Course Description
See Reviews of Instructor Sally Barstow
Studying a language is an exciting prospect. It’s like breaking a code and then learning how to use it to speak to people who live in a different culture. Having a second language opens up new opportunities in life as well as develops areas of the brain that will help students in other fields. Whatever the reason for learning a language, the benefits will be numerous.
This course will build on the foundation established in French Level 1 in the skill areas of reading, speaking, writing, and understanding (listening) French. Topical units will be built around interpersonal communication, presentational speaking, and writing, as well as interpretive activities in reading and listening. Students will be able to sustain a basic conversation on a variety of topics, asking and responding to questions and making recommendations. They will be able to understand and follow the basic conversations of native French speakers. In addition, they will be able to understand the main idea of more complicated authentic documents and be able to give presentations on a variety of topics.
Various aspects of the Francophone world and French culture are woven into each unit as well. Students will develop personal strategies to build their vocabulary and continue to refine their pronunciation. They will also be given useful online links to help them practice and build their skills. Much of the focus in French 2 is on expressing and describing past events. Learning the use of reflexive verbs will help them be more descriptive of their own routines and feelings. To make their communication more effective and efficient, students will also learn how to use pronouns.
The class sizes are limited to 12 in order to allow for optimal communication within the classroom as well as teacher oversight on assignments. It is believed that students are successful when they are comfortable and at ease. Therefore, efforts are made by the teacher to work with students at their level of comfort, working with them until they are ready to go to the next level.
Face-to-face live class time is limited to one hour per week; therefore, the weekly assignments are designed to keep students actively engaged with French during the week. Lots of interactive videos, audio recordings and other authentic French resources are used to accomplish this. Developing accuracy in pronunciation and learning grammatical structures of the language are incorporated into the lessons and assignments. The course is rounded out by exploring the vast contributions the French and francophone countries have made in history, art, literature, and culture and why it is spoken as a major language on every continent in the world.
Course Structure
The class is structured around the weekly live meeting. Students can anticipate having about 3-4 hours of homework each week. Five weekly assignments are posted that build on what was presented in class, preparing the student for the upcoming meeting. In class, students can anticipate needing to ask and answer questions based on the weekly assignments, therefore it is imperative that students meet homework deadlines. . Language structure is provided to guide the interaction in class. The units last 3-4 weeks with an assessment project/test at the end of each unit. In addition to regular weekly assignments, French 2 students and higher keep a weekly written journal.
Students in French 2 will also be offered the opportunity to take part in the National French Exam, Le Grand Concours.
Weekly assignments receive the complete score, unless some correcting is needed. So, if students do their work, including the corrections, they will get a perfect score for their weekly assignments. On the assessments, more details are taken into consideration. If a student is working well and within their abilities, I give high marks.
Most weekly homework is graded the week it is turned in. Unit projects sometimes take longer, but I am patient when students have technical difficulties (which often show up with the bigger projects). I do try to give feedback and corrections in French on the assignments. My goal is to make myself available to my students during the week should they have trouble with any assignments.
Who should enroll?
Students in grades 9-12 who have completed French 1 or its equivalent can enroll. Please contact the teacher if you have questions.
Technology/Other Requirements
- A quiet environment for live class (i.e. not in a noisy area like a coffee shop)
- High speed, broadband Internet
- Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
- A scanner is helpful for turning in assignments
Evaluation and Feedback
Weekly assignments receive the complete score, unless some major corrections are needed. So, if students do their work, including the corrections, they will get a perfect score for their weekly assignments. On the assessments, more details are taken into consideration. If a student is working well and within their abilities, high marks are given.
Most weekly homework is graded the week it is turned in. Unit projects sometimes take longer, patience is practiced when students have technical difficulties (which often show up with the bigger projects). Feedback and corrections on homework assignments are given in French, within the understanding abilities of the student. Mrs. Barstow makes it her goal to be available to students during the week should they have trouble with any assignments.
Communication
Parents are encouraged to reach out to Mrs. Barstow whenever they have concerns or questions. A note will be sent should their student get behind by several weeks in their work. Parents will be included in any communication made with the student about their work. Parents are included in the Canvas class as observers of their student’s work and grades. A progress report will be sent out at the end of the First Semester; the final grade goes out in May once the final test has been graded.
Gina E (verified owner) –
This is the second class my daughter takes with Mme. Barstow and she loves it. It is an entertaining and engaging class and my daughter is learning so much that she even talks french at home with her brother who is currently taking French I with Mme Barstow this year. Both my kids look forward to their French live class because there is lots of participation and opportunities to practice speaking French in different scenarios. Mme Barstow is an excellent teacher. The course’s content is very organized, she offers content that applies to different learning styles and real life situations. She takes the time to give detailed feedback and grades assignments promptly. I highly recommend this course!
Kimberly Martin –
As a student in the French 2 class, I think the class is great! Madam Barstow does a lot of different things to try and make learning the language fun and exciting while also helping us to really learn the subject thoroughly. I especially enjoy it when we do projects because she has us all interact with one another so it’s also a cool social experience!
Anu Gupta (verified owner) –
My daughter is taking French 2 with Ms. Barstow and loves her class. Ms. Barstow makes the class engaging and interactive and offers very encouraging remarks and suggestions. She has a talent for teaching hard concepts without making it too daunting or serious. My daughter is navigating the course mostly on her own and enjoys doing her homework assignments. The online interface is easy to use and Sally is very organized and prompt with posting homework assignments, grading etc. She also enjoys the French conversation class that Sally offers for additional practice. We are very happy with class and hoping to continue with her next year for French 3.
Lynnette F. –
“My son and daughter have taken French classes with Sally Barstow for three years. Sally, certainly has the knowledge and the ability to teach French on a professional level and keep her students interested.
As a result of taking Sally’s French class, my children are able communicate in French by speaking, writing and reading. It had been a rewarding experience for our family.” Lynnette F., Fredericksburg, VA
Dorothy S. –
“In my search for a French teacher for my daughter, we were blessed to find Mrs. Barstow. She was well known and highly recommended in the home school network. My daughter loved her class and learned so much during her time with Mrs. Barstow. She made learning the language fun by engaging the students in conversation, and giving the students an opportunity to showcase what they had learned during the Christmas and end of year celebrations. During these celebrations students would prepare skits and present them to the parents. The students were encouraged to try French cuisine and prepared dishes to share with family and friends. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to be blessed by Mrs. Barstow’s love for the French language and culture which was so evident in her teaching. “ Dorothy S., Fredericksburg, VA