Parents and students, if you need to reach me, please e-mail me at :
kathleen.matchunis@browardschools.com
During the school year, if you need to speak to me, call me at 754-322-0500
x 3084. I teach all
morning, but I am free to speak to parents after 1 pm.
SUPPLIES:
1. Folder with metal prongs and pockets for handouts.
2. Red pens (besides your usual black/blue pens and pencils
3. Index cards (a lot!)
4. Bring your workbook or workbook packet to class everyday!
Remember students: You can earn an extra 2% on quizzes on tests if you go on
www.classzone.com Now you need codes to use www.classzone.com!
For Level 1, the code is: 2666228-10
For Level 2, the code is: 2660173-20
For Level 3, the code is: 2660173-30
Use the online review- it's great. Make sure to use a CD
tutor if you have checked one out!
Below are my weekly lesson plans:
Matchunis French I 09-10 Nov. 30- Dec. 4 Wk. 15
Mon., Nov. 30 Objective: Students will be able to express what they want ,
would like, and would not like to do, as evidenced by their oral responses to
verbal questions about their preferences.
Strategies: Warm-up: Warm-up transparency # 10 (bottom half)
1. Correct Act. 5-7, p. 77
2. Do Act. 8 & 9, p. 78
3. Review vocab.
4. H.W. Do Activity Pour Tous, pp. 33-4
Tues., Dec. 1 Objective: Students will be able to accept or decline an
invitation, as evidenced by responses to verbal questions.
Strategies: Warm-up: Do Warm-up transparency, 11 (top half)
1. Correct Act. 8 & 9, p. 78
2. Correct Act. Pout Tous, pp. 33-4
3. Read Note Culturelles comparaisons culturelles L’etiquette telephonique, p. 79
5. H.W. Create a Venn diagram based on the articles on p. 79. Compare and
contrast what is acceptable phone usage in France vs. US.
4. H.W. Do Workbook, pp. 62-3
Wed., Dec. 2 Objective: Students will review how to express which activities
that they like and dislike as well as accepting and declining invitations, as
evidenced by responses to oral questions.
Warm-up: Discuss Venn diagrams on cell phone usage and correct Workbook, pp.
62-3.
1. Do Activity pour Tous, p. 35.
2. Correct Activity pour tous, p. 35
3. H.W. Do A Votre Tour, p. 80-1
4. H. W. Quiz 5 on Friday! Start reviewing !
Thurs., Dec. 3 Objective: Students will master accepting and declining
invitations, as evidenced by their performed dialogues.
Warm-up: Correct AVT, pp. 80-1 (Quiz 5 – tomorrow- Format listed below:
Quiz 5 Format:
I. Listening Comprehension (Know your vocab)
II. Fill-in with infinitive verbs. J’aime ________ la tele. (regarder)
J’aime _______ la radio (ecouter).
III. Be able to describe two things you like to do and two things you do NOT
like to do.
IV. Be able to write :
Do you want to dance with me?
I’d love to!
I’m sorry, but I must study.
***************************
1. Divide into your cooperative pairs.
2. Each group will create a dialog and include the following:
a) Greet and introduce yourself on the phone
b) Ask to speak to your friend.
c) Greet your friend.
d) Invite your friend to do something.
e) Friend will either gladly accept and ask what time & where you want to do
your activity OR decline the invitation and explain why.
f) Thank your friend and say good-bye
Rubric: You will be graded in following areas (max 4 Pts. Each) for a
percentage grade, which will be counted like a quiz.
I. Comprehensibility
II. Grammar
III. Fluency
IV. Accent
3. H. W. : Learn the lines of dialogue and study for Quiz 5!
Friday, Dec. 4 Objective: Students will master accepting invitations.
Strategies: Warm-up: Students will review for quiz 5 in pairs.
1. Quiz 5
2. Perform dialogs.
Matchunis French II 09-10 Nov. 30-Dec. 4 Wk. 15
Mon., Nov. 30 Objective: Students will be able to talk about weekend activities.
Strategies: Warm-up: Read pp. 100-2
1. Review new vocab, pp. 100-4
2. Do Act. 1 & 2, p. 103
3. H.W. : Update notecards will all vocab on pp. 100-4
Tues., Dec. 1 Objective: Students will be able to talk about modes of
transportation and vocabulary from the countryside.
Strategies: Warm-up: Review vocabulary with OHT # 19
1. Correct Act. 1 &2, p. 103 on board and notecard check.
2. Do Act. 3, p. 105 in pairs and discuss in class.
3. Read p. 106-7
4. H,W. Do Act. 4, p. 107
Wed., Dec. 2 Objective: Students will be able to use lesson 5 vocabulary in
context.
Strategies: Warm-up: Do Warm-up transparency, #12
1. Correct Act. 4, p. 107
2. H.W. : Do Act. Packet, pp. 41-43
Thurs., Dec. 3 Objective: Students will be able to increase their reading
comprehension, as evidenced by answering comprehension questions and
summarizing important points of assigned articles.
Warm-up: Divide into your cooperative groups.
Each group will identify cognates, summarize their article, and answer the
“Avez-vous compris?” after each scene. Each group will report back to the class.
Group 1: Read and summarize Scene 1, p. 81
Group 2 - Read & summarize Scene 2, p. 82
Group 3- Read & summarize Scene 3, p. 83
Group 4 -Read & summarize Scene 4, p. 84
Group 5 - Read : Le Calendrier des Fetes, p. 90-1 and compare & contrast
French and American holidays.
Each group will have a: Coach, Timekeeper, Reporter, &Editor
Time limit: Each group will have 15 min. to prepare.
1. Each group will present.
Fri., Dec. 4 Strategies: Warm-up: Correct Act. Packet pp. 41-4
1. Do Workbook, pp. 49-52
2. Quiz 5 Monday! Part I- Listening, Part II- fill-ins with infinitives from
pp. 102-3 Part III- Fill-ins : farm animals Part IV: Be able to write about
an outing: a) be able to write what time you are going to leave , b)how you
are getting there, c)what you are going to do, and d)what time that you are
coming home.
3. Write out part IV and bring to class for practice and points!
4. Quiz 5 – study for Monday
Matchunis French III 09-10 Nov. 30-Dec. 4 Wk. 15
Mon., Nov. 30 Objective: Students will increase reading comprehension by
analyzing an article and reporting back to the class. Students will be able
to identify vocabulary related to household chores, as evidenced by their
responses to a survey.
Warm-up: Students will divide into groups after roll call.
After 15 min. of preparation, each group will present significant points on
their article on chart paper.
Group 1- Quelques peintres impressionistes.,, 61 Group 2- Claude Monet, p.
62-3 , Group 3- Apres l’Impressionisme ,Group 4 – Le surrealisme et
literature, Group 5- L’art dans la rue
1. Each group will present their significant points and report back to the class.
2. Discuss new vocab, pp. 74-5
3. Do Act. 1, p. 75 with a partner and compare your answers
4. Do Act. 3 , p. 76 with your partner.
5. H.W : Copy and review vocab., Make a list of the chores that you do and
the chores that you don’t do. pp. 74-5
6. H.W: Do Act. 2 , p. 76.
Tues., Dec. 1 Objective: Students will be able to discuss household chores, as
evidenced by their answers to questions, related to this topic.
Strategies: Do Warm-up: Transparency #13
1. Correct Act. 1-3, pp. 75-6
2. Discuss vocabulary, related to tools, p. 77
3. Closure: Learning Log
3. H. W. : Copy and learn vocab., p. 77 Make a list of the tools that you know
how to use and a list of the tools that you don’t know how to use.
4. H.W., Do Act. 4 & 5, p. 77.
Wed.,, Dec. 2 Objective: Students will be able to form the subjunctive, as
evidenced by their answers to verbal prompts.
