French 3-Year and French 9-Year Programs
The French 3-year program is designed for students wishing to take French with minimal or no previous background in the language. The 9 year program is designed for students who have had prior French instruction either through Immersion or 3 -6 years of FSL instruction. Students whose first language is French should arrange an interview with the French teacher to discuss best placement in either the 20 or 30 level course or to discuss a challenge.
Please note that applying to take the French 30-3Y course challenge requires prior permission from the principal, the Second Languages Learning Leader and the teacher responsible for supervising the course challenge. The challenge consists of 3 steps:
- Student meets with the supervising teacher and make an initial assessment as to the student’s ability to successfully complete the challenge.
- Student submits a written portfolio to the supervising teacher serving as information for the oral interview and also to make one final assessment as to the students readiness to complete the exam.
- Student completes an interview and written exam with the teacher.
The written exam is composed of 3 parts, writing production, listening and reading comprehension. The average of the oral interview, the written production, the listening comprehension and the written comprehension is submitted to Alberta Ed and appears on the student’s transcript.
French as a Second Language 10-9Y
5 Credits | Prerequisite: 2-3 years of French (prior enrollment in French immersion or FSL course), French 9
Students will build on previous French skills to develop proficiency in speaking, writing, reading and listening in French. Topics covered in this course include Activities, Shopping, Vacations, Fine Arts, and other areas of interest. Students will engage in various language activities, based on the context, the communicative task, and the different information and communication technologies available. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to learn about the French culture through various in-class activities.
French as a Second Language 20-9Y
5 Credits | Prerequisite: French 10-9Y or placement based on interview with cur- rent FSL teacher at Crescent Heights
Students will build on previous French skills to develop proficiency in speaking, writing, reading and listening in French Topics in this course include Senses and Feelings, Close Friends, Fads and Fashion, Consumerism and other areas of interest. Students will engage in various language activities, based on the con- text, the communicative task, and the different information and communication technologies available. Additionally, students will continue to have the opportunity to learn about the French culture through various in-class activities.
French as a Second Language 30-9Y
5 Credits | Prerequisite: French 20-9Y or placement based on interview with cur- rent FSL teacher at Crescent Heights
Students will build on previous French skills to develop proficiency in speaking, writing, reading and listening in French Topics covered in this course include World of Work, Travel and Tourism, Role of the Media, Conservation and the Environment (optional), and other areas of interest. Students will engage in various language activities, based on the context, the communicative task, and the different information and communication technologies available.
French as a Second Language 10-3Y
5 Credits | Prerequisite: None
This is a beginner course for students who have no French background. Native speakers of French or students previously enrolled in Immersion or French as a Second Languages should arrange an interview with the French teacher to discuss best placement in either the 3Y or 9Y level course or to discuss a course challenge.
In this introductory course, students will learn basic vocabulary and expressions. Using this knowledge, they will be able to participate in conversations and to write fundamental paragraphs. Some areas of study include: personal interests, family and friends, sports, food and travel. Most conversation will be in the present, immediate future and immediate past tenses. Additionally, students will also have the opportunity to learn about the French culture through various classroom activities.
French as a Second Language 20-3Y
5 Credits | Prerequisite: 10-3Y or recommendation from French as a Second Language Teacher at Crescent Heights High School
This intermediate course will build on the basic vocabulary and grammar acquired in French as a Second Language 10. Students will participate in more complex conversations and written communication. Some areas of study include: personal interests, family and friends, sports, food and travel. Conversations will progress from present and immediate past and immediate future tenses to the past tense. Additionally, students will continue learning about the French culture through various classroom activities.
French as a Second Language 30-3Y
5 Credits | Prerequisite: 20-3Y or recommendation from French as a Second Language Teacher at Crescent Heights High School
This course will build on the basic vocabulary and grammar acquired in French as a Second Language 10 and 20. Students will improve their proficiency in French by using the target language to communicate factual information, to explore opinions and to express ideas. They will speak with clear pronunciation and intonation in rehearsed and spontaneous situations, select appropriate words and phrases, and communicate with reasonable grammatical accuracy. Additionally, students will continue learning about the French culture through various classroom activities.
French Language & Culture Advanced Placement
The Advanced Placement (AP) French Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentation skills in real‐life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in French.
The AP French Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions).
The French Language and Culture 30 AP is available as a challenge course upon request.
