FRE 101: Elementary French 1

Fall 2021
Target proficiency level: Novice Low-Mid
General studies designations: G

Syllabus
French is an official language in 32 countries, spoken by more than 300 million people
on five continents, an official language of international organizations such as the United
Nations, the European Union, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, the
International Red Cross, etc. Learning French is fun and easy and it does not take long
to reach a proficiency level where you can communicate in French.

1. Contact information

Instructor: Shannon McHale

Office: Durham Hall 304BD

Email: shannon.mchale@asu.edu

Zoom meeting room:

Office Hours: All office hours will be done on Zoom. TBD

If my regular office hours are not convenient for you, we can set up an appointment
outside those times. You can contact me via e-mail for an appointment or for other
questions and problems. I will try to get back to you within 24 hours, not including
weekends.

2. Required text and online program

Bundle: Horizons, Student Edition: Introductory French, Loose-Leaf Version, 7th +

MindTap French, 4 terms (24 months).
We will use this text and online program in FRE 102 and FRE 201 as well.

See the “Textbook and MindTap registration / Free Trial instructions” module in Canvas
for more information.
3. Course description

Prerequisite:

This is the first semester of an introductory course to French. The interactive and highly
varied classroom activities focus on practicing everyday French as used in different
social situations, with much use of various print, video and Web-based media.
Emphasis will be on the development of all skills: reading, writing, speaking, listening as
well as the cultural competence. If you believe that it is not the right course for you,
please talk to your instructor or email the lower-division coordinator Dr. Bahtchevanova
@ MarianaB@asu.edu right away.

The class meets twice a week for 75 minutes in the classroom. The remaining class
time and language lab activities will be completed online. Since this is a hybrid course,
students will submit online assignments through the Cengage online learning platform
called MindTap to complete the additional work required for the course. Please
remember that this is a 4-credit hybrid course, which means that this portion of your
online work is not homework but is part of the online course work. Students will also
complete writing assignments as their homework in addition to the lab activities. You are
expected to spend on average 4-5 hours a week completing online activities in MindTap
and Canvas.

4. Course objectives

Themes and Vocabulary Topics:

Greetings and introductions; numbers, dates and time; students’ schedule and classes;
campus life, the neighborhood, my family, daily activities; ordering food; my
house/apartment (furniture, personal belongings); hobbies, likes and dislikes; daily
activities and future projects

Communicative Functions:

Meeting and greeting people; describing likes and dislikes; describing friends and family
members; asking basic questions; providing background information (name, date of
birth, address, etc.); narrating daily activities; talking about future plans; giving
instructions; making purchases; ordering food; reacting positively and negatively to what
is said

Grammar Topics:

Present tense of –er verbs, the most frequent irregular verbs; expressions with avoir;
the immediate future; nouns: number and gender; the definite and the indefinite articles;
adjectives: forms and position in the sentence; demonstrative, possessive and
interrogative adjectives; questions with intonation, inversion and est-ce que; basic
negation structures (ne…. pas and ne … rien); expressions of time; prepositions
(location, time, manner); the pronoun “y”; most commonly used adverbs of time, place,
and manner

Cultural topics:

In addition to learning basic writing, speaking, listening, and reading skills, students will
be introduced to various aspects of the French and francophone cultures. Developing
cultural awareness and critical thinking skills necessary to acquire cultural awareness is
crucial to successful intercultural communication. Cultural topics covered in the class:
the geography of the francophone world, regions in France, French Louisiana,
francophone Canada and Quebec, the educational system in France, French coffee
shops, restaurants and bistros, French traditions, the French family structure, vacation
and holidays in the French society.

We will be using a wide range of materials to learn about the francophone world: videos,
movie clips, songs, pictures, articles, blogs, etc.

5. Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are based on ACTFL proficiency standards, see

https://www.actfl.org/publications/guidelines-and-manuals/actfl-proficiency-guidelines-
2012 for more information.

