| French |
The study of French as a foreign language forms an integral part of the core curriculum at ACST. In the Middle School, 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade students are grouped according to grade and level of proficiency.
Grades 6, 7, 8 (French I)
Middle School French Level I is an entry-level course aimed at students with little or no previous exposure to the language. It is designed to meet the communicative needs of beginners and to build solid foundations in the formal study of the language. The basic grammar and vocabulary taught center on targeted communicative functions. The goal is to guide students towards spontaneous expression by providing maximum exposure to French and many opportunities to apply language skills, notably through role-playing, to real-life communicative needs, interests, and social context. Students are introduced to French-speaking culture, particularly as it applies to life in Tunisia.
Grades 6, 7, 8 (French II)
Middle School French Level II focuses on developing the student’s vocabulary and structural command of the language. The class provides a balanced focus on listening, speaking, reading and writing skills throughout all phases of instruction. Particular attention is paid to the correct use of vocabulary and syntax in both writing and speaking. Vocabulary retention is promoted and oral language practice emphasized through structured practice exercises, dialogs, and role-playing. Students acquire an appreciation of the pronunciation, intonation and inflection of longer streams of language by listening to and viewing various audio-visual presentations related to different cultural aspects of the French-speaking world. They are encouraged by the teacher to use the correct French pronunciation in a variety of oral exercises. Students read ability-appropriate texts about the French-speaking world. Writing has an important place in the French Level II class. Students regularly complete structured writing exercises first and then compose various types of writing assignments that incorporate the new vocabulary and grammar studied in class.
Grades 7, 8 (French III)
The Middle School French Level III class provides a balanced focus on listening, speaking, reading and writing skills throughout all phases of instruction. Particular attention is paid to the correct use of vocabulary, syntax and grammatical structures in both writing and speaking.
Oral language is emphasized through role-play and dialogs using the vocabulary learned in class. Students acquire an appreciation of the intonation and inflection of longer streams of language by listening to and viewing various audio-visual presentations related to different cultural aspects of the French-speaking world. They are encouraged by the teacher to use the correct French pronunciation in a variety of oral exercises and in spontaneous production. Students read a variety of ability-appropriate texts, related to the French-speaking world. Writing has an important place in the French Level III class. Students regularly compose narrative and other types of essays incorporating new vocabulary and grammar studied in class.
Grade 8 (French IV)
In Middle School French Level IV, students continue to develop communicative, cultural and grammatical competencies through an interactive and communicative approach involving real-life situations centered on a wide variety of themes. Selected readings (short stories, magazine articles, poetry, drama, historical documents, novels, etc.,) foster sensitivity and cultural appreciation of the French-speaking world while enhancing the student’s awareness of correct use of vocabulary, syntax and grammatical structures. As reading fluency increases, the student begins to focus on developing writing skills through short, coherent essays based on their imagination as well as on selected readings.
