semester and one final as well as quizzes. the dates are indicated on the syllabus, so that you can prepare accordingly. If the instructor feels the need to make a slight change to the syllabus, you will be informed.
What about grammar?
Unfortunately, learning a foreign language has often been equated with learning specific structures and grammatical paradigms. These structures are indeed important, but they do not have any particular status in the language learning process. They contribute to meaning in ways equally important (if different) to lexical words, but they do "produce more learning". Consequently, our approach does not grant them any particular importance. You will be expected to be able to use grammatical forms, not describe or recite them. Our approach to grammatical phenomena will be inductive, in the sense that your instructor will lead you to infer the relevant grammatical generalizations as they emerge from language use, and not the reverse. Therefore, s/he will not give you rules and ask you to apply them, but will point to specific patterns of generality (rules) that emerge from the language you have already produced. Grammar, as everything else in language, contributes to meaning, and will be presented as such.
Language resource center
The audio part represents an important part of the first-year program at Rice. Deux Mondes comes with a very good lab program. You need to listen to the tapes and fill out the workbook. Audio and video files are digitized and easily accessible on and off campus. To access the files, go to Language Resource Center (your instructor will give you the necessary passwords in class). You are encouraged to do the work in the workbook gradually, as the corresponding lesson is presented in class, rather than waiting until the day before the chapter is due.Here again, last minute work does not pay. After you have completed the exercises, check the answer key as the back of your workbook. Please correct your errors with a red pen. You are also encouraged to visit the Learning Resource center regularly and familiarize yourself with their variety of audio, video, interactive programs in different modalities. These programs constitute an important resource you need to tap into.