La lavande et les parfums, les cigales et le mistral, Tintin, Astérix et le Petit Nicolas, la haute cuisine, les moules et les frites Berlioz et Bizet, Brel et Mérimée, Rousseau et Voltaire...... L'Europe francophone nous attend.

Textbook
Débuts: An Introduction to French by H. Jay Siskin, Ann Williams- Gascon, Thomas Field

Other Materials
Workbook and Student CDs
Débuts Online Learning Center

Web Sites
Le monde francophone
MERLOT
Academic Help at the Alexandria Campus

Listening
The student will also understand content referring to basic personal background and needs, social conventions and routine tasks, such as getting meals and receiving simple instructions and directions. Students will understand face-to-face conversations, as well as audio and videotapes adapted for their use, although repetition and rewording may be necessary.

Speaking
The student will be able to ask and answer questions, initiate and respond to simple statements and maintain face-to-face conversations, although with frequent errors. Within these limitations, the student can perform such tasks as introducing self, ordering a meal, asking directions, and making purchases. The student will have a vocabulary adequate to express basic needs. The student may exhibit strong interference from the native language.

Reading
The student will read and understand messages with social purposes or information for a wide audience, such as public announcements and short straightforward instructions dealing with public life.

Writing
The student’s writing in the following areas can be understood by natives accustomed to the writing of non-natives: The student will be able to write short messages and postcards take simple notes, such as telephone messages, create statements and questions recombining learned vocabulary and structures on familiar topics.

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VIDEO-BASED COURSE
Débuts is a video-based program. The film, Le Chemin du retour, and its accompanying textbook, Débuts, are a completely integrated film-based introductory course for learning French language and culture. Centered around a young French journalist who is investigating her grandfather's hidden past, Le Chemin du retour is a two-hour, feature-length film that drives students' understanding of language and develops cultural awareness. As a complement to the film, the textbook, Débuts, reinforces the vocabulary and grammatical structures introduced by the film's narrative. Be on the lookout for body language and cultural cues. Don't be intimidated if you don't get every word at first.

To improve proficiency, watch the video at least one other time outside of class. Multiple viewings are always preferred. Remember always to observe and imitate.

ASSIGNMENTS
One lesson per week will be covered in class. You are responsible for all the work in the workbook, which will be checked periodically in class.

Missed assignments are averaged in at zero, unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor.

Oral assignments are weighted heavily in this course and grades will be assigned accordingly. Written work and tests cannot substitute for missed oral assignments.

TESTS AND QUIZZES
There will one quiz per chapter, excepting test weeks. There will be three interim tests, covering Lessons 11-14; 15-18; and 19-22. Exams will include a written and an oral portion.

ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance and active participation in all classes are essential. If you must be absent, please inform instructor in advance or, in emergency cases, as soon as possible thereafter. In the event of repeated unexplained absences, your instructor will administratively withdraw you from the course. All unexcused absence will result in grade penalty.

NEED HELP?
A tutorial program exists at no cost to the student. The Tutorial office is in Bisdorf 148 and the phone is 703-845-6363. Students and tutors should only work with the Débuts materials for best results. Summer tutoring upon availability. You can get one hour of free tutoring per week. Call Tutorial office at 703-845-6325 for details.

The Language Center in AA160 is where students can go to use French software and to get help using Blackboard and other applications. Hours will be posted on the door. For more information on the Language Center, visit their website:
http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/hss/langcen/

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Grades are calculated on a point system, with a maximum of 100 points for each assignment.

Exams will account for 75% of total grade. All other assignments, oral and written will account for the remaining 25%. Attendance will affect grade. Extra credit opportunities abound.

A [100-90%]     B [89-80%]     C [79-70%]     D [69-60%]   
F [below 60%]

Last Day to Withdraw without penalty or to declare audit: Consult Schedule of Classes

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