Warm-up: Correct Act. 4 & 5, p. 77
1. Discuss the formation of the subjunctive, p. 78.
2. Subjunctive for regular -er, -ir, and –re verbs is formed by going to the
“ils” form and removing the “ent” ending to get the stem. Then add the
following endings to the stem: -e, -es, -e, -ions , -iez, -ent.
3. Give examples of things that you have to do orally with the prompt:
Il faut que je ___________.
3. Closure: Learning log
4. H.W. : Do Act 1-3, pp. 78-9
Thurs., Dec. 3 Objective: Students will be able to describe a common teenage
problem and give advice, using the subjunctive, as evidenced by a
presentation, done in pairs.
Warm-up: Divide into cooperative groups and correct Act. 1-3, pp. 78-9.
1. Students will divide into pairs and list 2 common teenage problems and then
offer advice for each of these problems. The problems and advice will be
illustrated.
2. Each pair will report back to the class. Partner A will state the first
problem and Partner B will present the advice. Partner B will state the
second probem and Partner A will present the advice.
3. Closure Activity: Learning logs
4. H.W. : Read p. 80 and do Act, 4 & 5, p. 80
Fri., Dec. 4 Objective: Students will be able to master the form of the
regular subjunctive, as evidenced by their answers to written and oral exercises.
Warm-up: Do Warm-up Transparency, #15
1. Correct Act. 4 & 5, p. 80
2. Do Activite Pour Tous, pp. 33-5
3. Closure: Learning Logs
L'ARGOT FRANCAIS- FRENCH SLANG
C’est naze – It’s boring.
C’est cool- It’s cool.
Ca dechire- really good.
C’est d’ la balle- It’s super good.
Ca pue. – That stinks.
C’est relou. – It’s a drag.
Ca gaz.- It’s going OK.
Etre crade. To be dirty. (not clean)
Je kif.- I like
C’est la deche. – I’m broke.
Paume- lost.
C’est pourave. It stinks.
Giga- too much
Ca Chmoute- that smells bad.
J’ai la rage. – I’m upset.
Ca me soule- That irritates me.
Tu a du style.- You are good-looking.
Tu as la classe. – You are really good-looking.
La couisse- The car
Ca a de la gueule.- It looks good.
Ca flache. – That stands out.
Tranquille- No problem!
Links on Idiomatic Expressions in French
http://www.bonjourdefrance.com/index/quizchrono/qcmidiom.html
http://archserve.id.ucsb.edu/French4/LGV/Menu1/langue6idio.html
http://www.french-lessons.com/gallicismes0.html
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=475327
http://www.3ponts.edu/quiz/idiome.htm
http://mrc.ltd.free.fr/IdiomsAnimal.htm
http://www.tolearnfrench.com/exercises/exercise-french-2/exercise-french-24716.php
http://users.skynet.be/courstoujours/Expressions/Sommaire.htm
http://quizlet.com/178736/expressions-idiomatiques-flash-cards/
http://w3.gril.univ-tlse2.fr/Equiv.html
http://www.uqtr.ca/eif/sitographie/Expressions.html
http://jeudeloie.free.fr/avance/idiomatiq/oie.html
http://www.cle.fr/centre_linguistique-fr-idm-40-n-Expressions_idiomatiques.html
http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/francais/fransk/fran/elem/exp/exp.html
http://membres.lycos.fr/mjannot/froggy/idiome.htm
http://www.peinturefle.ovh.org/activite/exression.htm
http://www.ciep.fr/tester/testlang/lfexp3.htm
http://www.smeno.com/lyceens/objectif-bac/fiches-revisions/fiches-par-filieres/term-l/anglais/fiches/les-expressions-idiomatiques.html
http://www.betterlearnfrench.com/index.php?view=article&catid=21%3Afrench-iii-&id=41%3Ales-expressions-idiomatiques-presentation&tmpl=component&print=1&page=&option=com_content&Itemid=38
http://abcteach.com/directory/languages/french/french_idiomatic_expressions/
http://www.cavi.univ-paris3.fr/Ilpga/ilpga/tal/AtelierEcriture/slow6-2002/section1/expressions/expresidiomat.html
Idiomatic Expression Links
http://vercors.univ-savoie.fr/ressourcesenligne/lea/Perdrieau/exercices/expressions.htm
http://www.xtec.es/~ctorrent/expressions1/abc.htm
http://villemin.gerard.free.fr/Langue/AnglExp1.htm
http://www.anglaisfacile.com/exercices/exercice-anglais-2/exercice-anglais-26586.php
video
http://www.curiosphere.tv/video-documentaire/17-education-aux-medias/104057-atelier-video-sur-les-expressions-idiomatiques
en espagnol
http://lewebpedagogique.com/bac-es/faux-amis-et-expressions-idiomatiques-espagnol/
passé compose
http://uregina.ca/LRC/HotPot/French/Elementaire/exercises/V/v063c.htm
French Words and Expressions in English (Syllabi for all courses under list)
Learn the true meanings of French words and expressions commonly used in English
French Influence in English | French Words in English | Quiz
Over the years, the English language has borrowed a great number of French
words and expressions. Some of this vocabulary has been so completely absorbed
by English that speakers might not realize its origins. Other words and
expressions have retained their "Frenchness" - a certain je ne sais quoi which
speakers tend to be much more aware of (although this awareness does not
usually extend to actually pronouncing the word in French). The following is a
list of French words and expressions which are commonly used in English.
French Literal meaning Notes
adieu until God Used like "farewell": when you don't expect to see the
person again until God (when you die and go to Heaven)
agent provocateur provocative agent A person who attempts to provoke
suspected individuals or groups into committing unlawful acts
aide-de-camp camp assistant A military officer who serves as a personal
assistant to a higher-ranking officer
aide-mémoire memory aid 1. Position paper
2. Something that acts as an aid to memory, such as crib notes or mnemonic devices
à la carte on the menu* French restaurants usually offer a menu with choices
for each of the several courses at a fixed price (how to read a French menu).
If you want something else (a side order), you order from the carte.
*Note that menu is a false cognate in French and English.
à la mode in fashion, style In English, this means "with ice cream" -
apparently someone decided that having ice cream on pie was the fashionable
way to eat it.
amour-propre self love Self respect
apéritif cocktail From Latin, "to open"
après-ski after skiing The French term actually refers to snow boots, but
the literal translation of the term is what is meant in English, as in
"après-ski" social events.
à propos (de) on the subject of In French, à propos must be followed by the
preposition de. In English, there are four ways to use apropos (we leave out
the accent and the space):
1. Adjective - appropriate, to the point: "That's true, but it's not apropos."
2. Adverb - at an appropriate time, opportunely: "Fortunately, he arrived
apropos."
3. Adverb/Interjection - by the way, incidentally: "Apropos, what happened
yesterday?"
4. Preposition (may or may not be followed by of) - with regard to, speaking
of: "Apropos our meeting, I'll be late"; "He told a funny story apropos of the
new president."
art déco decorative art Short for art décoratif
art nouveau new art Characterized by flowers, leaves, and flowing lines
attaché attached A person assigned to a diplomatic post
au contraire on the contrary Usually used playfully in English.
au fait conversant, informed Au fait is used in British English to mean
"familiar" or "conversant": She's not really au fait with my ideas.
au gratin with gratings In French, au gratin refers to anything that is
grated and put on top of a dish, like breadcrumbs or cheese. In English, au
gratin means "with cheese."
au jus in the juice Served with the meat's natural juices.
au naturel in reality, unseasoned In this case naturel is a semi-false
cognate. In French, au naturel can mean either "in reality" or the literal
meaning of "unseasoned" (in cooking). In English, we picked up the latter,
less common usage and use it figuratively, to mean natural, untouched, pure, real.
au pair at par A person who works for a family (cleaning and/or teaching the
children) in exchange for room and board
aux trois crayons with three crayons Drawing technique using three colors of
chalk
avant-garde before guard Innovative, especially in the arts
avoirdupois goods of weight Originally spelled averdepois
bête noire black beast Similar to a pet peeve: something that is
particularly distasteful or difficult and to be avoided.
billet-doux sweet note Love letter
blond
blonde fair-haired This is the only adjective in English which agrees in
gender with the person it modifies: blond is for a man and blonde for a woman.
