Culture Assimilator Stimulator 1

Unit 1: Leçons Préliminaires

1. Is it easier to learn French or English?

You are just beginning to learn French and your pen pal, Jean, is just beginning to learn English. You argue about which language is harder to learn! Who’s right?

So you think French is hard???

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert..

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to

present the present.

811) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

1. Is it easier to learn French or English?

Learning to speak French- Cliquez ici

1. Is it easier to learn French or English?

So, it is never easy to learn a new language and culture, but it can be a lot of fun! Don’t be shy about trying to speak- you can’t

be worse than Joey!

Factors affecting language learning-- critical period hypothesis, motivation, communicative needs

2. La Bise

2. La Bise

What is the situation shown in these images?

Would you consider doing this with your friends, family, and/or your

teachers?

2. La Bise

Faire La Bise en France

Regardez la vidéo. Cliquez sur le titre-

2. La Bise

1. If you are a guy and you meet another guy for the first time, do you “faire la bise?”

2. Would you “faire la bise” with your teacher?

3. If you come from a different country or culture, how do you greet your friends and family?

3. La Salle de Classe

Une Salle de Classe en France

Regardez la vidéo. Cliquez sur le titre-

3. La Salle de Classe

1. What differences do you see between this classroom in France and your French classroom?

2. What classroom items does she point out that you don’t normally see in your school?

4. tu vs. vous

You are eating at a restaurant with your family in Lyon and you are trying

to be polite. When the waiter asks you want you would like to drink you

say “je voudrais un coca, s’il te plaît.” He corrects you with “s’il vous plaît.”

What’s the big difference?

4. tu vs. vous

You only use the “tu” version with a close friend or one family

member. The “vous” form is used when you are speaking to

someone you do not know very well or when address more than

one person.

Additional Preliminary Unit Resources

• A guide to the basics of French Pronunciation for beginners

Unlocking the Keys to French Pronunciation- Cliquez ici

• Basic IntroductionsBasic Introductions- Cliquez ici

• The French AlphabetThe French Alphabet