We will start with Irish author John Boyne's amazing novel about Germans and the Holocaust from the point of view of a young boy:The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 1.The year is 1943. When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his family must move from their home to a new house far away, where there are no neighbours and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance. Bruno decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye, so sets out to explore...The excellent 2008 film directed by Mark Herman is very truthful to the book and you will certainly shed a few tears over Bruno's moving story.
The Giver is a fascinating, thought-provoking book about a fictional society. It will provide you with many opportunities to discuss major issues about the society portrayed in the Giver as well as our society, discussions that will be held in class, in small groups, will fuel ideas for essay writing .
Grammar topics will be introduced in context, then practised, exercised and mastered with exercises from various course books. You don't need to purchase a grammar book.You should expect to be assigned several grammar exercises as homework every week. Most of the grammar exercises are self-corrected, so be sure to come to class with questions on matters that are unclear to you. Highlight or underline any sentence which you haven't understood while doing your exercises, I shall answer your questions. Your first year of English in high school will cover basic tenses - (Present, Past, Present Perfect, Futures, simple and continuous forms, ) as well as Articles, Adjectives, Pronouns and Nouns.
Vocabulary4
Speaking
Major oral presentations in front of the class (at least one each semester, on English-speaking countries in the world and on bands or singers of your choice), in pairs or groups, will challenge your speaking skills.
Remember you are not allowed to read, only notes and keywords will be accepted. You will also be expected to present summaries/activities in connection with the books we read. While reading, all activities which involve sharing information with your classmates or presenting feedback on a chapter you have read for homework, alone or in group, will give you opportunities to practise your oral expression. Always make the effort to ask and answer questions in English! It's rewarding.
Listening and understanding
During classes, I speak English only so your listening skills will be constantly challenged. We will watch films in connection with the novels we read in their original version. You can practice at home watching most series in English. Going to our language laboratory will also enable you to practice your interactive communication skills. Watching and listening to the latest news on the BBC will be part of the curriculum. If you have trouble understanding what I say, you are most welcome to ask me to repeat, I will do so. I am ready to find alternatives to let my explanations sink into your mind - other words, gestures, drawings, ... - but bear in mind French should be avoided as much as possible. However, as soon as the bell rings, feel free to come to my desk and ask for extra explanations, then we may chat in French.
Documents and internet
Most of the material which I hand out to students can be found in your class folder on Moodle6 or on my blog7, allowing students to access a document even if they have been absent or if it happens to be lost .
In case of absence or illness, it is each student's responsibility to inquire about the material received or the assignments due. You always have the opportunity to contact me by e-mail6.
Tests and marks
Small vocabulary tests will be grouped and their average (decimal, rounded) will give you one full mark equivalent to any other mark you will get in writing, reading comprehension, ... .You will have an extra vocabulary test so you will be allowed to leave out the worst mark if you have attended all tests at the end of the school year. In addition to the vocabulary tests mentioned above, expect two tests in each skill (reading comprehension, writing, speaking and listening) plus two major grammar tests. All the tests are worth the same , except vocabulary tests. It is your job to keep your marks updated.
Teacher’s word
Please be sure to come to class prepared (which means ready for tests , exercises done or chapters read), with all the necessary equipment for each lesson. I hand out a lot of photocopies, make an effort to organize them into files so as to find them easily when needed. Switch off your cell phones and open your mind.
Finally, if you find yourself in trouble, academically or otherwise, please come and see me sooner rather than later so we can work together to find a way to get you back on track. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I will make time to see you one-on-one. I hope this will be a good year for you in English.
Martine Guignard
pronunciation on youtube : www.emmasaying.com
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