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THE FRENCH PROGRAM

Head of the French Program: Dominique Butler-Borruat

Students who wish to fulfill the RC’s language requirement with French must complete RCLang 190 Intensive French I, RCLang 290 Intensive French II (or demonstrate an equivalent level of skills), and pass the Proficiency Examination. Students must then complete a Séminaire en français (RCLang 320). A remedial course, Accelerated Review in French (RCLang 310) is offered to students who do not succeed at the Proficiency Examination the first time. This course is sometimes taught as an Independent Study. Courses are offered in both Fall and Winter terms, except for RCLang 190 which is only taught in Fall.

Activities:

In the RC French Program, as is the case in all RC languages, emphasis is placed on communicative competence. The RC French program offers students the opportunity to practice the skills they are acquiring in the classroom in an informal setting by attending the French lunch tables and the French coffee hour, called Baratin. These co-curricular activities are integral parts of the RC French Program. As such, they are mandatory for students enrolled in RC French classes. The weekly number of contacts varies according to the level. Students should plan their course schedule accordingly.
Anyone (students, faculty, and friends) who can say something in French is welcome at these functions. Refreshments are served. There are always several teachers of French on hand, including native speakers, ready to converse.

1. The French Table is held four times per week Monday through Thursday 12:10-1:00 in South Dining Hall, East Quad. People who do not have meal contracts can bring a lunch bag.
2. The Baratinis held on Thursdays 3:10-4:00 in Greene Lounge, East Quad.

Placement Policy:

All new students must take the LSA Placement Test and talk to an RC academic advisor before registering for a class.

1. Students with little or no background in French elect Intensive French I (RCLang 190 - 8 credits).

2. First-year students with some background in French must take the LSA Placement Test and consult with an RC academic advisor to determine appropriate placement, either in Intensive French I (RCLang190 – 8 credits) or in Intensive French II (RCLang 290 – 8 credits). Placement is determined based on scores and background in the language.
3.  For students entering the program with more extensive background and who place out of the LSA Placement Test, an academic advisor will decide whether they are eligible to take the Residential College French Proficiency Exam. Dates and times for this exam (administered before the term begins) are communicated to eligible students during Summer Orientation. Additional information regarding the exam is sent via email to the eligible students.

4.  Students who do not pass the Proficiency Exam, either at the end of RCLang 290 or as incoming students, typically enroll in the Accelerated Review RCLang (RCLang 310). This course is a 4-credit review course and is sometimes taught as an Independent Study. Please note that depending on performance, some students who do not pass the French Proficiency Exam may still be advised to enroll in RCLang 290.

 

Course Descriptions:

RCLang 190: Intensive French I (8 credits)
This course meets twice a day, four days a week, and covers in one term the equivalent of a first year non-intensive study at the college level. The goal of the course is to provide the student with a basic but solid knowledge of French grammatical structures and syntax, a limited functional vocabulary, extensive practice in speaking and writing, a familiarity with French sound and intonation patterns, as well as an elementary knowledge of French culture. The lecture component introduces vocabulary and grammatical structures in a situational context with a cultural perspective. In the discussions, students meet in small groups for intensive practice of the material with a strong emphasis on speaking. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to understand simple, non-edited text and oral passages of medium length without reference tools; to be able to sustain an elementary conversation with a native speaker and to be able to communicate effectively in writing on general topics. Attendance is required both in the lectures and the discussions.  Students must attend co-curricular activities at least twice a week, more if judged necessary. In order to receive credits for the course, students must pass the final exam, which tests the four skills:  writing, speaking, reading, and listening.

RCLang 290: Intensive French II (8 credits)
Pre-requisite: RCLang 190 or equivalent
This course, which meets two hours a day, covers in one term the equivalent of a second year non-intensive college course. The goal of the course is to bring students to a level of proficiency defined as the ability to communicate with some ease, if not perfectly, with a native speaker of French, in spoken and written language, and to understand the general meaning and most details of a French text, written or spoken (lecture) of a non-technical nature and of general interest. The lecture component of the course is devoted to a thorough review and an expansion of grammatical concepts and to the development of reading and listening skills. Exposure to primary source materials (current event magazines or newspapers) and to texts of cultural and literary value develops reading ability and vocabulary. Listening skills are trained in informal conversational exchanges and in lectures on French contemporary issues. The discussion sections, which meet in small groups, emphasize the development of speaking skills through extensive practice in analyzing and discussing current topics. Writing skills are refined through composition assignments that provide students the opportunity to improve the accuracy and expressiveness of their style. This course includes individual diagnosis of each student’s pronunciation with a personalized prescription for exercises. At the end of the term, the Proficiency Exam evaluates the level of performance in communicative skills achieved by each student. Attendance is required both in the lectures and in the discussions. Students must attend co-curricular activities at least twice a week, more if judged necessary. In order to receive full credits, students must pass the French Proficiency Exam which tests the four skills:  writing, speaking, reading, and listening. Information on the French Proficiency Exam is provided below.

