Reading Comprehension, Week 11 Analyzing Multiple Perspectives on French as a World Language

Overview This lesson provides a range of four different views of the prospects for French remaining a world language, ranging from one by the French government to one arguing that French will disappear from Africa and Asia in the coming decades. Students will be divided into four sections and each will read one of the four points of view. Their task will be to: 1) summarize the argument of the article in one or two sentences; and 2) list all the reasons given in support of that perspective. The students will read and discuss their article in small groups of 4-5. In whole-class discussion, each section will report (one or two groups will take the lead) on its article. The articles will then be placed on a continuum ranging from “French is growing as a world language” to “French is dying as a world language,” and students will discuss their reasoning in ordering the articles. In a final summary exercise, each student will write one paragraph about whether they agree or disagree with the perspective of the article that they read.

First Hour Raise the question, “Is the importance of French increasing or decreasing in the world?; How do you know? Could it be that English and French are both increasing?” Hold a discussion to introduce the topic. Divide the class into four sections. Give each section one of the articles (multiple copies, of course) on the status of French in the world. Instruct the students to read the article, write a one or two- sentence summary of the article’s position on this question, and then list the reasons in the article that support its perspective.

Second Hour Have each section discuss their article’s perspective, writing one summary statement and listing reasons on one large sheet of paper. Have each group present to the whole class. On the board, draw a line with “French is dying” on one end and “French is growing” on the other. Have the groups discuss where they would place their article on this perspective. (The instructor must have read all four articles to help with this process.)

Third Hour Hold a debate. One side of the class argues that French is growing and “holding its own” against English, and the side argues that “French is dying” and will only be spoken in Europe soon. Have each student write a summary paragraph in which they: 1) name the article their section read; 2) explain whether they agree or disagree with that article, and give their reasons. Collect the student papers and if time allows, read a few and discuss them.