French for Business and the Professions

GOALS: "French for Business and the Professions" is a course refocused to meet more precisely the needs of students wanting to incorporate a knowledge of French language and culture into a variety of future workplaces. Students will advance linguistically and culturally through an active study of the economies, business practices, labor, consumer habits and the professions in two corners of the francophone world, France and Quebec. They will personalize this knowledge through an articulation of their own career plans, comparing what they will face with the career paths of their counterparts in France. Our target proficiencies for attendees of physical classroom sessions are an ACTFL oral "Intermediate High" to "Advanced Plus" (depending on entry level), a real skill in gathering and synthesizing information from authentic sources and a true learning independence to facilitate professional growth. . It is designed with a mostly online format for attendance flexibility to accommodate those whose class and/or work schedules will not allow them to attend all classes. Yet, there will be relevant and effective activities for all physical classroom participants.

OBJECTIVES: (referred to by abbreviation Ob+number in lesson list)

1. Read assigned basic web sites on French and Quebec economies, answering all questions (for testing).
2. Follow economy regularly in newspaper articles, or radio/TV reports. Find and summarize one consumer, business, economic report every two weeks.
3. Learn general business vocabulary and personal professional vocabulary.
4. Learn (by doing) the techniques of standard business and professional communication.
5. Follow one company on the Paris or Montreal stock exchanges (also through the company web site).
6. Find and summarize 3 substantial French-language reports on your field .
7. Pass a test in Québec and French geography (minimum grade of B).
8. Give several 30-second factual reports on your field.
9. Give a 5-minute oral report on your field, teaching the class 10 field-specific vocabulary and 2 sentences on the function of and work in the field.
10. Prepare to sustain a 5 to 7 minute extemporaneous conversation about your profession.
11. Submit for testing, and be tested on 30 important vocabulary words unique to your chosen field
12. Participate in a class French email discussion list

ATTENDANCE: Student attendees of physical classroom sessions are allowed 3 unexcused absences without penalty. EACH additional absence will result in the subtraction of half a point from their course grade (on 100 scale). For perfect attendance, 1 point will be added to the final grade. Those who will have regular absences because of scheduling difficulties must see me during the first two days of class.

ASSIGNMENTS: will be specified in the lesson list below. All of those to be handed in will be typed or will be submitted in electronic form, as a Microsoft Word attachment or in the text of an email. All late assignments (not officially excused) will cary a penalty to be determined by the situation and importance of the assignment.

GRADE SCALE & DETERMINATION: 90 -100 = A; 80 - 89 = B; 70 - 79 = C; 60 - 69 = D; below 60 = F. I use a 1000 point scale, so divide by 10. Best 4 tests of 5 (France, Québec, Geography, Vocabulary, Europe) = 400, assignments and all participation (class and/or online, Ob 1, 2, 5, 12) = 200, elements of your profession (Ob 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11) = 200, comprehensive final = 200.