2. For any given day listed on the syllabus, prepare what is listed before coming to class. Grammar and vocabulary presented in Sur le vif will not be presented in class as a rule; rather, class time will be devoted to exercises which will allow you to gain oral mastery of the structures and vocabulary indicated on your syllabus.
3. The best way to learn a new language is through practice. Avoid speaking English in class. These two (2) or three (3) hours of French class per week may be the only time you have to actively use your French. Don't waste them! Experiment with the language and don't worry about making mistakes. Everyone learns from making errors. Take advantage of opportunities on campus to expose yourself to French and Francophone language and culture.
4. To help you learn vocabulary, use small, portable flash cards rather than long lists of words. Make an effort to use the words you have learned so that they become familiar to you. Incorporate these new words into your class participation, journal assignments and compositions.
5. Language builds on itself, so keep up with the work. Stay active during class by mentally responding to every question posed in the classroom. This activity will give you some useful practice and positive reinforcement.
6. The CD/tape program is an important part of French F250, as it can help you to improve your listening comprehension in French. Plan to spend at least 2 hours working on the listening segments from each unit. Don't be afraid to frequently pause and replay certain sections. Repeating after the CD/tape will give you additional pronunciation practice in a non-stressful environment.
7. Find a partner from your class early in the semester and study together regularly. Practice speaking together in French, read the stories together and review for exams together. Be certain, however, that the work you submit to your instructor is your own.
8. Check your work. There is an answer key in the back of the Manuel de préparation. Go over your homework, writing assignments and exams when they are returned to you. Make sure that you understand your mistakes. When you have questions, attend your instructor's office hours or send an email.
9. When reading, never gloss (i.e. write the English word) in your text. Instead, write new vocabulary words on flash cards or in a notebook. If you gloss, your eyes will immediately jump to the English words and you won't learn the new French words.
10. Plan to read each text several times in order to understand it. As you work through a text, anticipate what may happen next. Remember, memorizing the stories is not the goal; rather, you are working on building your vocabulary and sharpening your reading skills in general.
La maison française offers:
------La
Table française - Tuesday in Gresham Food Court-Foster Quad (5:00-6:00 p.m.)
------Groupes de conversation - informal
conversation groups meeting once a week
------Soirées-ciné - free showings of French and
Francophone films (once or twice a month)
For more information, contact:
(email: frhouse@indiana.edu) or check
the web site http://www.indiana.edu/~frithome/undergrad/frhouse.html
French Television: TV5, a 24-hour French channel, is available through the campus cable system, Channel 34.
Ryder Film Series shows foreign films, including French films at Fine Arts & Bear's Place. For more information, contact: http://www.theryder.com/ or 339-2002.
Audio Tapes: The Language Lab in Ballantine Hall (BH 121) possesses tapes of popular & classical music, poetry, drama, and interviews from France, Canada, Africa and the Caribbean.
SCOLA This cable channel provides news broadcasts from around the world, so you can watch French and French Canadian newcasts daily. SCOLA is available on the cable service in the dorms, as well as in Ballantine Hall 106. SCOLA can be viewed on Channel 29. For more information, contact: http://languagelab.bh.indiana.edu/
Video Tapes: Media Reserves in the Main Library, has tapes of French films, commercials, documentaries, etc that can be viewed in the library. Use IUCAT to search by title, filmmaker or k=videorecording and french. Franklin Hall Instructional Support Services (entrance on Indiana St.) also has feature films and an educational series, "French in Action".
Periodicals in French, including newspapers, magazines and journals can be found in the Kent Cooper Room in the basement of the Main Library.
ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE:
Briscoe Academic Support Center - 855-7313
African American Culture Center: Free tutoring to all students.
African American Tutorial Program
Ashton-Coulter Hall 100
855-9148
E-mail: deanjohn@indiana.edu
Peer Tutoring: often provided for free in campus dorms. (Students do not need to live in the dorm to take advantage of this service.) Check with dorm advisors for more information, or go to: http://www.indiana.edu/~sac/ and click on Programs/Services.
The Department of French and Italian: consult the departmental web site: http://www.indiana.edu/~frithome/contacts/tutor.html for a list of instructors who have taught various courses and will tutor interested students. The going rate is $20.00/hr.
Office of Overseas Studies
Information Center: Franklin Hall 303, 855-9304
Offers information
about the following IU and IU-related programs:
-----Paris: Academic year or semester (Critical Studies,
CIEE )
-----Paris: Summer (IES)
-----Aix-en-Provence: Academic year
-----Rennes: Semester at L'Université de Haute Bretagne
-----Rouen: Fall semester at L'Ecole supérieure
de commerce
-----Québec: Summer at Laval
University
For more information, contact: http://www.indiana.edu/~overseas/fr_list.html