Beginning French, a basic introductory course, places emphasis on the development of proficiency in the following skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Students learn to function in the language within a limited context of vocabulary and structure. The course also includes a general introduction to culture.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• Communicate and survive in a French-speaking environment.
• Understand short conversations and responses to your questions. 
• Participate in simple conversations: talk about yourself and your family, ask for directions, order a meal, find a hotel, or buy items.
• Write information on simple forms and documents, and write autobiographical information and short lists.
• Acquire a high level of cultural awareness and sensitivity (from the video materials).

The required textbook for this course is:

• • Capretz, Pierre J. French in Action:  A Beginning Course in Language and Culture.  2nd Edition.  New Haven and London:  Yale University Press.  1994.
  • Capretz, Pierre J. French in Action.  Workbook, Part I.  2nd Edition.  New Haven and London:  Yale University Press.  1994.
  • French in Action audio program, Lessons 15-26. The audio program is available through the Blackboard system at no charge.  Students who wish to buy their own copy should do so from Yale University Press. 
  • Course Guide for FRE 102  This guide includes directions, assignments, and information.  It is available through the Blackboard system.
  
  For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

The course grading criteria are listed below:

NOTE:  For FRE 102, your exam average must be 70% or above in order to pass this course, regardless of how well you do on the other assignments.  Please keep a personal record of all your grades so that you can compute your own course grade.

You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers (Note: ELI exams are not given at the Medication Education Campus.) Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : ebull@nvcc.edu
Telephone : (703) 845-6567

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.