World Languages - French
When you enter one of the classrooms of a French course here at James River, you truly enter the French-speaking world. We study the language, the history, and the culture of the Francophone world. We celebrate French holidays, and are always up-to-date with the current events in France. Walking into French class is really like entering France. From the third year of study on, no English is spoken in class. Students are prepared to take the AP French exam, given by the College Board, during their fifth or six years of French. This exam provides the opportunity to receive college credit. The linguistic talents of James River's French students can also be shown on the National French Exam, a competition, and with applications to attend the Governor's French Academy. James River is allotted spaces for two candidates each year. Of the applicants from different regions of Virginia, sixty students are chosen to live on a campus for a month during the summer, using only the French language to communicate. All have learned many things, made many new friends, and been left with memories to carry for a lifetime.
FLES
There are many activities in which the students participate to share their appreciation of French and French-speaking cultures. Many students participate in the FLES program. The French students work in groups of three to four people to create games and activities, so they can teach French to the students in the elementary schools that are near James River. During the past years, groups have traveled to Robious, Betty Weaver, Bon Air, Crestwood, and Greenfield Elementary Schools, to share their enthusiasm for French with the young students. We are very proud of this activity, because, as students of world languages ourselves, we know that the world becomes much larger when one learns a second language, and we are happy to give the young students this chance to study French.
French Club
The French Club (Le Cercle Franais) is one of the clubs at James River which always shows a lot of spirit for the school, and for the community. The members participate in the Homecoming Parade at our school, celebrate French holidays, and watch French films. The French Honor Society is for the students who perform very well in French class; it is a great honor to be inducted.
French 1 Z 9-12
The four linguistic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as cultural and grammatical concepts are practiced in real-life situations. The goal for students is to communicate in the language at the survival level in such basic language functions as ordering food, making purchases, getting around in foreign cities; and talking about self, family, and leisure activities. Many opportunities for oral and written communications are expanded through the use and application of technology. Upon completion of the BEGINNING STAGE students are able to effectively handle basic task-oriented and social situations. They can ask and answer questions, initiate and respond to simple statements, and maintain a conversation in a restricted manner. Their vocabulary is adequate to express elementary needs. The speaker can generally be understood by a sympathetic audience. As much as possible, the class is conducted in French.
French 2 H Z 9-12
The four linguistic skills culture, and grammatical concepts continued to be emphasized and practiced in additional real-life situations. The goal for students is to communicate with increasing proficiency by discussing weather, lodging, daily routines, health, fitness, and the regions of the Francophone world. Many opportunities for oral and written communication are expanded through the use of technology. The content of French 2 Honors expands and enriches the curriculum for French 2. The students develop the basic linguistic skills at an accelerated pace and are expected to express themselves beyond simple mechanical responses, demonstrating the ability to manipulate and create in the language. The course also includes a practicum, an opportunity to put into practice what already has been learned, and combine linguistic skills with other talents.
French 3 H Z 10-12
Linguistic skills and grammatical concepts are strengthened, while cultural concepts are expanded to enable students to understand cultural differences. The goal is for students to communicate with increasing proficiency by discussing the world of work, travel in France, the Francophone world, and the French cuisine. Many opportunities for oral and written communications are expanded through the use and application of technology. Upon completion of the DEVELOPING STAGE, students are able to handle effectively basic task-oriented and social situations. They can ask and answer questions, initiate and respond to simple statements and maintain a conversation in restricted manner. Their vocabulary is adequate to express elementary needs and a sympathetic audience can generally understand the speaker. Classes are conducted almost entirely in French. In an honors caliber class of this level, students develop linguistic skills at an accelerated pace. They are expected to interact in the language-- expressing opinions, negotiating, persuading and advising. In addition, this course includes a practicum, an opportunity to put into practice what already has been learned, and to combine linguistic skills with other talents.
French 4 H Z 11-12
Linguistic skills and grammatical concepts are strengthened, while cultural concepts are expanded to enable students to understand cultural differences. The goal is for students to communicate with increasing proficiency by discussing the world of work, travel in France, the Francophone world, and the French cuisine. Many opportunities for oral and written communications are expanded through the use and application of technology. Upon completion of the DEVELOPING STAGE, students are able to handle effectively basic task-oriented and social situations. They can ask and answer questions, initiate and respond to simple statements and maintain a conversation in restricted manner. Their vocabulary is adequate to express elementary needs and a sympathetic audience can generally understand the speaker. Classes are conducted almost entirely in French. In an honors caliber class of this level, students develop linguistic skills at an accelerated pace. They are expected to interact in the language-- expressing opinions, negotiating, persuading and advising. In addition, this course includes a practicum, an opportunity to put into practice what already has been learned, and to combine linguistic skills with other talents.
French 5 & 6 AP H 12
A comprehensive and in-depth study is presented at this advanced level. In addition, the students increase their understanding of French in a contemporary, literature, historical, and cultural contexts. Many opportunities for oral and written communication are expanded through the use of technology. Upon completion of this EXPANDING STAGE, students are able to speak the language with enough accuracy to participate effectively in formal and informal conversation on a variety of topic. They may make sporadic errors when using highly complicated structures, but the errors will not interfere in communicating with a native speaker. These classes are conducted entirely in French. In an honors caliber class of this level, students develop linguistic skills at an accelerated pace. They are expected to interact in the language-- expressing opinions, negotiating, persuading and advising. In addition, this course includes a practicum, an opportunity to put into practice what already has been learned, and to combine linguistic skills with other talents. Students who take this class as an AP aim to achieve a high level of proficiency in the four linguistic skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as prescribed by the College Board.