• Semester 2 (Day)

Synopsis

The  aim  of  this  unit is to give the learners a  wide  coverage  of topics
which will be dealt with initially orally and aurally - as they would be in
primary schools.  As the learners' confidence and facility in using the language
develops, many of the original topics/themes will be revisited at greater depth
and they will begin to develop their skills in the reading and writing domains.
It is important that the learners become comfortable with using the French
language in a communicative way before embarking upon the intricacies of the
written language.

This unit will not merely be a French Language course.  Rather it will combine
three elements:  (1) French language via themes and aspects appropriate to the
learning of the French language and French culture; (2) teaching styles and
methodologies which will be appropriate for people who will be teaching in a
primary school environment;  (3) themes and aspects from other content areas
will be taught through French, such as Mathematics, Physical Education, Science,
Social Sciences, to give the learners familiarity with the vocabulary and
teaching styles to enable them to teach other primary content areas through
French.  This will not only help in the development of their language skills,
but will give them the appropriate modelling of how languages can be taught in
primary schools of the future.  Having experienced this learning method and
acquired their language skills in this manner they will be able to transfer
their knowledge of French, other content areas and how to teach primary LOTE
directly to teaching in the primary classroom.  As this approach combines
content and methodology, is communicative and student centred, there will
necessarily be a high commitment to participation in the classroom activities.