This document summarizes information for a beginning French class (FRE 101), including an overview of course materials, homework expectations, pronunciation tips, goals for the class, and an example introduction in French. Students are expected to practice vocabulary using online flashcards, complete oral quizzes, and participate in a discussion board to set class goals. The class will focus on proper pronunciation and having a fun semester learning French.

1. Welcome to French 101. This is a
beginning level French class and assumes
no prior knowledge of French, if you
know some French you should switch to
FRE 102.

2.  There is one place where all the things you
need for this course (besides the textbook)
reside: in your on-line course in Blackboard.
Let’s first take a look at the syllabus and course
calendar.
 http://www.genesee.edu/
 You are required to practice the vocabulary for
each lesson with the audio flashcards provided
in the MyFrenchlab on-line lab manual, they
can also be found on the Points de départ
website.

3.  As well as the flashcards you will find activities
to practice material from your book:
 http://www.prenhall.com/pointsdedepart
 The flashcards will be assigned as homework
and there will be oral quizzes given in the
beginning of class to test your retention. There
will be no make-ups for these quizzes so it is
important to BE ON TIME FOR CLASS .

4.  French has the reputation of being difficult to
pronounce. However it really is just a matter of
memorizing and practicing certain sounds, just as
when you learn to play a sport you learn certain
ways of moving your body in order to more
effectively play, you will learn ways of moving
your lips and jaw and where to place your tongue
for each sound.
 The following website we will use in order to
deepen your understanding of the rules of French
pronunciation:
 http://www.languageguide.org/francais/gramm
ar/pronunciation/

5.  Let’s take a look at the goals I have created for
this class. There is a discussion board in you
course in Blackboard that I have set up for you
to create goals as well…as a class we will create
goals for us to accomplish in this course:
 Blackboard course

6.  http://www.quia.com/pages/tdonohue10/pa
ge5 -
 Now let’s practice introducing ourselves.
 Je m’appelle Mme Donohue, comment tu
t’appelles?
 Comment ça va?
 Bien  mal comme ci comme ca (ok)
 Je suis de Canadaigua…et toi? Tu es d’où?

7.  I fully expect that we will have a fun and
productive semester. Please come and see me
whenever you have a question or concern
relating to our class. I am available during my
office hours (see syllabus) and also during
Open Lab hours (see the schedule posted out
side the Language Lab-Room A312).