RCLang 310: Accelerated Review (4 credits)
Pre-requisite: partial success at Proficiency Exam
The goal of this course is to bring students to the level of Proficiency in the four linguistic skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. It is designed for students who need further reinforcement in two or more skills, but do not need an intensive course to reach the expected levels. Students work on a review of basic grammatical concepts, and on their conversational and listening skills.  Composition assignments help them improve their accuracy and expression in written French.  Exposure to primary source materials (magazines, etc.) and to texts of cultural and literary value helps students develop their reading skills. Students must attend co-curricular activities at least twice a week, more if needed.  All students must pass the French Proficiency Exam in order to receive credits. RCLang 310 is taught in a semi-tutorial mode: students meet twice a week in class as a group and once a week individually with their instructor to focus on their individualized needs. This course is sometimes taught as an Independent Study. Information on the French Proficiency Exam is provided below. 

RCLang 320: Séminaires en français (4 credits)
Pre-requisite: Proficiency in French
The French Readings course is open to all students who have passed the Proficiency Exam. In these courses, the language is no longer studied as an end in itself, but rather is used as a tool to study other subjects. Thus students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of the language to other disciplines, mostly in the Humanities. Improvement in all language areas is nevertheless still pursued. The class sessions are taught on an informal lecture-discussion basis, and emphasis is placed on student participation. These seminars provide students with a way of expanding their studies of the foreign language and culture as well as with opportunities for applying their language skills to explore their specific interests in more depth. Class attendance is mandatory, as is participation in co-curricular activities once a week. RCLang 320 counts towards the French concentration and the French minor as a French 270/274 course in the Romance Languages and Literatures Department. This department validates up to two readings courses. Click here to read course descriptions.

 

 

The Proficiency Exam:
The French Proficiency Exam is administered three times each year:  at the end of August, in December, and in April.  All RC students who have completed the second-year level or the accelerated review, including RC students who take French through LSA, are required to pass proficiency before they can take the required fifth semester Readings course.

The Proficiency examination is a five-part, comprehensive test of language ability that measures:  1) listening comprehension; 2) reading comprehension; 3) mastery of French grammar; 4) writing ability; and 5) speaking ability (interview).

 

Beyond Your Language Requirement:
Many RC students pursue their interest in their language by electing it as a minor or a concentration. In this case, a majority of them participate in a study abroad program. Some returnees contribute to the French Program by participating in the Directed Peer Tutorship Program. Some students are interested in the Service-Learning course which offers the opportunity to volunteer in the community. Upon graduation, some students decide to teach English in France for a year through the French Teaching Assistantship Program.

 

RCCore 309: Service-Learning
The objective of this service-learning course is to offer RC advanced students of French an opportunity to engage in experiential learning related to community service work. It provides RC French students with unique service learning opportunities by connecting them with partnered community organizations outside of the University setting which deal with French-speaking immigrant communities. The academic component of the course will focus on a) acquiring a knowledge of Francophone West African countries by becoming familiar with their historical, social and cultural contexts, as well as with post-colonial issues; b) developing an understanding of some immigration issues nationwide, as well as an understanding of specific challenges immigrants from these countries face in the US; and c) becoming more familiar with the history of Detroit and its immigrant population.

 

Study Abroad
A high percentage of RC students elect to study abroad during their Junior year for one semester or one academic year. Summer programs are also popular. Most students participate in a program offered by the University of Michigan, but selecting a program from a different institution is also an option. The UM Office of International Programs offers many opportunities for students of French in France, Sénégal, Switzerland and Québec for stays of various lengths:
    * Summer  - six weeks (Grenoble, Québec)
    * One semester (Aix-en-Provence, Lausanne, Dakar, Paris-History of Art)
    * Academic year (Aix-en-Provence, Lausanne, Paris-Sciences Po.)
For more information on those programs, visit the OIP website and attend the RC French Program Study Abroad Evening in fall.

 

RCCore 308: Directed Peer Tutorship
Directed Peer Tutorship is an experiential course for students with advanced competence in the discipline. Advanced students tutor, under faculty supervision, beginning students in speaking skills. They also participate in co-curricular activities, acting as facilitators. Regular meetings with faculty are scheduled during the term to discuss discipline-specific pedagogical questions, and student progress and evaluation.

 

French Teaching Assistantship Program
A few concentrators who want to spend time in France apply for the French Teaching Assistantship Program.  This year-long program, which consists of assisting an English teacher in a French school, is sponsored by the French Ministry of Education. Other students may look for opportunities to intern in a French speaking country, some enroll in the Peace Corps.  Opportunities for which the mastery of the French language is an asset are many.

 

 

 

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