French and International Languages

The Department of Modern Languages offers a rich and dynamic environment for learning and appreciation. By studying cultural and literary values, both past and current, we stand to gain important perceptions into ourselves and society - perceptions that allow to confront socio-political challenges. From a practical viewpoint, fluency in more than one language and knowledge of other cultures will provide a competitive edge in an increasingly global workplace environment. We offer courses in French, both at the applied and academic levels, as well as Spanish.

Course Pathways

French & Spanish Course Descriptions

FRENCH COURSES

Grade 9

FSF1P (Applied French): This course provides opportunities for students to communicate and interact in French in structured situations, with a focus on everyday topics, and to apply their knowledge of French in everyday situations. Students will develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills introduced in the elementary Core French program, through practical applications and concrete examples, and will use creative and critical thinking skills in various ways. They will also enhance their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning.

FSF1D (Academic French): This course provides opportunities for students to communicate and interact in French with increasing independence, with a focus on familiar topics related to their daily lives. Students will develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing by using language learning strategies introduced in the elementary Core French program, and will apply creative and critical thinking skills in various ways. They will also enhance their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning.

Grade 10

FSF2D (Academic French): This course provides opportunities for students to communicate in French about personally relevant, familiar, and academic topics in real-life situations with increasing independence. Students will exchange information, ideas, and opinions with others in guided and increasingly spontaneous spoken interactions. Students will develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through the selective use of strategies that contribute to effective communication. They will also increase their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning.

Grade 11

FSF3U (University French): This course offers students extended opportunities to speak and interact in real-life situations in French with greater independence. Students will develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, as well as their creative and critical thinking skills, through responding to and exploring a variety of oral and written texts. They will also broaden their understanding and appreciation of diverse French-speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning.

Grade 12

FSF4U (University French): This course provides extensive opportunities for students to speak and interact in French independently. Students will develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, apply language learning strategies in a wide variety of real-life situations, and develop their creative and critical thinking skills through responding to and interacting with a variety of oral and written texts. They will also enrich their understanding and appreciation of diverse French speaking communities, and will develop skills necessary for lifelong language learning.

SPANISH COURSES

LWSBD (Grade 10 Academic Spanish): This course allows students with little or no prior experience with the Spanish language to develop an appreciation for Spanish culture and values through language. Students develop the three strands: Oral Communication, Reading and Writing. Students build and apply their knowledge of Spanish while exploring a variety of themes, such as relationships, trends, careers and a global overview of the Spanish speaking people and world. Thematic readings include a selection of readers, adapted short stories, articles, magazines, texts on CD ROM's, and the Internet as stepping stones to oral and written activities.

LWSCU (Grade 11 University Spanish): This course offers students opportunities to further develop their knowledge of Spanish and to enhance their communication skills. Students will use increasingly sophisticated language in a variety of activities that will enable them to speak and write with clarity and accuracy. Students will also enhance their thinking skills through the critical study of literature, and continue to explore aspects of the culture of countries where the language is spoken through a variety of print and technological resources.