Note that these can also be nouns.
bon appétit good appetite The closest English equivalent is "Enjoy your meal."
bon vivant good "liver" Someone who lives well, who knows how to enjoy life.
bon voyage good trip English has "Have a good trip," but Bon voyage is more
elegant.
brunette small, dark-haired female The French word brun, dark-haired, is
what English really means by "brunette." The -ette suffix indicates that the
subject is small and female.
café au lait coffee with milk Same thing as the Spanish term café con leche
carte blanche blank card Free hand, ability to do whatever you want/need
cause célèbre famous cause A famous, controversial issue, trial, or case
cerise cherry The French word for the fruit gives us the English word for
the color.
c'est la vie that's life Same meaning and usage in both languages
chaise longue long chair In English, this is often mistakenly written as
"chaise lounge" - which actually makes perfect sense.
chargé d'affaires charged with business A substitute or replacement diplomat
chef d'oeuvre chief work Masterpiece
cheval-de-frise Frisian horse Barbed wire, spikes, or broken glass attached
to wood or masonry and used to block access
cheval glace horse mirror A long mirror set into a moveable frame
chic stylish Chic sounds more chic than "stylish."
cinéma vérité cinema truth Unbiased, realistic documentary filmmaking
comme il faut as it must The proper way, as it should be
cordon sanitaire sanitary line Quarantine, buffer zone for political or
medical reasons.
coup de grâce mercy blow Deathblow, final blow, decisive stroke
coup d'état state blow Overthrow of the government
crème brûlée burnt cream Baked custard with carmelized crust
crème caramel caramel cream Synonym of flan - custard lined with caramel
crème de cacao cream of cacao Chocolate-flavored liqueur
crème de la crème cream of the cream Synonymous with the English expression
"cream of the crop" - refers to the best of the best.
crème de menthe cream of mint Mint-flavored liqueur
crème fraîche fresh cream This is a funny term. Despite its meaning, crème
fraîche is in fact slightly fermented, thickened cream.
crêpe de Chine Chinese crepe Type of silk
critique critical, judgment Critique is an adjective and noun in French, but
a noun and verb in English; it refers to a critical review of something or the
act of performing such a review.
cuisine kitchen, food style In English, cuisine refers only to a particular
type of food/cooking, such as French cuisine, Southern cuisine, etc.
cul-de-sac bottom (butt) of the bag Dead-end street
debutante beginner In French, débutante is the feminine form of débutant -
beginner (noun) or beginning (adj). In both languages, it also refers to a
young girl making her formal début into society. Interestingly, this usage is
not original in French; it was adopted back from English.
décolletage
décolleté low neckline
lowered neckline The first is a noun, the second an adjective, but both refer
to low necklines on women's clothing.
dégustation tasting The French word simply refers to the act of tasting,
while in English "degustation" is used for a tasting event or party, as in
wine or cheese tasting.
déjà vu already seen This is a grammatical structure in French, as in Je
l'ai déjà vu=> I've already seen it. It can also disparage a style or
technique that has already been done, as in Son style est déjà vu=> His style
is not original.
In English, déjà vu refers to the scientific phenomenon of feeling like you
have already seen or done something when you're sure that you haven't: a
feeling of déjà vu = une impression de déjà vu.
demimonde half world 1. A marginal or disrespectful group
2. Prostitutes and/or kept women
demitasse half cup Refers to a small cup of espresso or other strong coffee.
démodé out of fashion Same meaning in both languages: outmoded, out of fashion
de rigueur of rigueur Socially or culturally obligatory
dernier cri last cry The newest fashion or trend
de trop of too much Excessive, superfluous
double entendre double hearing A word play or pun. For example, you're
looking at a field of sheep and you say "How are you (ewe)?"
du jour of the day "Soup du jour" is nothing more than an elegant-sounding
version of "soup of the day."
eau de Cologne water from Cologne This is often cut down to simply "cologne"
in English. Cologne is the French and English name for the German city Köln.
eau de toilette toilet water Toilet here does not refer to a commode - see
toilette, below. Eau de toilette is a very weak perfume.
en banc on the bench Legal: indicates that the entire membership of a court
is in session.
en bloc in a block In a group, all together
encore again A simple adverb in French, "encore" in English refers to an
additional performance, usually requested with audience applause.
enfant terrible terrible child Refers to a troublesome or embarrassing
person within a group (of artists, thinkers, etc).
en garde on guard Warning that one should be on his/her guard, ready for an
attack (originally in fencing).
en masse in mass In a group, all together
en route on route On the way
en suite in sequence Part of a set, together
esprit de corps group spirit Similar to team spirit or morale
fait accompli done deed Fait accompli seems more fatalistic to me than done
deed, which is so factual.
faux false, fake I once saw an ad for "genuine faux pearls." No worries that
those pearls might be real, I guess - you were guaranteed fake ones. :-)
faux pas false step, trip Something that should not be done, a foolish mistake.
femme fatale deadly woman An alluring, mysterious woman who seduces men into
compromising situations
fiancé
fiancée engaged person, betrothed Note that fiancé refers to a man and
fiancée to a woman.
film noir black movie Black is a literal reference to the stark
black-and-white cinematography style, though films noirs tend to be
figuratively dark as well (e.g., morbid, bleak, depressing, etc).
fin de siècle end of the century Hyphenated in English, fin-de-siècle refers
to the end of the 19th century.
fleur-de-lis
fleur-de-lys flower of lily A type of iris or an emblem in the shape of an
iris with three petals.
folie à deux craziness for two Mental disorder which occurs simultaneously
in two people with a close relationship or association.
force majeure greater force Refers to superior/greater force, or to an
unexpected or uncontrollable event, such as "an act of God" like a tornado or
earthquake.
gamine playful,
little girl Refers to an impish or playful girl/woman.
gauche left, awkward Tactless, lacking social grace
genre type Used mostly in art and film - "I really like this genre..."
haute couture high sewing High-class, fancy (and expensive) clothing styles
haute cuisine high cuisine High-class, fancy (and expensive) cooking or food
hors de combat out of combat Out of action
hors d'oeuvre outside of work An appetizer. Oeuvre here refers to the main
work (course), so hors d'oeuvre simply means something besides the main course.
idée fixe set idea Fixation, obsession
je ne sais quoi I don't know what Used to indicate a "certain something," as
in "I really like Ann. She has a certain je ne sais quoi that I find very
appealing."
joie de vivre joy of living The quality in people who live life to the fullest
laissez-faire let it be A policy of non-interference. Note the expression in
French is laisser-faire.
maître d'
maître d'hôtel master of
master of hotel The former is more common in English, which is strange since
it is incomplete: "The 'master of' will show you to your table."
mal de mer sickness of sea Seasickness
mardi gras fat Tuesday Celebration before Lent
matinée morning In English, refers to the day's first showing of a movie or
play. Can also refer to a midday romp with one's lover.
ménage à trois household of three Sexual threesome
mot juste right word Exactly the right word or expression.
née born Used in genealogy to refer to a woman's maiden name: Anne Miller
née (or nee) Smith.
noblesse oblige obligated nobility The idea that those who are noble are
obliged to act noble.
nom de guerre war name Pseudonym
nom de plume pen name This French phrase was coined by English speakers in
imitation of nom de guerre.