Interpersonal communication: Novice Low

ü I can communicate on some very familiar topics using single words and phrases
that I have practiced and memorized.

Presentative speaking: Novice Low

ü I can present information about myself and some other very familiar topics using
simple words or memorized phrases.

Interpretative reading: Novice Mid

ü II can recognize some letters or characters. I can understand some learned or

memorized words and phrases when I read.

Interpretative listening: Novice Low

ü I can recognize a few memorized words and phrases when I hear them spoken.

Presentative Writing: Novice Mid

ü I can write lists and memorized phrases on familiar topics.

Intercultural communication:
 ü In my own and other cultures I can identify products and practices to help me
understand perspectives. I can interact at a survival level in some familiar
everyday contexts.

6. Listing of assignments and class activities

Chapter Exams:

Chapter exams will consist of an oral (chapters P and 2 only) and a written part. There
are 3 exams scheduled during the semester, which are indicated in your Emploi du
Temps (course calendar). Each chapter exam is worth 10% of your overall grade.

Oral Exams:

A mid-term oral exam and a final oral exam consisting of an interview with your
instructor are scheduled at mid-term and at the end of the semester. You will be given a
study guide for the oral exam at least one week in advance. Each student will have to
schedule an individual appointment for the oral exam.

Final exam:

The final written exam will take place on TBD. This is a comprehensive cumulative
exam (all chapters), which will include different portions assessing listening, reading,
writing and culture. A study guide will be posted on Canvas.

Assignments:

1. MindTap:
Your instructor will regularly assign online activities on the online site MindTap. The
online component is crucial for your success in the course.
2. Canvas:
All additional homework assignments will be posted on Canvas. It is the student’s
responsibility to regularly check the online assignments for MindTap and additional
assignments posted on Canvas and complete them on time. This portion of your
homework grade will consist of a variety of assignments and online quizzes. There will
be also a series of short writing assignments that will allow you to combine all that you
have studied to communicate your own thoughts.

Do not wait until the last minute to complete the online lab work or written assignments.
It is more beneficial to work every day on your assignments so that progress is made.
There is a robust online spellchecker and grammar checker for anglophone learners of
French that you should use before turning in your typed work: bonpatron.com. You are
also encouraged to use dictionaries and grammar reference materials but do NOT use
online translators. This is considered cheating and will not help you learn the language.
Class Work:

Each student is expected to come to class prepared and to actively participate in all
class activities, such as reading, writing, speaking and listening tasks, completing
exercises, answering and asking questions, while working individually, with partners, or
in small groups. This is an important part of the process of learning, and it also provides
valuable instant feedback. There is a class participation grade in addition to the grade
you will receive on some activities completed during class time.

7. Assessment, grading policies and percentages

Grading categories and percentages

Chapter Exams: 30%

Final Written Exam: 15%
Midterm Oral Exam: 5%
Final Oral Exam: 10%
MindTap: 10%
Homework on Canvas: 10%
Class Work: 20%

Grading scale: Plus and Minus Grades are assigned

The scale is:

98 – 100 A+ 93 – 97 A 90 – 92 A-

87 – 89 B+ 83 – 86 B 80 – 82 B-

77 – 79 C+ 70 – 76 C

60 – 69 D

0 – 59 E

ASU has formal and informal channels to appeal a grade. If you wish to appeal any
grading decisions, please see http://catalog.asu.edu/appeal

Missed or late exams and quizzes

If you miss an exam or quiz due to illness or another properly authorized excused
absence, you will have to contact the instructor the day of the exam/quiz to arrange for
a make-up oral portion and to request an extension of the due date for the written
portion posted on Canvas. Students must have a valid reason for missing an oral exam
or for not submitting a written exam/quiz on time in order to be allowed to make it up or
get an extension. Students are responsible for contacting the instructor and providing
the proper documentation for their absences.
Late work policy for assignments

Late assignments on Canvas will be accepted with a 10% grade reduction per day
unless the student has extenuating circumstances and special permission is granted by
your instructor. In this case, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor and
provide appropriate documentation. There is also a 10% per day late penalty on
MindTap, and 14 days after the due date the student will no longer be able to submit the
activity and will automatically receive zero points.

