#frenchclass

Firstly, unlike many other J-Term courses, you must apply to this course to get in. There is a mandatory meeting before registration to talk about the course, and at this meeting, you fill out a simple single-paper application that basically asks your prior French experience, your reason for wanting to take the course, and your level of proficiency. 

This course only accepts 14 students each year, meaning that some people are not able to take the course some years when interest is high. Some factors that contribute to admission are: what French courses you have taken, the class is geared towards those who have just taken FRN230 (the French literature class), whether or not you are a French major (preference is given towards those majoring in French), and whether or not you plan to study abroad in Paris or Geneva (preference is given to those who plan to study abroad).

The professor of the course will decide who makes it into the 14 accepted and sends an email out to those individuals, at which point you can register for the course on Bannerweb. Note: once accepted, you cannot drop out. Now, onto the actual course. 

Here is an example of a typical day in the course:

9-10:30 AM: Meet in the Poetry Center for a discussion of Film and readings that were assigned the previous day as homework. 

10:30-11 AM: A small conversation exercise in which everyone is given a role to play in order to interact with others.

11 AM-12 PM: Go to the second floor of Wright Hall for online exercises on Moodle. This is often doing exercises in the workbooks or watching videos and answering questions on our comprehension. 

12 PM-1 PM: Lunch together with everyone in the class, in French.

1-2:15 PM: More online exercises.

2:15-3:45 PM: More discussion and exercises in the Poetry Center.

Some fun little things we did include: going to the Smith Art Museum, having daily tea breaks, student-led morning activities, films, and heated debates.

Some not so fun things: a significant amount of homework each night, really long hours, and the occasional class on a Saturday.

Overall: very good class if you are looking for an immersive French experience. However, be forewarned that it is a lot of work.