FSL420H1-F

Advanced French I
Fall 2022

Dre. Sophia Bello

sophia.bello@mail.utoronto.ca
Cours : Mercredi 12h à 15h

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This advanced course in French aims to provide students with a broader understanding
and appreciation of French and Francophone culture through the reading and discussion of a
variety of texts. Emphasis is placed on mastery of language skills such as reading
comprehension and vocabulary, oral and written communication. Students will have access to
multimedia materials, online reference and self-correction tools.

Course content consists of the study of advanced grammar concepts, advanced vocabulary, and
the reading and discussion of texts focusing on the francophone presence and influence
in the international context.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Develop strategies of self-correction to write more clearly and effectively in French.
• Express themselves orally and in writing using complex sentence structures and transition words.
• Understand and summarize authentic broadcast and media in writing and orally.
• Read, discuss, and write about advanced themes related to the francophone world.
• Research and prepare oral presentations on advanced topics of cultural and social interest.
Prerequisite
FSL321Y/FSL322H1. Students may also fulfill this prerequisite requirement based on the results of their
French Placement Test.

Exclusions
FSL421Y1, FSL442H1, FSL443H1.

*THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO NATIVE OR FLUENT SPEAKERS OF FRENCH.

**Note that you will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you must withdraw from a course for
failing to have the necessary prerequisites or for not following the Placement Test recommendation. This
decision may not be appealed.
Required texts
A. Vercollier, C. Vercollier et K. Bourlier Difficultés expliquées du français - for English speakers. Paris,
CLE International, 2004.
A. Vercollier, C. Vercollier et K. Bourlier Difficultés expliquées du français - for English speakers (corrigé).
Paris, CLE International, 2004.

Course Reader – Quercus

Course content will be made available to students in the form of course Modules. The Modules are
documents that are prepared prior to each course; they contain a detailed list of course material that will
be covered for each session. Details related to relevant grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation exercises,
as well as course readings and other course-related material will be available in the course “Modules”. The
document(s) will be uploaded to the course Quercus Web page on a weekly basis.
Students are expected to download the course “Modules” in order to access and complete course content.

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Recommended texts
M. Grevisse [et M. Lits]. Le petit Grevisse. Grammaire française. 32nd Ed. Bruxelles, DeBoeck-Duculot,
2009.

The Collins-Robert French-English English-French Dictionary Unabridged. 8th Ed. Paris-Toronto, Collins &
Dictionnaires Le Robert, 2008. [Or a more recent edition]
Le petit Robert. Edited by Alain Rey et al. Paris, Dictionnaires Le Robert. [Any recent edition]

GRADING AND ASSESSMENT

• Assignments 40%
Composition (20%)
Cultural Project [Oral Production] (20%)
• Tests 50%
Listening & Reading Comprehension Test (25%)
Grammar and Vocabulary Test (25%)
• Overall Assessment and Active Participation 10%
TOTAL 100%

Composition: The composition will be written in-class on October 5. Course policies regarding absences from
tests will apply for students who are absent for the in-class composition.

Cultural Project: Students will prepare and submit a video related to the cultural themes studied in class.
Assignment details will be provided before the due date. Grading will reflect your mastery of spoken French as
well as your ability to prepare an organized, well-articulated presentation of your chosen topic in French. The
evaluation will be based on the quality of expression (grammar, sentence complexity, vocabulary, pronunciation,
expressivity, and clarity) as well as the content provided.

Listening & Reading Comprehension Test: This test will focus on your comprehension skills. The test will have
two parts: (i) questions on the vocabulary and thematic content of a real audio document and (ii) questions
related to the main and secondary themes of a 3-4 page text as well as questions on vocabulary.

Grammar and Vocabulary Test: This test will cover all the vocabulary and grammatical structures covered
throughout the semester.

Overall assessment: Language learning is a cumulative process. Regular preparation of the course material
is essential for steady progress and good performance. This portion of your final grade will be based on overall
oral and written language improvement, course average, class attendance and active participation.
Participation includes regular attendance, interest in the course, level of preparedness for each class, and
active participation in class discussions, group work, and other relevant activities.

Note: A penalty of 10% per day will be applied per (partial) day including weekends to all late assignments.

Assignments that are submitted more than seven days late will not be accepted.

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 CALENDRIER
DEDF = Difficultés expliquées du français
DATE MODULES TESTS & TRAVAUX
Semaine 1 Introduction au cours
14 septembre
Semaine 2 Module 1 : « Les bonnes manières en disent long sur vous
21 septembre » Vidéo « Étiquette et protocole dans le monde des
affaires » DEDF ch. 21 et 24
Semaine 3 Suite : Module 1
28 septembre Vidéo « Le bureau des bonnes manières : à la bibliothèque
»
Semaine 4 Module 2 : « La gastronomie ontarienne  Composition
5 octobre » Vidéo « Enquête : Restaurants » (20%)
DEDF ch. 6 et 10

Semaine 5 Suite : Module 2

12 octobre Vidéo « McDo vs. Burger King »

Semaine 6 Module 3 : « La Marseillaise de Serge Gainsbourg »

19 octobre Vidéo « Le Bénin veut récupérer des trésors » DEDF
ch. 41 et 22
Semaine 7
26 octobre  Test de compréhension de l’écoute et de l’écrit
(25%)
Semaine 8 Module 4 : « Le questionnaire de Proust
2 novembre » Vidéo « La littérature chez les jeunes »  Projet culturel à préparer
DEDF ch. 30
7-11 novembre
SEMAINE DE LECTURE
Semaine 9 Suite : Module 4  Projet culturel
16 novembre Vidéo « Les bouquinistes » à l’oral
(20%)
Semaine 10 Module 5 : « Les arts graphiques et décoratifs
23 novembre » Vidéo « Cinq conseils pour les petits espaces
» DEDF ch. 12
Semaine 11 Suite : Module 5
30 novembre Vidéo « L’exposition Dior - Musée des Arts Décoratifs »

Semaine 12
 Test de grammaire et vocabulaire
7 décembre
(25%)

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