Selected Educational Outcomes
- The ability to listen and to read in French at the advanced level of proficiency, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines.
- The ability to speak and to write in French at the advanced-low level of proficiency, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines.
- Knowledge of cultural universals and trends, as well as specific similarities and differences between Francophone and American cultures, including both non-verbal and verbal aspects.
- Knowledge of major historical events and their role in the development of the Francophone cultures as well as knowledge of the major literary and artistic works of those cultures.
- The ability to use technology for research purposes and as a means of communication with the various areas of the French-speaking world.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages evaluates the level of linguistic proficiency and cultural knowledge achieved by the students in the Bachelor of Arts program in French by using a variety of assessment measures. The results of the assessment activities are used for continued curriculum development and revision. Among the methods used to determine the effectiveness of the program are the following:
- An examination to assess the level of listening, reading, and writing proficiency, along with an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview to assess the level of speaking proficiency at the entry to the major.
- An examination covering appropriate topics to assess the student’s knowledge of content material related to Francophone culture, linguistics, and literature.
- An examination to assess the level of listening, reading, and writing proficiency, along with an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview to assess the level of speaking proficiency at the completion of the major.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in French
Language and Culture Track
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Area F | ||
| Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I and Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II | ||
| Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I and Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II | ||
| Intermediate Conversation | ||
Foreign Language and Culture (2nd Foreign Language) | ||
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses | ||
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Upper-Level Courses in French | ||
| FREN 3010 | French Grammar and Composition | 3 |
| FREN 3150 | French Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| or FREN 3160 | Francophone Culture and Civilization | |
| FREN 3200 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| FREN 3250 | Survey of French Literature | 3 |
| or FREN 3260 | Survey of Francophone Literature | |
| FREN 4010 | Advanced Grammar and Composition | 3 |
| FREN 4400 | French Phonetics and Advanced Conversation | 3 |
| FREN 4990 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| FREN 4980 | Community Practicum | 1 |
| Electives: 3000/4000-level course | 12 | |
| Supporting Courses | ||
| Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | ||
2nd Foreign Language & Culture (may be taken in Areas C and F) | ||
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in French
French Language and International Trade Track
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Area F | ||
| Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I and Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II | ||
| Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I and Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
Foreign Language and Culture (2nd Foreign Language) | ||
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses | ||
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Upper-Level Courses in French | ||
| FREN 2010 | Intermediate Conversation | 3 |
| FREN 3450 | Culture, Business, and Soceity in the French-Speaking World | 2 |
| FREN 4210 | Business French | 3 |
| FREN 4980 | Community Practicum | 1 |
| FREN 4990 | Senior Seminar ((to be used for internship) | 3 |
| Electives: 3000/4000-level course | 9 | |
| Business Courses | ||
| ACCT 2101 & ACCT 2102 | Principles of Accounting I and Principles of Accounting II | 6 |
| IB 3000 | Introduction to International Business | 3 |
| MGNT 3250 | Management and Organization Behavior | 3 |
| MGNT 4800 | International Management | 3 |
| MKTG 3050 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| MKTG 4680 | International Marketing | 3 |
| Supporting Courses | ||
| Computerized Office Accounting | ||
| Computer Systems for the Office | ||
or ACED 3400 | Applied Computer Technology | |
Electives (outside the College of Business) | ||
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
French—Foreign Language Education Track
The Foreign Language Education Track (French) in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages holds accreditation from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Students who are enrolled in the program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in the Foreign Language Education Track will meet all outcomes defined for the students in the program leading to the B.A. degree with a major in French in the Language and Culture Track. In addition, there are Performance Standards outcomes established by the College of Education and Human Services for the professional courses taken to achieve certification in grades pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade. There are several areas that the outcomes address that are not included in the outcomes for the content area, including the following.
Selected Educational Outcomes
- To demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the learner.
- To employ instructional strategies and research methodologies appropriate to the discipline and the learners.
- To demonstrate effective planning skills.
- To employ effective assessment techniques in evaluating learners and programs.
- To maintain an on-going program of professional development.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
In addition to the assessment procedures used to evaluate the extent to which students enrolled in the B.A. degree program in French meet the anticipated outcomes, there are measures employed to determine the effectiveness of the preparation of the prospective teachers.
- Students maintain portfolios containing sample coursework, research projects, and community activity to be evaluated before the beginning of student teaching. Upon completion of student teaching, students complete a second portfolio to determine their success in synthesizing and applying acquired knowledge to the actual experience. Components of the portfolio include, teaching philosophy, video tapes, self-critiques, reflections of the entire experience lesson plans, summary of methodologies and instructional strategies, ancillary materials, contacts, and an annotated bibliography of resource materials.
