World Language Department
French Courses
(All Courses Above are Included in GPA)
French continues to be a crucial international language, being spoken by over 120 million native and nonnative speakers across the globe. It is also the only language besides English that is spoken on five continents and is taught in every country in the world. Westborough High School offers the following courses in French.
French 1 L3
WL130 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADES 9-12
Prerequisite:
- None
This is an introductory course designed for first year students who begin the study of French in the High School and for students who studied French in the Middle School and would benefit from additional practice of the language. This course aims to develop basic proficiency in aural understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will be introduced to the culture of French speaking countries. Upon successful completion of this course, students may move either to French L3 Year 2 or French L4 Year 2, pending grades and teacher recommendation.
At the end of the year students will be able to…
At the end of the year students will be able to…
- pronounce French words.
- introduce themselves and have a basic conversation.
- discuss a variety of basic topics using correct language structures.
- write on a variety of basic topics in grammatically accurate French.
- recognize French speaking countries and discuss cultural differences.
- achieve a “Novice High” level on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency guidelines.
French 2 L3
WL131 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADES 9-12
Prerequisite:
- C or better in French 1 L3; OR
- C or better in French 8 AND recommendation of French 8 teacher
In this second year course, students build off of and expand upon knowledge acquired in Year 1 French. They develop intermediate low proficiency in aural understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. The students deepen their understanding of the culture in French speaking countries.
At the end of the year students will be able to…
At the end of the year students will be able to…
- carry on basic and intermediate conversations on a variety of topics.
- describe past events and other early intermediate topics using correct language structures.
- write on a variety of early intermediate topics in grammatically accurate French.
- recognize French speaking countries and discuss important cultural differences.
- approach an “Intermediate Low” level on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency guidelines.
French 2 L4
WL140 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADES 9-12
Prerequisite:
- A- or better in French 1 L3; OR
- A- in French 8 AND recommendation of French 8 teacher
In this second year course, students build off of and expand upon knowledge acquired in Year 1 French. They develop early intermediate proficiency in aural understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. The students deepen their understanding of the culture in French speaking countries.
At the end of the year students will be able to…
At the end of the year students will be able to…
- carry on basic and intermediate conversations on a variety of topics.
- describe past events and other early intermediate topics using correct language structures.
- write on a variety of early intermediate topics in grammatically accurate French.
- recognize French speaking countries and discuss important cultural differences.
- achieve a “Intermediate Low” level on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency guidelines.
French 3 L3
WL230 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADES 10-12
Prerequisite:
- C- or better in French 2 L3 AND recommendation of French 2 teacher; OR
- Successful completion of French 2 L4
In this third year course, students build off of and expand upon knowledge acquired in Year 2 French. They develop intermediate low proficiency in aural understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. The students deepen their understanding of the culture of French speaking countries.
At the end of the year students will be able to…
At the end of the year students will be able to…
- carry on intermediate conversations on a variety of topics.
- describe past, future, and hypothetical events using correct language structures.
- write on a variety of basic topics in grammatically accurate French.
- recognize French speaking countries and discuss important cultural differences.
- achieve an “Intermediate Low” level on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency guidelines.
French 3 L4
WL240 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADES 10-12
Prerequisite:
- B or better in French 2 L4; OR
- A- or better in French 2 L3 AND recommendation of French 2 teacher
In this third year course, students build off of and expand upon knowledge acquired in French 2. They develop intermediate proficiency in aural understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. The students deepen their understanding of the culture of French speaking countries.
At the end of the year students will be able to…
At the end of the year students will be able to…
- carry on intermediate conversations on a variety of topics.
- describe past, future, and hypothetical events using correct language structures.
- write on a variety of basic topics in grammatically accurate French.
- recognize French speaking countries and discuss important cultural differences.
- approach an “Intermediate Mid” level on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency guidelines.
French 4 L3
WL330 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADES 11-12
Prerequisite:
- C- or better in French 3 L3 AND recommendation of French 3 teacher; OR
- Successful completion of French 3 L4
In this fourth year course, students will continue to develop their aural, reading, writing, and speaking proficiency through the use of authentic materials, such as art, short stories, films, music and newspaper articles.
By the end of the course, students should:
By the end of the course, students should:
- achieve an “Intermediate Mid” level on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency guidelines.
French 4 L4
WL343 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADES 11-12
Prerequisite:
- B or better in French 3 L4; OR
- A- or better in French 3 L3 AND recommendation of French 3 teacher
In this advanced intermediate course, students will continue to develop their aural, reading, writing, and speaking proficiency through the use of authentic materials, such as art, short stories, films, music and newspaper articles.
By the end of the course, students should:
By the end of the course, students should:
- approach an “Intermediate High” level on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency guidelines.
Le Monde Francophone L3/L4
WL430/441 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADE 12
Prerequisite:
L3:
L3:
- B- or better in French 4 L3 AND recommendation of French 4 teacher; OR
- Successful completion of French 4 L4
- B or better in French 4 L4; OR
- A- or better in French 4 L3 AND recommendation of French 4 teacher
In this advanced course, students will further develop their language skills through the study of Francophone culture. Each unit will focus on different themes. Students will look at various authentic materials, and develop and present their own opinions in written and oral presentations. Students will research and present information on the French-speaking world. *When combined by necessity, assessment and independent work expectations will be modified accordingly. The proficiency target of this course is Intermediate High on the ACTFL scale.
AP French Language & Culture
WL450 - 1.0 CREDIT - YEAR LONG - GRADE 12
Prerequisite:
- A- or better in French 4 L4 AND recommendation of French 4 teacher
This is a college level course in which students will further develop reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in French. Students will be able to understand and critique novels, plays, articles, orations, and films orally and in writing using all verb tenses and moods. Students will be exposed to cultural perspectives through analysis and description of literature, historical documents, music, dance and theatre. Student proficiency will be assessed using the three modes of communication: presentational, interpretive and interpersonal.
By the end of the course, students should:
All students are required to take the College Board’s Advanced Placement exam in May.
By the end of the course, students should:
- approach an “Advanced Low” level on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency guidelines.
All students are required to take the College Board’s Advanced Placement exam in May.