• AP French IV Language & Culture

    The goal of this class is to help students attain the advanced levels described in ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines. I find that they are not only in line with my own state’s standards but they are also in line with the scoring criteria used for the new AP French Language Examination. As the French Program at Oak Park High School encourages a gradual transition from the beginning levels to the more advanced levels, it is natural that the exclusive use of French occur in the AP French Language course

    The textbook is on line and I make packets for the students to study the different themes of the curriculum. Allons au dela by Richard Ladd edition Pearson.
I will typically start the year with an essay on the book Le petit Prince which students have read during the summer.

    Our access to the Internet allows us to use, TV5.org, Yahoo.fr, France 2.fr and authentic websites each year in addition to other magazines such as Le Point, L’Express or Le Nouvel Observateur. I carefully select certain articles and/or recordings and develop activities for my AP course but I also encourage research for theme appropriate materials realted to Les defis mondiaux, la science et la technologie, la quete de soi, la famille et la communauté, and la vie contemporaine. I also recommend French movies in French that are used with students to fine-tune listening comprehension and expose them to authentic materials in literature and cinema. [C7]

    We practice in the Foreign language lab at least once a week.

    Overall, I make sure that students are exposed to different types of reading, various genres (roman, theater, poesies), and various styles (narrative, informative, journalistic). My goal is for students to reach the advanced-plus reading level of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.