The second term for JSS 1 French offers a unique set of topics that will enhance students’ proficiency in French language skills. This comprehensive guide will cover all the essential topics in the curriculum, providing clear explanations, examples, reading assignments, and evaluation questions. Each topic is designed to improve students’ understanding of practical French language usage, focusing on key aspects such as expressing time, describing places, and giving directions.
1. Révision du Travail du Premier Trimestre et l’Examen (Revision of First Term Work and the Exam)
This topic is all about reviewing what you have learned in the first term. It’s important to go over the lessons thoroughly to reinforce your knowledge, identify areas of weakness, and prepare for exams.
Key Points:
- Review Vocabulary: Go over key words learned in the first term such as greetings, classroom phrases, and numbers.
- Grammar Practice: Review the grammatical structures like verb conjugations (especially for regular and irregular verbs), sentence construction, and question forms.
- Reading and Writing Practice: Revisit texts read in the first term and practice writing short compositions.
Reading Assignment:
- Go through your first-term French textbook and notes. Focus on the vocabulary and grammar rules you found difficult.
Evaluation Questions:
- What are the key topics covered in the first term?
- Can you list five key French verbs and conjugate them in the present tense?
- How do you form questions in French?
- Write a short paragraph about yourself using the vocabulary from the first term.
- What areas of French do you find most challenging?
2. Dire les Dates (Saying Dates)
This topic teaches how to express dates in French. Dates are an essential part of everyday language, whether you’re planning an event or writing about your schedule.
Key Points:
- Basic Structure: In French, the date is usually written in the format of “le” (the) + day + month. For example, le 14 janvier (January 14th).
- Days and Months: Learn the names of the days of the week and the months of the year.
Example:
- Aujourd’hui, c’est le 14 janvier (Today is January 14th).
- Mon anniversaire est le 5 février (My birthday is on February 5th).
Reading Assignment:
- Write five different dates in French using both the day of the week and the month.
Evaluation Questions:
- How do you say the date in French?
- What is the French word for “January”?
- How would you say “July 23rd” in French?
- What is the French phrase for “What is the date today?”
- Write the date of your birthday in French.
3. Expression du Temps, les Jours de la Semaine / Les Mois de l’Année (Expression of Time, Days of the Week / Months of the Year)
This topic focuses on expressing time in French, including days of the week and months of the year. Mastering these terms is essential for daily conversations.
Key Points:
- Days of the Week: Lundi, Mardi, Mercredi, Jeudi, Vendredi, Samedi, Dimanche (Monday to Sunday).
- Months of the Year: Janvier, Février, Mars, Avril, Mai, Juin, Juillet, Août, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Décembre.
Example:
- Je vais à l’école le lundi (I go to school on Monday).
- L’été commence en juin (Summer starts in June).
Reading Assignment:
- Write down the days of the week and the months of the year in French. Practice saying them aloud.
Evaluation Questions:
- How do you say “Monday” in French?
- What is the French word for “April”?
- What day of the week is “Jeudi”?
- How would you say “I work on Fridays” in French?
- List all the months of the year in French.
4. Que fait-on tous les jours de la semaine? (What Do We Do Every Day of the Week?)
This topic helps describe daily routines and activities. It’s about talking about what you do on different days of the week and expressing your habits.
Key Points:
- Daily Activities: Learn vocabulary to describe your daily activities like aller à l’école (go to school), faire les devoirs (do homework), and regarder la télévision (watch TV).
- Verb Conjugation: Practice using regular verbs in the present tense to talk about routine actions.
Example:
- Le lundi, je vais à l’école (On Monday, I go to school).
- Le vendredi, je fais du sport (On Friday, I do sports).
Reading Assignment:
- Write a daily routine schedule in French, mentioning different activities you do on different days of the week.
Evaluation Questions:
- How do you say “I go to school” in French?
- What is the French word for “homework”?
- List five activities you do daily and translate them into French.
- How do you ask someone what they do every day in French?
- What is your favorite activity to do on the weekend in French?
5. Parler du Temps: Quel Temps Fait-il Aujourd’hui? (Talking About the Weather: What’s the Weather Like Today?)
Understanding how to talk about the weather is important for everyday conversations. This topic will introduce you to common weather expressions in French.
Key Points:
- Common Weather Phrases: Il fait chaud (It’s hot), Il pleut (It’s raining), Il neige (It’s snowing).