nouveau riche new rich Disparaging term for someone who has recently come
into money.
nouvelle cuisine new cuisine
objet d'art art object Note that the French word objet does not have a c -
you should never write "object d'art"
papier mâché mashed paper Used for art
par excellence by excellence Quintessential, preeminent, the best of the best
pas de deux step of two Dance with two people
peau de soie skin of silk Soft, silky fabric with a dull finish
petite small, short It may sound chic, but petit is simply the feminine
French adjective "short."
petit-four little oven Small dessert, especially cake
pièce de résistance piece of stamina In French, this originally referred to
the main course - the test of your stomach's stamina. In both languages, it
now refers to an outstanding accomplishment or the final part of something - a
project, a meal, etc.
pied-à-terre foot on ground A temporary or secondary place of residence.
prêt-à-porter ready to wear
protégé protected Someone whose training is sponsored by an influential person.
raison d'être reason for being Purpose, justification for existing
rendez-vous go to In French, this refers to a date or an appointment
(literally, it is the verb se rendre - to go - in the imperative); in English
we can use it as a noun or a verb (let's rendez-vous at 8pm).
repartee quick, accurate response The French repartie gives us the English
"repartee," with the same meaning of a swift, witty, and "right on" retort.
risqué risked Suggestive, overly provocative
roman à clés novel with keys Novel with real people appearing as fictional
characters
roman-fleuve novel river A long, multi-volume novel which presents the
history of several generations of a family or community. In both French and
English, saga tends to be used more.
rouge red The English refers to a reddish cosmetic or metal/glass-polishing
powder, and can be a noun or a verb.
RSVP respond please This abbreviation stands for Répondez, s'il vous plaît,
which means that "Please RSVP" is redundant.
sang-froid cold blood The ability to maintain one's composure.
sans without Used mainly in academia, although it's also seen in the font
style "sans serif" => without decorative flourishes.
savoir-faire knowing how to do Synonymous with tact or social grace.
savoir-vivre to know how to live Manners, etiquette
soi-disant self saying What one claims about oneself; so-called, alleged
soigné taken care of 1. Sophisticated, elegant, fashionable
2. Well-groomed, polished, refined
soirée evening In English, refers to an elegant party.
soupçon suspicion Used figuratively like hint: There's just a soupçon of
garlic in the soup.
souvenir memory, keepsake A memento
succès d'estime success of estime Important but unpopular success or achievement
succès fou crazy success Wild success
tableau vivant living picture A scene made up of silent, motionless actors
table d'hôte host table 1. A table for all guests to sit together
2. A fixed-price meal with multiple courses
tête-à-tête head to head A private talk or visit with another person
toilette toilet In French, this refers both to the toilet itself and
anything related to toiletries; thus the expression "to do one's toilette" -
brush hair, do makeup, etc. See eau de toilette, above.
touché touched Originally used in fencing, now equivalent to "you got me."
tour de force turn of strength Something which takes a great deal of
strength or skill to accomplish.
trompe l'oeil trick the eye A painting style which uses perspective to trick
the eye into thinking it is real. In French, trompe l'oeil can also refer in
general to artifice and trickery.
vis-à-vis (de) face to face In French, when vis-à-vis precedes a noun and
means facing, next to, or towards, it must be followed by the preposition de.
In English it means "compared to" or "in relation with": vis-à-vis this
decision=> vis-à-vis de cette décision.
Voilà ! There it is! Nearly every time I see this in English, it is
misspelled as "voilá" or "violà."
voir dire seeing saying Jury selection
vol-au-vent flight of the wind In both French and English, a vol-au-vent is
a very light pastry shell filled with meat or fish with sauce.
French has also given English scores of words in the domains of ballet and
cooking. The literal meanings of the French words are (in parentheses).
Ballet terms: barre (bar), chaîné (chained), chassé (chased), développé
(developed), effacé (shaded), pas de deux (two step), pirouette (turn), plié
(bent), relevé (lifted)...
Cooking terms: blanch (from blanchir => to bleach), sauté (fried over high
heat), fondue (melted), purée (crushed), flambée (burned)...
Syllabi
French I
Syllabus for French I
Teacher: Kathleen Matchunis
Rm#: 610
Planning: 6th & 7th hour (12:55-2:40)
Tel. #. (754) 322-0500 x 3084
Text: Discovering French Nouveau Bleu ($61.47)
Discovering French Nouveau Bleu Workbook ($20.00)
Course Description: French I is an introduction into the French language and
culture, including
vocabulary, grammatical structures, and information on French culture from a
variety of French-
speaking countries.
Grading Scale, evaluation process, class requirements, attendance, policies,
general classroom rules,
supplies, and student responsibilities distributed to students the first day
of class as a contract,
signed by student and parent.
Topics to be Covered:
Semester1
Unit 1 :Meeting people, greeting people, talking about other people, and
introducing one's family.
Unit 2: Saying you are hungry, saying you are thirsty, paying at a cafe in
France, taling about time, talking about dates, talking about the weather.
Unit 3: Describing daily activities, talking about where people are, finding
out what is going on, inviting friends to do things with you, expanding one's
conversational skills.
Semester 2
Unit 4: Describing yourself and other, describing your room, talking about
possessions, expanding one's conversational skislls, and talking past events.
Unit 5: Describing your city finding your way around, describing your home
and your family, making plans to do things in town, expanding one's
conversational skills, and talking about past events.
Unit 6: Talking about clothes, discussing shopping plans, buying clothes,
expanding one's conversationsal skills, and talking about past events.
Syllabus for French II
Teacher: Kathleen Matchunis
Rm. 610
Planning: 6th & 7th hrs.
Tel. 754 322-0500
Text: Discovering French Nouveau Blanc ($62.64)
Discovering French Nouveau Blanc workbook ($20.00)
Topics to be covered:
Semester 1:
Reprise STUDENTS WILL REVIEW counting, giving the date and telling time,
talking about the weather, describing various things they own, talking about
places where they go, talking about their daily activities, saying what they
like and don’t like to do, asking and answering questions
Unité 1 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to give basic information about themselves and
their family, to name many professions, to describe their friends and other
people, to say how they feel, to talk about what they plan to do and what they
have recently done, to introduce their friends to others, to make a telephone
call. In Culture, they will discover more about the diversity of France and
its people.
Unité 2 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to describe their weekend activities (whether to
stay at home or go to town), to talk about their other leisure activities, to
describe what they see when they go for a walk or a drive in the country, to
describe what they did yesterday, last weekend, or last summer, to talk more
generally about what happened in the past. In Culture, they will learn what
French young people do on weekends and how to take the subway in Paris.
Unité 3 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to talk about their favorite foods and beverages,
to order in a French café or restaurant, to shop for food in a French market,
to express what they want to do, what they can do and what they must do. In
Culture, they will learn where French people do their shopping and what kinds
of foods are typically served in French and Québecois restaurants.
Semester 2:
Unité 4 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to describe and discuss various forms of
entertainment, to discuss the types of movies they like, to talk about their
favorite stars, to extend, accept, and turn down invitations, to describe
their relationships with other people. In Culture, they will learn where
French young people like to go in their free time and what kind of
entertainment they prefer.
Unité 5 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to learn to name and describe their favorite
sports, to talk about their daily activities and personal care, to identify
various parts of the body and describe a person’s physical features, to
explain what they do to stay fit, to let a doctor know what is wrong when they
feel sick or in pain. In Culture, they will learn what sports French people
enjoy and how they keep in shape.
Unité 6 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to tell where they live, to describe their
residence, its rooms, and the furnishings, to say where they were doing at a
certain time in the past, to describe the background of a past action, to talk
about what they used to do on a regular basis. In Culture, they will learn
what the French mean when they say “chez moi,” and what French houses look like.