8. Class participation policy

Excessive unexcused absences can and will adversely affect your final grade in
the course, since oral work done in class cannot be made up. Absences may be
excused on a case by case basis. Extenuating circumstances should be discussed with
your instructor. However, that does not guarantee that an exception will be made.
Documentation will be required by your instructor in order to excuse your absences.
You must email or call your instructor to arrange for makeup work if necessary.
Students will receive a participation grade for every class session in addition to
grades received for other work completed in class (i.e., written assignments,
quizzes, presentations, group work, etc.).

Excessive tardiness will adversely affect your grade. Being late for class will cause a
loss of participation points. Extenuating circumstances may be explained to the
instructor but documentation will be required.

Excused tardiness related to religious observances/practices should be in accordance

with ACD 304–04 “Accommodations for Religious Practices.” Excused tardiness related
to university-sanctioned events activities should be in accordance with ACD 304–02
“Missed Classes Due to University-Sanctioned Activities.”

Students that need to be absent from class due to religious observances (ACD 304–04
“Accommodations for Religious Practices.”) or due to participation in university-
sanctioned activities with (ACD 304–02 4 of 8 5 “Missed Classes Due to University-
Sanctioned Activities.”) should notify the instructor at the beginning of the semester
about the need to be absent from class and make arrangements to make up missed
assignments and in-class work.

9. Expected behavior in class

Students are expected to follow the Student Conduct and Academic Integrity policies
that are outlined in the syllabus. Here are several rules: Respect individuals. Call each
other by name. Get to know your classmates. Treat other people like you’d want to be
treated. Be pleasant and polite. Be wary of sarcasm. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the
difference between when someone is being sarcastic and when someone is genuinely
being rude. Assume that what everyone else writes or says was meant in the best
possible way.

In the classroom:

1. Students will have their device in order to participate in activities, but use of devices
is restricted to completing the activities, accessing the e-book, taking notes, and
using online dictionaries.
2. Stay focused in the target language. Any disruptive or off-task behavior, which
includes texting, constant talking, eating food, reading materials not related to our
class, will not be tolerated. Under no circumstances should you allow your cell
phone to ring during class.
3. No food will be permitted in the classroom, in an abundance of caution to keep the
risk of virus and bacteria transmission rates down. This is especially important in a
foreign language course where you are required to speak and are learning to form
the sounds.
4. Everyone will be required to wear a face cover while in ASU buildings. Face
coverings will also be required in outdoor community spaces where social distancing
isn’t possible.

Netiquette

Netiquette is defined as appropriate online behavior. For this course, netiquette includes
keeping course discussion posts focused on the assigned topics, maintaining a positive
and polite atmosphere, and using tact in expressing differences of opinion.
Inappropriate discussion posts may be deleted by the instructor.

Email

ASU email is an official means of communication among students, faculty, and staff.
Students are expected to read and act upon email in a timely fashion. Students bear the
responsibility of missed messages and should check their ASU-assigned email
regularly.

Always use your asu.edu account when sending emails, otherwise they might go into
the Spam folder. Make sure you check your ASU email account on a daily basis. Go to
the Computing Commons east of the MU to get it set up. If you don’t use your ASU
account, please make sure you link your personal email to your ASU email,
otherwise you won’t receive emails from your instructor.

All instructor correspondence will be sent to your ASU email account. Clear and
respectful communication with your instructor is key to your success in this course. Feel
free to email your instructor if you have questions or doubts. Lack of courtesy is lack of
respect, and emails lacking proper decorum will not be answered.
When writing an email to your instructor, present yourself: Name, Class and Period that
you are in. In the French culture, communication with professors is formal and
courteous. You will need to use the “vous” form if writing in French. When emailing your
professors, always greet and address them and sign your email.