- Describing the Weather: Learn to ask and respond to questions about the weather.
Example:
- Quel temps fait-il aujourd’hui? (What’s the weather like today?)
- Il fait froid et il pleut (It’s cold and it’s raining).
Reading Assignment:
- Practice describing the weather in your town or country in French.
Evaluation Questions:
- What does “Il fait chaud” mean?
- How do you ask about the weather in French?
- What is the French word for “snow”?
- Describe today’s weather in French.
- What is the French phrase for “It is sunny”?
6. Décrire la Vie Rurale (Describing Rural Life)
This topic focuses on describing life in rural areas, such as the countryside. Students will learn vocabulary related to farming, animals, and nature.
Key Points:
- Vocabulary: Ferme (farm), animaux (animals), champ (field), village (village).
- Describing Nature: Discuss the simplicity and beauty of rural life.
Example:
- La vie rurale est calme et paisible (Rural life is calm and peaceful).
- Il y a des animaux dans la ferme (There are animals on the farm).
Reading Assignment:
- Write a description of rural life in your country in French.
Evaluation Questions:
- How do you say “farm” in French?
- What is the French word for “village”?
- How would you describe rural life in a sentence?
- What animals do you associate with rural life in French?
- How is rural life different from urban life?
7. Décrire la Vie Urbaine (Describing Urban Life)
This topic focuses on urban life, or life in the city. You will learn about the hustle and bustle of cities, public transportation, and busy streets.
Key Points:
- Vocabulary: Ville (city), rue (street), immeuble (building), bus (bus).
- Contrast with Rural Life: Discuss the differences between life in a city and life in the countryside.
Example:
- La vie urbaine est animée et bruyante (Urban life is lively and noisy).
- Il y a beaucoup de voitures dans la ville (There are many cars in the city).
Reading Assignment:
- Write a paragraph describing your city or town in French, using urban vocabulary.
Evaluation Questions:
- What does “ville” mean in French?
- How do you describe urban life in French?
- What is the French word for “street”?
- How does city life differ from rural life in French?
- Write a sentence about your favorite thing to do in the city.
8. Visiter les Lieux Publics (Visiting Public Places)
This topic introduces the vocabulary and phrases used when visiting public places, like parks, museums, or libraries.
Key Points:
- Common Public Places: Parc (park), musée (museum), bibliothèque (library), hôpital (hospital).
- Asking Directions: Learn how to ask where public places are located.
Example:
- Je vais au musée demain (I am going to the museum tomorrow).
- Où est la bibliothèque? (Where is the library?).
Reading Assignment:
- Write down the names of five public places in your town or city in French.
Evaluation Questions:
- What does “musée” mean in French?
- How do you ask where a public place is in French?
- What is the French word for “park”?
- What public places do you like to visit?
- How would you say “I am going to the hospital” in French?
9. Indiquer le Chemin (Giving Directions)
This topic teaches you how to give and ask for directions in French, which is essential for navigating both urban and rural areas.
Key Points:
- Key Phrases: Tourner à gauche (turn left), tout droit (straight ahead), près de (near).
- Map Vocabulary: Learn about locations like carrefour (intersection), rue (street), and coin (corner).
Example:
- Allez tout droit et tournez à droite (Go straight ahead and turn right).
- Le café est près de l’école (The café is near the school).
Reading Assignment:
- Practice giving directions in your neighborhood in French.
Evaluation Questions:
- What does “tout droit” mean?
- How would you say “turn left” in French?
- What are two common ways to ask for directions in French?
- Write a set of directions to your school in French.
- What does “près de” mean?
10. Mon École Se Trouve à Côté de l’Hôpital Général (My School is Next to the General Hospital)
This final topic will focus on expressing locations. Learn how to describe the proximity of places to one another.
Key Points:
- Using Prepositions: à côté de (next to), en face de (opposite), près de (near).
- Describing Locations: Learn how to say where things are located in relation to each other.
Example:
- Mon école est à côté de l’hôpital général (My school is next to the general hospital).
- La bibliothèque est en face de la pharmacie (The library is opposite the pharmacy).
Reading Assignment:
- Write about the locations of five places in your town or city in French.
Evaluation Questions:
- What does “à côté de” mean?
- How do you say “opposite” in French?
- Describe the location of your school in French.
- How do you express proximity in French?
- Where is your favorite place located in French?