Curriculum Details
Reprise Numbers, telling the date (days of the week and months of the year),
telling time, talking about the weather, definite and indefinite articles,
everyday objects, clothing, using à and de with definite articles, places,
possession using de, possessive, demonstrative, and interrogative adjectives,
conjugating regular verbs and their negative forms, making questions using
est-ce que, giving commands
Unité 1 Identity, nationality, family and friends, people, professions,
introductions, using the telephone, expressions with être, irregular
adjectives (forms and position), c’est vs. il/elle est, expressions with
avoir, expressions with faire, inversion questions, aller, aller + infinitive,
venir, venir de + infinitive, using depuis
Unité 2 Weekend activities, passé compose with avoir in positive, negative,
and questions, verbs prendre and mettre, voir, irregular past participles,
indefinites and their opposites, passé compose with être, the verbs sortir and
partir, il y a, weather expressions
Unité 3 Meals, the table, at a café, foods, the verbs pouvoir, vouloir, and
devoir, the partitive article, negating the partitive, the verb boire, verbs
with spelling and accent change, expressions of quantity (with and without
de), tout, il faut
Unité 4 Entertainments, movies, invitations, direct and indirect object
pronouns in sentences, negation, commands in simple and compound tenses, verbs
dire, lire, écrire, order of double object pronouns, verbs savoir and connaître
Unité 5 Sports, parts of the body, health, the pronoun y, the pronoun en,
using the definite article with parts of the body, reflexive verbs, daily
routine, using reflexive verbs in simple and compound tenses as well as in the
imperative
Unité 6 Rooms of a house, furnishings, the verb vivre, relative pronouns qui
and que, formation and use of the imparfait, differences in usage of passé
composé and imparfait
Syllabus for French III
Teacher: Kathleen Matchunis
Rm. # 610
Planning: 6th & 7th hrs.
Tel. 754 322-0500 x 3084
Text: Discovering French Nouveau Rouge ($62.57)
Discoverint French Nouveau Rouge Wkbk. ($25.00)
Topics to be covered:
Semester 1:
Unit 1: Review of French II, describing physical description, personal
hygiene,reflexive verbs, Daily routine, speaking in the past (passe compose of
reflexive verbs),physical condition and feelings, idiomatique expressions with
reflexive verbs.
Unit 2
Housework, asking for help, accepting help, refusing help, thanking people who
have helped you.
Selected readings, compositions, study of French Impressionism and surealism.
Great moments in French history, selections from French literature.
Semester 2
Unite 3
Vacation, fun, problems, describing events, storytelling, speaking in the past
tense, using the passe compose and the imparfait.
Great moments in French history: events and famous people.
Analysis of the film: Cyrano de Bergerac, analysis of literature.
History of France through famous chateaux.
Unit 4
How to make purchases, expressions for the beauty salon, barber shop, shoe
repair, dry cleaners, and at the photography shop.
Study of French music, history of French music, today's stars and those of the
past, modern music, French music in America, and classical music.
Syllabus for French IV
Teacher: Kathleen Matchunis
Rm. # 610
Planning: 6 & 7th
Telephone: (954) 322-0500 x 3084
Text: Discovering French Nouveau Rouge ($62.57)
Discovering French Nouveau Rouge Wkbk. ($25.00)
Topics to be covered:
Semester 1:
Unit 5: Vocabulary and expressionsfor the airport, customs, and the train
stattion. Students will learn to express themselves in the future tense as
well as the conditional. Selected readings for vocabulary and cultural
enrichment. Readings on significant historical events such as the revolution,
the Marseillaise, and Victor Hugo, as a writer and political figure.
Unite 6: Vocabulary and expressions for the hotel. Students will review and
expand upon the comparative and superlative structures. Students will learn
how to ask for services provided at a hotel. Students will master
interrogative, demonstrative, and possessive pronouns. Selected reading for
vocabulary and cultural enrichment. Readings on significant historical events,
Charles DeGaulle, a selected poet and a filmmaker.
Unit 7: Vocabulary and expression for a medical or dental visit. Students
will master the present and past subjunctive. Select readings for vocabulary
and cultural enrichment on topics such as the French in relation to other
Europeans, the European Union, an analysis of French society, the Muslim
influence in France, the dilemna of integration of foreigners into French
society, and racism in France.
Unit 8: Making and accepting dates. Students will master contrary to fact
statements, using the imperfect and the conditional. Explaining where one
lives. Review of the conditional tense in "if clauses" and other situations.
Students will master the past conditional. Use of verb tenses in "if clauses".
Selected readings for cultural and vocabulary enrichment on the French Antilles.
L'ARGOT FRANCAIS- FRENCH SLANG
C’est naze – It’s boring.
C’est cool- It’s cool.
Ca dechire- really good.
C’est d’ la balle- It’s super good.
Ca pue. – That stinks.
C’est relou. – It’s a drag.
Ca gaz.- It’s going OK.
Etre crade. To be dirty. (not clean)
Je kif.- I like
C’est la deche. – I’m broke.
Paume- lost.
C’est pourave. It stinks.
Giga- too much
Ca Chmoute- that smells bad.
J’ai la rage. – I’m upset.
Ca me soule- That irritates me.
Tu a du style.- You are good-looking.
Tu as la classe. – You are really good-looking.
La couisse- The car
Ca a de la gueule.- It looks good.
Ca flache. – That stands out.
Tranquille- No problem!
Links on Idiomatic Expressions in French
http://www.bonjourdefrance.com/index/quizchrono/qcmidiom.html
http://archserve.id.ucsb.edu/French4/LGV/Menu1/langue6idio.html
http://www.french-lessons.com/gallicismes0.html
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=475327
http://www.3ponts.edu/quiz/idiome.htm
http://mrc.ltd.free.fr/IdiomsAnimal.htm
http://www.tolearnfrench.com/exercises/exercise-french-2/exercise-french-24716.php
http://users.skynet.be/courstoujours/Expressions/Sommaire.htm
http://quizlet.com/178736/expressions-idiomatiques-flash-cards/
http://w3.gril.univ-tlse2.fr/Equiv.html
http://www.uqtr.ca/eif/sitographie/Expressions.html
http://jeudeloie.free.fr/avance/idiomatiq/oie.html
http://www.cle.fr/centre_linguistique-fr-idm-40-n-Expressions_idiomatiques.html
http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/francais/fransk/fran/elem/exp/exp.html
http://membres.lycos.fr/mjannot/froggy/idiome.htm
http://www.peinturefle.ovh.org/activite/exression.htm
http://www.ciep.fr/tester/testlang/lfexp3.htm
http://www.smeno.com/lyceens/objectif-bac/fiches-revisions/fiches-par-filieres/term-l/anglais/fiches/les-expressions-idiomatiques.html
http://www.betterlearnfrench.com/index.php?view=article&catid=21%3Afrench-iii-&id=41%3Ales-expressions-idiomatiques-presentation&tmpl=component&print=1&page=&option=com_content&Itemid=38
http://abcteach.com/directory/languages/french/french_idiomatic_expressions/
http://www.cavi.univ-paris3.fr/Ilpga/ilpga/tal/AtelierEcriture/slow6-2002/section1/expressions/expresidiomat.html
Idiomatic Expression Links
http://vercors.univ-savoie.fr/ressourcesenligne/lea/Perdrieau/exercices/expressions.htm
http://www.xtec.es/~ctorrent/expressions1/abc.htm
http://villemin.gerard.free.fr/Langue/AnglExp1.htm
http://www.anglaisfacile.com/exercices/exercice-anglais-2/exercice-anglais-26586.php
video
http://www.curiosphere.tv/video-documentaire/17-education-aux-medias/104057-atelier-video-sur-les-expressions-idiomatiques
en espagnol
http://lewebpedagogique.com/bac-es/faux-amis-et-expressions-idiomatiques-espagnol/
passé compose
http://uregina.ca/LRC/HotPot/French/Elementaire/exercises/V/v063c.htm
French Words and Expressions in English (Syllabi for all courses under list)
Learn the true meanings of French words and expressions commonly used in English
French Influence in English | French Words in English | Quiz
Over the years, the English language has borrowed a great number of French
words and expressions. Some of this vocabulary has been so completely absorbed
by English that speakers might not realize its origins. Other words and
expressions have retained their "Frenchness" - a certain je ne sais quoi which
speakers tend to be much more aware of (although this awareness does not
usually extend to actually pronouncing the word in French). The following is a
list of French words and expressions which are commonly used in English.
