Advanced French

Students in the advanced French Magnet Program come to Sudbrook from an elementary French Immersion Program or its equivalent. French magnet students have five 90-minute classes of French instruction per week. The emphasis on communication and authentic, accurate language usage improves student proficiency in French while familiarizing them with the francophone world.

Highlights of this program include a native French assistant in each classroom who provides an authentic model of the language on a daily basis, immersion strategies that permit optimal exposure to both the written and spoken language, the integrated use of technology to enhance student learning, and optional study abroad opportunities. Students may earn up to three high school credits in French. Advanced French students also sit for the National French Exam (Le Grand Concours), regularly scoring among the top students in the state and the nation.

Intended for students who have not previously studied French, the Beginning French Magnet Program offers five 90-minute classes of intensive French language and culture instruction per week. The emphasis is on proficiency and authentic language instruction to establish a functional language base with an integrated knowledge of Francophone culture. The four language skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing are integrated for an in-depth study of the French-speaking world. Basic conversation, blended with appropriate grammar, allows students to utilize the language immediately and focus on interdisciplinary content.

Highlights of this program include a native French-speaking assistant teacher in each classroom, the integrated use of technology to enhance student learning, and optional study abroad opportunities. Students may earn up to three high school credits in French. Beginning students also sit for the National French Exam (Le Grand Concours), regularly scoring among the top students in the state and the nation.

Sudbrook’s Advanced French program offers a three-year rotating curriculum, allowing students to study different topics for each of the years they are enrolled in this program.

 

During their time in the program, Advanced French students will expand their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills by activities such as:

  • improving accuracy in their use of  present, imperative, future and past tense verb forms (reflexive and non-reflexive)
  • learning to use the plus-que-parfait (pluperfect past tense)
  • learning to use the subjunctive mood (present and past)
  • learning to use direct and indirect object pronouns, y and en
  • using the comparative and superlative verb forms
  • learning to use the conditional mood
  • using conditional sentences to express results and hypothetical conditions
  • studying French history in depth, from the Middle Ages through the French Revolution and the Terror that followed, including the rise and fall of the French monarchy
  • learning about French châteaux and their histories
  • learning about France during World WarII
  • learning about the realist, impressionist, post-impressionist, fauvist and surrealist art movements and creating their own paintings
  • learning about prehistoric cave art and the Grotte de Lascaux
  • reading a variety of literary texts in French from different genres (fiction, non-fiction, plays, fables, poetry, theatre of the absurd, etc.) and creating projects based on those readings
  • adopting an Escargot, talking and writing about his/her adventures
  • talking about household chores
  • learning about environmental issues, including those that are particularly relevant to Francophone Africa, endangered land and marine species, eco-tourism, and understanding their own carbon footprint
  • creating a variety of multi-media projects, public-service announcements, videos, posters, and  presentations
  • watching French video clips, TV shows and films related to popular culture as well as a variety of current and historical events
  • talking about films, actors and their personal preferences
  • reading and analyzing comic books, including Astérix and Tintin
  • learning about notable people and organizations that have contributed to society, such as the Lumière brothers, Louis Braille, Jacques Cousteau
  • creating new inventions and learning how to apply for a patent
  • learning about a variety of French-speaking countries and regions around the world, including geography and culture
  • talking about their personal style
  • describing medical concerns
  • negotiating shopping, travel and daily life situations
  • learning about French-language music, musical artists (both iconic and contemporary) and how to use those songs to better understand the Francophone culture
  • analyzing stereotypes of French-speaking countries held by Americans, and of the US held by French speakers
  • learning about significant architectural achievements like the Eurotunnel
  • learning about the Olympic Games, mascots, and athletes from Francophone countries
  • participating in the 8th grade field trip downtown which focuses on the French roots of Baltimore, particularly the establishment of America’s first seminary, the first order of African-American nuns,America’s first cathedral by touring Seton Hill (formerly known as Frenchtown), St. Mary’s Chapel, The Basilica of the Assumption, and Mount Vernon)