French Language

Description: This non-intensive course is designed for students with limited to no background in French in preparation for Intensive French I the following term. It provides foundational instruction in language acquisition strategies, grammatical structures, and French syntax. Students apply these concepts to a range of in-class speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities. They develop a functional vocabulary, familiarity with French sounds and intonation patterns, and a basic understanding of French and Francophone cultures. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to comprehend brief oral passages and level-appropriate texts in French; sustain a basic conversation with a native or near-native speaker; and write effectively in French on general topics, such as family, academic life, and personal interests. The language skills and learning strategies students acquire will give them the confidence to pursue further study in French.

Course Requirements: To receive full credit for the course, students must pass the final exam which tests reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. They must also demonstrate satisfactory mastery of course material throughout the term. Class attendance is mandatory. Students are also required to participate in co-curricular activities at least twice a week. (French Table is offered Mo, Tu, Th, F, 12:00-12:50; French Coffee Hour, Th, 3:00-3:50.)

Intended Audience: Enrollment in RCLANG 150 is limited to RC students with little to no background in French who plan to take RCLANG 190 in Winter.

Class Format: The course meets four times a week and is supplemented by individual tutorials. Class time is devoted to the introduction of grammatical concepts and language learning strategies with ample time reserved at each meeting for activities that develop students’ speaking, writing, reading, and listening comprehension skills.

RCLANG 150 counts as one of the four RC courses students have to take (other RC language courses and FYS do not count).

Description: This intensive French course covers in one term what a standard first-year college course covers in two. Its goal is to help students gain a solid understanding of fundamental grammatical structures and syntax; a limited but functional vocabulary; familiarity with French sound and intonation patterns; and an introduction to French culture. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to comprehend simple, non-edited texts and oral passages of medium length; sustain a basic conversation with a native or near-native speaker; and write effectively on general topics.

Course Requirements: Attendance is mandatory in both lecture and discussion. Students must keep 3 times/week open on M, T, Th, F 12-1pm and/or Th 3-4pm for mandatory co-curricular activities. To receive full credit for the course, students must pass the final exam, which tests reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.

Intended Audience: RCLANG 190 is open to all UM students. Interested non-RC students should contact dborruat@umich.edu. Students with little to no background in French may take this class in Winter only. In the fall, they are strongly encouraged to take the preparatory RCLANG 150: Pre-Intensive French (4 credits).

Class Format: The course meets two hours a day, four days a week. The focus of the interactive lecture is grammar. Students are expected to come to class having studied in the textbook the concepts covered that day. Class time is devoted to clarification, review, and usage practice. In discussion, students meet in small groups to apply what they learned in lecture. In-class activities are designed primarily to develop speaking skills; opportunities to improve reading, writing, and listening skills are also provided.

Students should not let more than one semester (or one summer) elapse before enrolling in the RCLANG 290.

Note: As of Fall 2020, students who have begun their French coursework in the language program sequence RCLANG 190-290 may replace one French course taught in English with *three* credits from FRENCH 232, FRENCH 230, or RCLANG 290.

Pre-requisite: reduced credits for Intensive French I

Description: The goal of this course is to bring students to the expected levels to start Intensive French II 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. RCCORE 205 is taught on a semi-tutorial mode: students meet with RCLANG 190 as needed, attend co-curricular activities and meet once or twice a week individually with their instructor to focus on their individualized needs. This course is offered as an Independent Study.

Course requirement: Students must attend some 190 lectures based on their needs, participate in co-curricular activities at least three times a week, more if needed (French Tables: every day, except Wednesday, 12:00 – 12:50; French Coffee Hour: Thursday, 3:00 – 3:50). Students with their instructor once or twice a week.

Intended audience: This course is only offered to RC students who received reduced credits for Intensive French I.

Class format: RCCORE 205 is taught on a semi-tutorial mode: students meet twice a week in class as a group and once or twice a week individually with their instructor.

Description: The goal of this course, which covers in one term the equivalent of a second year non-intensive college French 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) of a non-technical nature and of general interest. Students will also gain knowledge and understanding of French and Francophone cultures. 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 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 pertaining to contemporary France and the French-speaking world. Writing skills are refined through composition assignments that provide students the opportunity to improve the accuracy and fluidity of their written work. This course includes an individual diagnosis of each student’s pronunciation with a personalized prescription for exercises. Using the online platform TalkAbroad, students converse with partners from the French-speaking world throughout the term; there is a $25 laboratory fee to cover the cost of the service.

Course Requirements: Attendance is required both in the lectures and in the discussions. Students have to keep 3 times/week open on M, T, Th, F 12-1pm and/or Th 3-4pm for mandatory co-curricular activities. In order to receive full credits, students must pass the French Proficiency Exam which tests the four skills: writing, speaking, reading, and listening.

Intended Audience: RCLANG 290 is open to all U-M students. Non-RC students interested in the course should contact dborruat@umich.edu.

Class Format: The course meets two hours a day, four days a week. The lecture component focuses on reviewing and expanding grammatical concepts. The discussion is devoted to developing speaking skills and gaining knowledge and understanding of cultures from France and the French-speaking world.

Additional information:

• Students cannot let more than one semester (or one summer) elapse before enrolling in the RCLANG 320.

• As of Fall 2020, students who have begun their French coursework in the language program sequence RCLANG 190-290 may replace one French course taught in English with *three* credits from FRENCH 232, FRENCH 230, or RCLANG 290.

Description: 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. RCLANG 310 is taught in a semi-tutorial mode: students meet with RCLANG 290 as needed, attend co-curricular activities and meet once or twice a week for a tutorial with their instructor to focus on their individualized needs. Students must pass the French Proficiency Exam in order to receive credits.

Course Requirements: Students must attend RCLANG 290 lectures based on their needs and participate in co-curricular activities at least three times a week (French Tables: every day, except Wednesday, 12:00 – 12:50; Coffee Hour: Thursday, 3:00 – 3:50.) Students meet individually with their instructor once or twice a week.

Intended Audience: This course is only offered to RC students who achieved partial success on the proficiency exam.

Class Format: RCLANG 310 is taught in a semi-tutorial mode: students meet with the RCLANG 290 class, attend co-curricular activities and meet individually with their instructor.

In these seminar-format 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 explore topics in other disciplines, mostly in the Humanities. Improvement in all language areas is nevertheless still pursued. The class sessions are discussion based, 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.  (See below for a sample of our most current readings courses.)

Additional information:

• The first RCLANG 320 replaces FRENCH 235, a requirement for the major and minor in French and Francophone Studies; the second and third RCLANG 320 count as FRENCH 270/274. 

• RCLANG 320 also count as elective in other disciplines.

• The RC language sequence fulfills the International Studies language requirement (non-RC students have to take a 6th language course.)