French Literal meaning Notes
adieu until God Used like "farewell": when you don't expect to see the
person again until God (when you die and go to Heaven)
agent provocateur provocative agent A person who attempts to provoke
suspected individuals or groups into committing unlawful acts
aide-de-camp camp assistant A military officer who serves as a personal
assistant to a higher-ranking officer
aide-mémoire memory aid 1. Position paper
2. Something that acts as an aid to memory, such as crib notes or mnemonic devices
à la carte on the menu* French restaurants usually offer a menu with choices
for each of the several courses at a fixed price (how to read a French menu).
If you want something else (a side order), you order from the carte.
*Note that menu is a false cognate in French and English.
à la mode in fashion, style In English, this means "with ice cream" -
apparently someone decided that having ice cream on pie was the fashionable
way to eat it.
amour-propre self love Self respect
apéritif cocktail From Latin, "to open"
après-ski after skiing The French term actually refers to snow boots, but
the literal translation of the term is what is meant in English, as in
"après-ski" social events.
à propos (de) on the subject of In French, à propos must be followed by the
preposition de. In English, there are four ways to use apropos (we leave out
the accent and the space):
1. Adjective - appropriate, to the point: "That's true, but it's not apropos."
2. Adverb - at an appropriate time, opportunely: "Fortunately, he arrived
apropos."
3. Adverb/Interjection - by the way, incidentally: "Apropos, what happened
yesterday?"
4. Preposition (may or may not be followed by of) - with regard to, speaking
of: "Apropos our meeting, I'll be late"; "He told a funny story apropos of the
new president."
art déco decorative art Short for art décoratif
art nouveau new art Characterized by flowers, leaves, and flowing lines
attaché attached A person assigned to a diplomatic post
au contraire on the contrary Usually used playfully in English.
au fait conversant, informed Au fait is used in British English to mean
"familiar" or "conversant": She's not really au fait with my ideas.
au gratin with gratings In French, au gratin refers to anything that is
grated and put on top of a dish, like breadcrumbs or cheese. In English, au
gratin means "with cheese."
au jus in the juice Served with the meat's natural juices.
au naturel in reality, unseasoned In this case naturel is a semi-false
cognate. In French, au naturel can mean either "in reality" or the literal
meaning of "unseasoned" (in cooking). In English, we picked up the latter,
less common usage and use it figuratively, to mean natural, untouched, pure, real.
au pair at par A person who works for a family (cleaning and/or teaching the
children) in exchange for room and board
aux trois crayons with three crayons Drawing technique using three colors of
chalk
avant-garde before guard Innovative, especially in the arts
avoirdupois goods of weight Originally spelled averdepois
bête noire black beast Similar to a pet peeve: something that is
particularly distasteful or difficult and to be avoided.
billet-doux sweet note Love letter
blond
blonde fair-haired This is the only adjective in English which agrees in
gender with the person it modifies: blond is for a man and blonde for a woman.
Note that these can also be nouns.
bon appétit good appetite The closest English equivalent is "Enjoy your meal."
bon vivant good "liver" Someone who lives well, who knows how to enjoy life.
bon voyage good trip English has "Have a good trip," but Bon voyage is more
elegant.
brunette small, dark-haired female The French word brun, dark-haired, is
what English really means by "brunette." The -ette suffix indicates that the
subject is small and female.
café au lait coffee with milk Same thing as the Spanish term café con leche
carte blanche blank card Free hand, ability to do whatever you want/need
cause célèbre famous cause A famous, controversial issue, trial, or case
cerise cherry The French word for the fruit gives us the English word for
the color.
c'est la vie that's life Same meaning and usage in both languages
chaise longue long chair In English, this is often mistakenly written as
"chaise lounge" - which actually makes perfect sense.
chargé d'affaires charged with business A substitute or replacement diplomat
chef d'oeuvre chief work Masterpiece
cheval-de-frise Frisian horse Barbed wire, spikes, or broken glass attached
to wood or masonry and used to block access
cheval glace horse mirror A long mirror set into a moveable frame
chic stylish Chic sounds more chic than "stylish."
cinéma vérité cinema truth Unbiased, realistic documentary filmmaking
comme il faut as it must The proper way, as it should be
cordon sanitaire sanitary line Quarantine, buffer zone for political or
medical reasons.
coup de grâce mercy blow Deathblow, final blow, decisive stroke
coup d'état state blow Overthrow of the government
crème brûlée burnt cream Baked custard with carmelized crust
crème caramel caramel cream Synonym of flan - custard lined with caramel
crème de cacao cream of cacao Chocolate-flavored liqueur
crème de la crème cream of the cream Synonymous with the English expression
"cream of the crop" - refers to the best of the best.
crème de menthe cream of mint Mint-flavored liqueur
crème fraîche fresh cream This is a funny term. Despite its meaning, crème
fraîche is in fact slightly fermented, thickened cream.
crêpe de Chine Chinese crepe Type of silk
critique critical, judgment Critique is an adjective and noun in French, but
a noun and verb in English; it refers to a critical review of something or the
act of performing such a review.
cuisine kitchen, food style In English, cuisine refers only to a particular
type of food/cooking, such as French cuisine, Southern cuisine, etc.
cul-de-sac bottom (butt) of the bag Dead-end street
debutante beginner In French, débutante is the feminine form of débutant -
beginner (noun) or beginning (adj). In both languages, it also refers to a
young girl making her formal début into society. Interestingly, this usage is
not original in French; it was adopted back from English.
décolletage
décolleté low neckline
lowered neckline The first is a noun, the second an adjective, but both refer
to low necklines on women's clothing.
dégustation tasting The French word simply refers to the act of tasting,
while in English "degustation" is used for a tasting event or party, as in
wine or cheese tasting.
déjà vu already seen This is a grammatical structure in French, as in Je
l'ai déjà vu=> I've already seen it. It can also disparage a style or
technique that has already been done, as in Son style est déjà vu=> His style
is not original.