- Mentor teachers and the university supervisor furnish performance reports of the students.
- GACE II, the standard examination for teacher certification, assesses students’ knowledge of content material related to Francophone culture, language, and literature, as well as pedagogy. Scores on the examination serve as one indication of the effectiveness of the program.
- Periodic surveys of alumni who have completed the program are conducted. These surveys evaluate the relevance of the major program to graduates’ present employment, perception of success, and their personal satisfaction with the program, as well as solicit suggestions for improvement of the French major in the Foreign Language Education Track.
- As of Fall 2008, students in the B.A. French–Foreign Language Education Track must achieve a rating of Advanced-low on the formal ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview in order to be recommended for certification.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in French
Foreign Language Education Track
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Area F | ||
| Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I and Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II | ||
| Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I and Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II | ||
| Entry to the Education Profession | ||
| Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education | ||
| Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity | ||
| Exploring Learning and Teaching | ||
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses | ||
| Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all courses taken in Area F. | ||
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Upper-Level Courses in French | ||
| FREN 2010 & FREN 3010 | Intermediate Conversation and French Grammar and Composition | 6 |
| FREN 3150 | French Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| or FREN 3160 | Francophone Culture and Civilization | |
| FREN 3200 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| FREN 3250 | Survey of French Literature | 3 |
| or FREN 3260 | Survey of Francophone Literature | |
| FREN 4010 | Advanced Grammar and Composition | 3 |
| FREN 4980 | Community Practicum | 2 |
| FREN 4990 | Senior Seminar ((to be used for internship) | 3 |
| Supporting course | ||
| ESOL 4010 | Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| Electives: 3000/4000-level course | 6 | |
| Upper-Level Courses in Education | ||
| SEED 4010 & FLED 3510 & FLED 4510 | Integrating Technology in Secondary Education and Elementary Classroom Laboratory and Classroom Laboratory | 3 |
| FLED 3500 & FLED 4500 | Foreign Language in the Elementary School and Curriculum and Methods of Foreign Languages | 4 |
| SPEC 3000 | Serving Students with Diverse Needs | 3 |
| FLED 4790 | Student Teaching | 9 |
| FLED 4800 | Senior Professional Development Seminar | 3 |
| Electives | 0-3 | |
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
French or Spanish—World Languages and Cultures Track
The World Languages and Cultures in French or Spanish offers students the opportunity to combine two or more world languages in a program of study that will impart the basic knowledge necessary to participate in international and intercultural settings. The track emphasizes knowledge of modern foreign cultures and enables students to focus on one modern language while achieving speaking facility in one or two others. These tracks are foundational to advanced studies in humanities disciplines such as modern languages, history, art history, philosophy, or political science. When combined with business courses, these degrees can open up international professional opportunities.
Majors in World Languages and Cultures may find employment in business, government, education, media, travel and social services, depending upon their skills and experiences. Majors can seek out employment opportunities in which language skills are required in the work place. Such positions include translating, interpreting, and teaching foreign languages within a corporate context. World Languages and Cultures majors also pursue careers in social services capacities.
Additionally, completion of the Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) as part of this degree will prepare majors to teach English to speakers of other languages throughout the world. Internships and practicum placements and study abroad are highly recommended as study components in these tracks.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in French
World Languages and Cultures Track
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas F | ||
| Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I and Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II | ||
| Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I and Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II | ||
Second Foreign Language at the 1001 to 2002 levels | ||
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses | ||
| Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all courses taken in Area F | ||
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Upper-Level Courses in French | ||
| FREN 2010 | Intermediate Conversation | 3 |
| FREN 3010 | French Grammar and Composition | 3 |
| FREN 3150 | French Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| or FREN 3160 | Francophone Culture and Civilization | |
| FREN 3200 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| FREN 3250 | Survey of French Literature | 3 |
| or FREN 3260 | Survey of Francophone Literature | |
| FREN 4010 & FREN 4400 | Advanced Grammar and Composition and French Phonetics and Advanced Conversation | 6 |
| FREN 4980 | Community Practicum | 1 |
| FREN 4990 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| FREN 3000- or 4000-level courses | 6 | |
| ESOL 4010 | Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| Related Electives | 26 | |
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
A second or third foreign language may be taken in the major as needed under the Related Electives.
Suggested Elective Sequences: Minor in Spanish or German, Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Certificate in Spanish for Professionals.
A minimum of 39 hours must be taken at the 3000/4000 level.