Student Code of Conduct: Students are expected to know and adhere to the Arizona
Board of Regents Student Code of Conduct. Please also refer to the ABOR Code of
Conduct: Arizona Board of Regents Policies 5-301 through 5-308:
https://eoss.asu.edu/dos/srr

Please refer to the academic calendar for the deadlines to drop/withdraw from this
course: https://students.asu.edu/academic-calendar. Consult with your advisor and
notify your instructor if you are going to drop/withdraw this course. If you are considering
a withdrawal, review the following ASU policies: Withdrawal from Classes,
Medical/Compassionate Withdrawal.

10. Technology requirements and support

Computer Requirements:

This course requires a computer with internet access and the following technologies:

• Web browser (Chrome [ https://www.google.com/chrome] ), Mozilla Firefox [

http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ ]), or Safari [
http://www.apple.com/safari/ ])
• Adobe Acrobat Reader ( http://get.adobe.com/reader/ ) (free), Adobe Flash
Player ( http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ ) (free)
• Webcam, microphone, headset/earbuds, and speaker
• Microsoft Office (Microsoft 365 is free [ https://myapps.asu.edu/app/microsoft-
office-2016-home-usage ]) for all currently-enrolled ASU students)
• Reliable broadband internet connection (DSL or cable)
• Zoom https://asu.zoom.us/

Note: A smartphone, iPad, Chromebook, etc. will not be sufficient for completing your
work in the class. While you will be able to access course content with mobile devices,
you must use a computer for all assignments, quizzes, and virtual labs.

Learning Support Services (LSS) provides access to specialized software, media,

computer classrooms, consulting on technology projects, access to specialized
equipment, and training for students enrolled in SILC courses. LSS also supports
proficiency and placement testing for those courses in SILC that require it. Students
have access to LSS physical spaces (DH 65 and DH 61), including informal study
areas, computer classrooms, active learning classrooms, and studio spaces 65 hours
per week – from 7:30am - 9:30pm Monday through Thursday, 7:30am - 5:00pm on
Friday. LSS staff are available onsite to support faculty and students within the School
55 hours per week, and regularly respond to requests for support outside of working
hours. Students can contact Learning Support Services at silclss@asu.edu

Students are required to comply with ACD 125: Computer, Internet, and Electronic
Communications policy http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd125.htm

11. Campus resources

FRENCH TUTORING:
SILC Learning Support Services offers free tutoring services in French. Tutoring takes
place online, via Zoom. Please go to https://silc.asu.edu/learning-support-
services/tutoring to schedule an appointment and learn more about tutoring. I
encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity, as it is very beneficial to students
to get extra practice with a tutor.

Please refer to the following additional resources available to ASU students:

- tutoring: http://studentsuccess.asu.edu/frontpage
- counseling services: http://students.asu.edu/counseling
- financial aid: http://students.asu.edu/financialaid
- disability resource center: http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/ed/drc/
- major/career exploration: http://uc.asu.edu/majorexploration/assessment
- career services: http://students.asu.edu/career
- student organizations: http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/mu/clubs/

12. Academic integrity

Academic honesty is expected of all students in all examinations, papers, and

laboratory work, academic transactions and records. The possible sanctions include,
but are not limited to, appropriate grade penalties, course failure (indicated on the
transcript as a grade of E), course failure due to academic dishonesty (indicated on the
transcript as a grade of XE), loss of registration privileges, disqualification and dismissal.
For more information, see http://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity

Each student must act with honesty and integrity, and must respect the rights of others
in carrying out all academic assignments. A student may be found to have engaged in
academic dishonesty if, in connection with any Academic Evaluation or academic or
research assignment (including a paid research position), he or she engages in any
form of academic deceit, refers to materials or sources or uses devices (e.g., computer
disks, audio recorders, camera phones, text messages) not authorized by the instructor
for use during the evaluation or assignment; possesses, reviews, buys, sells, obtains, or
uses, without appropriate authorization, any materials intended to be used for an
evaluation or assignment in advance of its administration; acts as a substitute for
another person in any academic evaluation or assignment; uses a substitute in any
academic evaluation or assignment; depends on the aid of others, including other
students or tutors, in connection with any evaluation or assignment to the extent that the
work is not representative of the student's abilities; engages in plagiarism; uses
materials from the Internet or any other source without full and appropriate attribution;
permits his or her work to be submitted by another person in connection with any
academic evaluation or assignment, without authorization; claims credit for or submits
work done by another; signs an attendance sheet for another student, allows another
student to sign on the student's behalf, or otherwise participates in gaining credit for
attendance for oneself or another without actually attending. Students are not allowed to
use online translators for their written assignments. They are encouraged to use good
dictionaries, their textbooks, bonpatron.com and other reference materials.

13. Accommodating students with disabilities

Students who feel they will need disability accommodations in this class but have not
registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) should contact DRC immediately.
The DRC Tempe office is located on the first floor of the Matthews Center Building.
DRC staff can also be reached at: (480) 965-1234 (V) or (480) 965-9000 (TTY). For
additional information, visit: www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/ed/drc

14. Policy against threatening behavior

All incidents and allegations of violent or threatening conduct by an ASU student

(whether on or off campus) must be reported to the ASU Police Department (ASU PD)
and the Office of the Dean of Students. If either office determines that the behavior
poses or has posed a serious threat to personal safety or to the welfare of the campus,
the student will not be permitted to return to campus or reside in any ASU residence hall
until an appropriate threat assessment has been completed and, if necessary,
conditions for return are imposed. ASU PD, the Office of the Dean of Students, and
other appropriate offices will coordinate the assessment in light of the relevant
circumstances.

15. Title IX provisions

Title IX is a federal law that provides that no person be excluded on the basis of sex
from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any
education program or activity. Both Title IX and university policy make clear that sexual
violence and harassment based on sex is prohibited. An individual who believes they
have been subjected to sexual violence or harassed on the basis of sex can seek
support, including counseling and academic support, from the university. If you or
someone you know has been harassed on the basis of sex or sexually assaulted, you
can find information and resources at https://sexualviolenceprevention.asu.edu/faqs.

As a mandated reporter, I am obligated to report any information I become aware of

regarding alleged acts of sexual discrimination, including sexual violence and dating
violence. ASU Counseling Services, https://eoss.asu.edu/counseling is available if you
wish to discuss any concerns confidentially and privately. ASU online students may
access 360 Life Services, https://goto.asuonline.asu.edu/success/online-resources.html.
16. Copyrighted Materials

Students must refrain from uploading to any course shell, discussion board, or website
used by the course instructor or other course forum, material that is not the student's
original work, unless the students first comply with all applicable copyright laws; I
reserve the right to delete materials on the grounds of suspected copyright infringement.

The contents of this course, including lectures and other instructional materials, are
copyrighted materials. Students may not share outside the class, including uploading,
selling or distributing course content or notes taken during the conduct of the
course. Any recording of class sessions by students is prohibited, except as part of an
accommodation approved by the Disability Resource Center.

17. Syllabus Disclaimer

The course syllabus is an educational contract between the instructor and students.
Every effort will be made to avoid changing the course schedule but the possibility
exists that unforeseen events will make syllabus changes necessary. The instructor
reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus as deemed necessary. Students will
be notified in a timely manner of any syllabus changes via email, or in the
Announcements section on Canvas.

18. Emploi du Temps

For a detailed schedule of the content and assignments, please check the Canvas
modules and MindTap. **This schedule is subject to change.**