In English, déjà vu refers to the scientific phenomenon of feeling like you
have already seen or done something when you're sure that you haven't: a
feeling of déjà vu = une impression de déjà vu.
demimonde half world 1. A marginal or disrespectful group
2. Prostitutes and/or kept women
demitasse half cup Refers to a small cup of espresso or other strong coffee.
démodé out of fashion Same meaning in both languages: outmoded, out of fashion
de rigueur of rigueur Socially or culturally obligatory
dernier cri last cry The newest fashion or trend
de trop of too much Excessive, superfluous
double entendre double hearing A word play or pun. For example, you're
looking at a field of sheep and you say "How are you (ewe)?"
du jour of the day "Soup du jour" is nothing more than an elegant-sounding
version of "soup of the day."
eau de Cologne water from Cologne This is often cut down to simply "cologne"
in English. Cologne is the French and English name for the German city Köln.
eau de toilette toilet water Toilet here does not refer to a commode - see
toilette, below. Eau de toilette is a very weak perfume.
en banc on the bench Legal: indicates that the entire membership of a court
is in session.
en bloc in a block In a group, all together
encore again A simple adverb in French, "encore" in English refers to an
additional performance, usually requested with audience applause.
enfant terrible terrible child Refers to a troublesome or embarrassing
person within a group (of artists, thinkers, etc).
en garde on guard Warning that one should be on his/her guard, ready for an
attack (originally in fencing).
en masse in mass In a group, all together
en route on route On the way
en suite in sequence Part of a set, together
esprit de corps group spirit Similar to team spirit or morale
fait accompli done deed Fait accompli seems more fatalistic to me than done
deed, which is so factual.
faux false, fake I once saw an ad for "genuine faux pearls." No worries that
those pearls might be real, I guess - you were guaranteed fake ones. :-)
faux pas false step, trip Something that should not be done, a foolish mistake.
femme fatale deadly woman An alluring, mysterious woman who seduces men into
compromising situations
fiancé
fiancée engaged person, betrothed Note that fiancé refers to a man and
fiancée to a woman.
film noir black movie Black is a literal reference to the stark
black-and-white cinematography style, though films noirs tend to be
figuratively dark as well (e.g., morbid, bleak, depressing, etc).
fin de siècle end of the century Hyphenated in English, fin-de-siècle refers
to the end of the 19th century.
fleur-de-lis
fleur-de-lys flower of lily A type of iris or an emblem in the shape of an
iris with three petals.
folie à deux craziness for two Mental disorder which occurs simultaneously
in two people with a close relationship or association.
force majeure greater force Refers to superior/greater force, or to an
unexpected or uncontrollable event, such as "an act of God" like a tornado or
earthquake.
gamine playful,
little girl Refers to an impish or playful girl/woman.
gauche left, awkward Tactless, lacking social grace
genre type Used mostly in art and film - "I really like this genre..."
haute couture high sewing High-class, fancy (and expensive) clothing styles
haute cuisine high cuisine High-class, fancy (and expensive) cooking or food
hors de combat out of combat Out of action
hors d'oeuvre outside of work An appetizer. Oeuvre here refers to the main
work (course), so hors d'oeuvre simply means something besides the main course.
idée fixe set idea Fixation, obsession
je ne sais quoi I don't know what Used to indicate a "certain something," as
in "I really like Ann. She has a certain je ne sais quoi that I find very
appealing."
joie de vivre joy of living The quality in people who live life to the fullest
laissez-faire let it be A policy of non-interference. Note the expression in
French is laisser-faire.
maître d'
maître d'hôtel master of
master of hotel The former is more common in English, which is strange since
it is incomplete: "The 'master of' will show you to your table."
mal de mer sickness of sea Seasickness
mardi gras fat Tuesday Celebration before Lent
matinée morning In English, refers to the day's first showing of a movie or
play. Can also refer to a midday romp with one's lover.
ménage à trois household of three Sexual threesome
mot juste right word Exactly the right word or expression.
née born Used in genealogy to refer to a woman's maiden name: Anne Miller
née (or nee) Smith.
noblesse oblige obligated nobility The idea that those who are noble are
obliged to act noble.
nom de guerre war name Pseudonym
nom de plume pen name This French phrase was coined by English speakers in
imitation of nom de guerre.
nouveau riche new rich Disparaging term for someone who has recently come
into money.
nouvelle cuisine new cuisine
objet d'art art object Note that the French word objet does not have a c -
you should never write "object d'art"
papier mâché mashed paper Used for art
par excellence by excellence Quintessential, preeminent, the best of the best
pas de deux step of two Dance with two people
peau de soie skin of silk Soft, silky fabric with a dull finish
petite small, short It may sound chic, but petit is simply the feminine
French adjective "short."
petit-four little oven Small dessert, especially cake
pièce de résistance piece of stamina In French, this originally referred to
the main course - the test of your stomach's stamina. In both languages, it
now refers to an outstanding accomplishment or the final part of something - a
project, a meal, etc.
pied-à-terre foot on ground A temporary or secondary place of residence.
prêt-à-porter ready to wear
protégé protected Someone whose training is sponsored by an influential person.
raison d'être reason for being Purpose, justification for existing
rendez-vous go to In French, this refers to a date or an appointment
(literally, it is the verb se rendre - to go - in the imperative); in English
we can use it as a noun or a verb (let's rendez-vous at 8pm).
repartee quick, accurate response The French repartie gives us the English
"repartee," with the same meaning of a swift, witty, and "right on" retort.
risqué risked Suggestive, overly provocative
roman à clés novel with keys Novel with real people appearing as fictional
characters
roman-fleuve novel river A long, multi-volume novel which presents the
history of several generations of a family or community. In both French and
English, saga tends to be used more.
rouge red The English refers to a reddish cosmetic or metal/glass-polishing
powder, and can be a noun or a verb.
RSVP respond please This abbreviation stands for Répondez, s'il vous plaît,
which means that "Please RSVP" is redundant.
sang-froid cold blood The ability to maintain one's composure.
sans without Used mainly in academia, although it's also seen in the font
style "sans serif" => without decorative flourishes.
savoir-faire knowing how to do Synonymous with tact or social grace.
savoir-vivre to know how to live Manners, etiquette
soi-disant self saying What one claims about oneself; so-called, alleged
soigné taken care of 1. Sophisticated, elegant, fashionable
2. Well-groomed, polished, refined
soirée evening In English, refers to an elegant party.
soupçon suspicion Used figuratively like hint: There's just a soupçon of
garlic in the soup.
souvenir memory, keepsake A memento
succès d'estime success of estime Important but unpopular success or achievement
succès fou crazy success Wild success
tableau vivant living picture A scene made up of silent, motionless actors
table d'hôte host table 1. A table for all guests to sit together
2. A fixed-price meal with multiple courses
tête-à-tête head to head A private talk or visit with another person
toilette toilet In French, this refers both to the toilet itself and
anything related to toiletries; thus the expression "to do one's toilette" -
brush hair, do makeup, etc. See eau de toilette, above.
touché touched Originally used in fencing, now equivalent to "you got me."
tour de force turn of strength Something which takes a great deal of
strength or skill to accomplish.
trompe l'oeil trick the eye A painting style which uses perspective to trick
the eye into thinking it is real. In French, trompe l'oeil can also refer in
general to artifice and trickery.
vis-à-vis (de) face to face In French, when vis-à-vis precedes a noun and
means facing, next to, or towards, it must be followed by the preposition de.
In English it means "compared to" or "in relation with": vis-à-vis this
decision=> vis-à-vis de cette décision.
Voilà ! There it is! Nearly every time I see this in English, it is
misspelled as "voilá" or "violà."
voir dire seeing saying Jury selection
vol-au-vent flight of the wind In both French and English, a vol-au-vent is
a very light pastry shell filled with meat or fish with sauce.
French has also given English scores of words in the domains of ballet and
cooking. The literal meanings of the French words are (in parentheses).
Ballet terms: barre (bar), chaîné (chained), chassé (chased), développé
(developed), effacé (shaded), pas de deux (two step), pirouette (turn), plié
(bent), relevé (lifted)...
Cooking terms: blanch (from blanchir => to bleach), sauté (fried over high
heat), fondue (melted), purée (crushed), flambée (burned)...
Syllabi
French I
Syllabus for French I
Teacher: Kathleen Matchunis
Rm#: 610
Planning: 6th & 7th hour (12:55-2:40)
Tel. #. (754) 322-0500 x 3084
Text: Discovering French Nouveau Bleu ($61.47)
Discovering French Nouveau Bleu Workbook ($20.00)
Course Description: French I is an introduction into the French language and
culture, including
vocabulary, grammatical structures, and information on French culture from a
variety of French-
speaking countries.
