Biography

French 4 assumes control of vocabulary and grammar structures learned in previous levels. The class is designed to strengthen the grammar skills students have acquired, to introduce new advanced grammar, and to lay down the foundation for the interpersonal, interpretative, and presentational skills needed to succeed in advanced language classes. Students continue to use authentic materials such as newspaper articles, documentaries, movies, music, etc. The class is fully conducted in the target language. At the end of the course, students will be able to speak, to write and to orally comprehend familiar (formal and informal) scenarios in great detail and will be able to understand the main ideas in complex texts on concrete and abstract topics:

• Express themselves in both written and oral communication
• Demonstrate understanding of spoken and written material in the target language beyond textual comprehension.
• Connect their own knowledge about the world with the material that is presented to them.
• Develop critical thinking skills, cultural competency, and understanding of the language from a native speaker’s viewpoint.
  Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible without strain for either party.
• Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain viewpoints on a topical issue giving advantages and disadvantages of various opinions.

NOTE: Upper Intermediate requires an independent learner who is ready to explore new language topics more quickly, to begin using these more advanced concepts in real-life situations, with a strong control of concepts learned in levels 1, 2, and Intermediate, and few or no fossilized errors in expression.

Note: This course has an honors option.

Prerequisite: B or better in French 3 or teacher permission.