French Ab Initio program

French ab initio is for a beginner who: has little or no previous experience of the language is taught outside the country or countries where the language is spoken.

Ab Initio French (SL only) What is this course about? French Ab Initio aims to develop each of the Primary skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) to a similar level of competence. The course focuses on everyday situations and aspects of the culture related to the students. This ensures that appropriate emphasis is placed on communication. Students will also learn to value the link between language and culture, and language and knowledge through links beyond the French classroom to TOK and other subject areas.

Types of Homework Students will be given regular homework tasks to support their language development. Typical tasks include short reading passages, short writing tasks, listening and speaking tasks. Development and reinforcement of vocabulary is imperative. It is expected that students learn and revise vocabulary daily. Supplementary materials for topics are gained through the use of text book activities. Students must also make an effort to access resources in the wider community such as television, internet and radio on a consistent basis.

ASSESSMENT OUTLINE _________________________ For first examination in 2013 Written component 75% of which: - Paper 1 Text handling 30% - Paper 2 Writing25% - Writing assignment20% Internal assessment: Oral component25% - Individual oral ONLY

External Assessment: Written component75% Two written papers externally set and externally assessed Paper 1 (1 1/2 hours): Receptive skills Understanding of 4 written texts (40 marks) Text-handling exercises ____________________________________ Paper 2 (1 hour): Productive skills Two compulsory writing exercises (25 marks) -Section A (7 marks): One question to be answered from a choice of two -- Section B (18 marks): one question to be answered from a choice of three ____________________________________ 30% 25% Writing component

External Assessment: Written component75% Two written papers externally set and externally assessed Paper 1 (1 1/2 hours): Receptive skills Understanding of 4 written texts (40 marks) Text-handling exercises __________________________________________ Paper 2 ( 1 hour ): Productive skills Two compulsory writing exercises (25 marks) -Section A (7 marks): One question to be answered from a choice of two -- Section B (18 marks): one question to be answered from a choice of three _________________________________________ -Written assignment: receptive and productive skills word piece of writing in the target language carried out in class under teacher supervision 30% 25% 20% Writing component

Written assignment: receptive and productive skills word piece of writing in the target language carried out in class under teacher supervision Change in Writing component for 2013 ?

LengthSources for the written assignment Communicative purposes words2-4 sources in the target language Description, comparison and reflection The written assignment should take the form of short written responses under three separate headings in the target language. A- description B-Comparison C-Reflection

WRITING ASSIGNMENT 20% Formal writing in a single supervised session – Max. 2 hours Completed in the 2 nd year of the course Hand-written Its title and theme are decided by the student Reference material IS permitted Student will explain similarities and differences between the societies of the target language and their own.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT SPECIFICS 2 – 4 Sources From the student or the teacher All must be listed in bibliography and those in target language submitted with the assignment Quotations from texts do not count in the word count Short written responses under 3 headings A: Description of topic B: Comparison of cultures C: Reflection

WRITING ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Section A B Paper 2 Language38 Message38 Format12 Total718 Written Asgm.Description2Register 2 Comparison3Language4 Reflection6Formal Requirements3 Total 20 Format % ↓

3 parts oral internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB towards the end of the course: -Part 1: Presentation of a visual stimulus (from a choice of two) by the student. -Part 2: Follow-up questions on the visual stimulus - Part 3: General conversation including at least two questions on the written assignment Internal Assessment: Interactive skills25% Individual oral 10 minutes (25 marks) Including : Oral component

Only one individual oral (no interactive group oral) Change in the ORAL component for 2013 ?

INDIVIDUAL ORAL 10 MIN; 25% 15 minute preparation with 2 unseen stimuli No reference materials (dictionaries) Visual Stimuli1-2 minutes Questions on the stimulus2-3 minutes Conversation 4-5 minutes Minimum of 2 Questions from the Writing Assignment Broad range topics different than stimulus topic

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Change in the course content for 2013 ? For the program starting in September 2011 Gr. 11, the themes are divided into 3 core topics The sub-topics remain the same

THEMES: INDIVIDUAL & SOCIETY Personal descriptionRoutines Relationships Food and drinkEducation Physical healthShopping

THEMES: LEISURE & WORK EmploymentHolidays EntertainmentMedia TransportTechnology Sports

THEMES: URBAN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Town and servicesWeather NeighborhoodGeography Environmental concerns Global issues

AUTHENTIC TEXTS authentic texts are used and adapted for use in the classroom… What do we use?

YES! ALL THAT AND MORE! Note these formats that students learn from and produce*: Blog*Social Networking Site*Speech* Menu*Report*Interview* WebpagePoster*Lists* PoemBrochure*Letters fml/infml* MapFilm * TimetableTravel GuideDiary* RecipeRadio ProgramArticle* Activities should have variety, learning beyond the classroom, transparency and personal development…

RESOURCES Équipe nouvelle 1,2,3 Élan 1 Vocabulaire en dialogue French dictionary Conjugaison progressive du français La nouvelle grammaire du français CDs, DVDs