Grading Scale, evaluation process, class requirements, attendance, policies,
general classroom rules,
supplies, and student responsibilities distributed to students the first day
of class as a contract,
signed by student and parent.
Topics to be Covered:
Semester1
Unit 1 :Meeting people, greeting people, talking about other people, and
introducing one's family.
Unit 2: Saying you are hungry, saying you are thirsty, paying at a cafe in
France, taling about time, talking about dates, talking about the weather.
Unit 3: Describing daily activities, talking about where people are, finding
out what is going on, inviting friends to do things with you, expanding one's
conversational skills.
Semester 2
Unit 4: Describing yourself and other, describing your room, talking about
possessions, expanding one's conversational skislls, and talking past events.
Unit 5: Describing your city finding your way around, describing your home
and your family, making plans to do things in town, expanding one's
conversational skills, and talking about past events.
Unit 6: Talking about clothes, discussing shopping plans, buying clothes,
expanding one's conversationsal skills, and talking about past events.
Syllabus for French II
Teacher: Kathleen Matchunis
Rm. 610
Planning: 6th & 7th hrs.
Tel. 754 322-0500
Text: Discovering French Nouveau Blanc ($62.64)
Discovering French Nouveau Blanc workbook ($20.00)
Topics to be covered:
Semester 1:
Reprise STUDENTS WILL REVIEW counting, giving the date and telling time,
talking about the weather, describing various things they own, talking about
places where they go, talking about their daily activities, saying what they
like and don’t like to do, asking and answering questions
Unité 1 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to give basic information about themselves and
their family, to name many professions, to describe their friends and other
people, to say how they feel, to talk about what they plan to do and what they
have recently done, to introduce their friends to others, to make a telephone
call. In Culture, they will discover more about the diversity of France and
its people.
Unité 2 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to describe their weekend activities (whether to
stay at home or go to town), to talk about their other leisure activities, to
describe what they see when they go for a walk or a drive in the country, to
describe what they did yesterday, last weekend, or last summer, to talk more
generally about what happened in the past. In Culture, they will learn what
French young people do on weekends and how to take the subway in Paris.
Unité 3 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to talk about their favorite foods and beverages,
to order in a French café or restaurant, to shop for food in a French market,
to express what they want to do, what they can do and what they must do. In
Culture, they will learn where French people do their shopping and what kinds
of foods are typically served in French and Québecois restaurants.
Semester 2:
Unité 4 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to describe and discuss various forms of
entertainment, to discuss the types of movies they like, to talk about their
favorite stars, to extend, accept, and turn down invitations, to describe
their relationships with other people. In Culture, they will learn where
French young people like to go in their free time and what kind of
entertainment they prefer.
Unité 5 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to learn to name and describe their favorite
sports, to talk about their daily activities and personal care, to identify
various parts of the body and describe a person’s physical features, to
explain what they do to stay fit, to let a doctor know what is wrong when they
feel sick or in pain. In Culture, they will learn what sports French people
enjoy and how they keep in shape.
Unité 6 STUDENTS WILL LEARN to tell where they live, to describe their
residence, its rooms, and the furnishings, to say where they were doing at a
certain time in the past, to describe the background of a past action, to talk
about what they used to do on a regular basis. In Culture, they will learn
what the French mean when they say “chez moi,” and what French houses look like.
Curriculum Details
Reprise Numbers, telling the date (days of the week and months of the year),
telling time, talking about the weather, definite and indefinite articles,
everyday objects, clothing, using à and de with definite articles, places,
possession using de, possessive, demonstrative, and interrogative adjectives,
conjugating regular verbs and their negative forms, making questions using
est-ce que, giving commands
Unité 1 Identity, nationality, family and friends, people, professions,
introductions, using the telephone, expressions with être, irregular
adjectives (forms and position), c’est vs. il/elle est, expressions with
avoir, expressions with faire, inversion questions, aller, aller + infinitive,
venir, venir de + infinitive, using depuis
Unité 2 Weekend activities, passé compose with avoir in positive, negative,
and questions, verbs prendre and mettre, voir, irregular past participles,
indefinites and their opposites, passé compose with être, the verbs sortir and
partir, il y a, weather expressions
Unité 3 Meals, the table, at a café, foods, the verbs pouvoir, vouloir, and
devoir, the partitive article, negating the partitive, the verb boire, verbs
with spelling and accent change, expressions of quantity (with and without
de), tout, il faut
Unité 4 Entertainments, movies, invitations, direct and indirect object
pronouns in sentences, negation, commands in simple and compound tenses, verbs
dire, lire, écrire, order of double object pronouns, verbs savoir and connaître
Unité 5 Sports, parts of the body, health, the pronoun y, the pronoun en,
using the definite article with parts of the body, reflexive verbs, daily
routine, using reflexive verbs in simple and compound tenses as well as in the
imperative
Unité 6 Rooms of a house, furnishings, the verb vivre, relative pronouns qui
and que, formation and use of the imparfait, differences in usage of passé
composé and imparfait
Syllabus for French III
Teacher: Kathleen Matchunis
Rm. # 610
Planning: 6th & 7th hrs.
Tel. 754 322-0500 x 3084
Text: Discovering French Nouveau Rouge ($62.57)
Discoverint French Nouveau Rouge Wkbk. ($25.00)
Topics to be covered:
Semester 1:
Unit 1: Review of French II, describing physical description, personal
hygiene,reflexive verbs, Daily routine, speaking in the past (passe compose of
reflexive verbs),physical condition and feelings, idiomatique expressions with
reflexive verbs.
Unit 2
Housework, asking for help, accepting help, refusing help, thanking people who
have helped you.
Selected readings, compositions, study of French Impressionism and surealism.
Great moments in French history, selections from French literature.
Semester 2
Unite 3
Vacation, fun, problems, describing events, storytelling, speaking in the past
tense, using the passe compose and the imparfait.
Great moments in French history: events and famous people.
Analysis of the film: Cyrano de Bergerac, analysis of literature.
History of France through famous chateaux.
Unit 4
How to make purchases, expressions for the beauty salon, barber shop, shoe
repair, dry cleaners, and at the photography shop.
Study of French music, history of French music, today's stars and those of the
past, modern music, French music in America, and classical music.
Syllabus for French IV
Teacher: Kathleen Matchunis
Rm. # 610
Planning: 6 & 7th
Telephone: (954) 322-0500 x 3084
Text: Discovering French Nouveau Rouge ($62.57)
Discovering French Nouveau Rouge Wkbk. ($25.00)
Topics to be covered:
Semester 1:
Unit 5: Vocabulary and expressionsfor the airport, customs, and the train
stattion. Students will learn to express themselves in the future tense as
well as the conditional. Selected readings for vocabulary and cultural
enrichment. Readings on significant historical events such as the revolution,
the Marseillaise, and Victor Hugo, as a writer and political figure.
Unite 6: Vocabulary and expressions for the hotel. Students will review and
expand upon the comparative and superlative structures. Students will learn
how to ask for services provided at a hotel. Students will master
interrogative, demonstrative, and possessive pronouns. Selected reading for
vocabulary and cultural enrichment. Readings on significant historical events,
Charles DeGaulle, a selected poet and a filmmaker.
Unit 7: Vocabulary and expression for a medical or dental visit. Students
will master the present and past subjunctive. Select readings for vocabulary
and cultural enrichment on topics such as the French in relation to other
Europeans, the European Union, an analysis of French society, the Muslim
influence in France, the dilemna of integration of foreigners into French
society, and racism in France.
Unit 8: Making and accepting dates. Students will master contrary to fact
statements, using the imperfect and the conditional. Explaining where one
lives. Review of the conditional tense in "if clauses" and other situations.
Students will master the past conditional. Use of verb tenses in "if clauses".
Selected readings for cultural and vocabulary enrichment on the French Antilles.