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Revision 3 closed March 26, replaced by current version.
Delivery mode: Individualized study with video/audio components.*
*Overseas students, please contact the University Library before registering in a course that has an audio/visual component.
Credits: 3 - Humanities. This course may be taken for credit towards most degree programs. It cannot, however, be applied to the BA major in French.
Prerequisite: This course is demanding for those with no knowledge of French. A good knowledge of English grammar is essential. Students are advised not to take FREN 100 and FREN 101 simultaneously.
Precluded course: FREN 103 (FREN 100 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for FREN 103.)
Centre: Centre for Language and Literature
FREN 100 is not available for challenge.
Course website
French for Beginners I introduces the student to the basic elements of the French language. Both oral and written expressions are emphasized in the study of vocabulary, grammar, and idiomatic expressions. Pronunciation, oral comprehension, and reading and writing skills are also emphasized. The course, together with its complement FREN 101, will enable a student to speak and write in simple French in a range of everyday situations.
French in Action: Lessons 1—13 (Genèse, Familles, Portraits, Généalogie, Vacances, Rencontres). French in Action is the basic vocabulary building component of FREN 100.
En bons termes: Chapitres 1—10. En bons termes is the basic grammar component of FREN 100.
Students are required to complete four tutor-marked written exercises, four oral exercises, two comprehensive written assignments, one written examination and one oral examination. The weight allocated to each marked assignment is outlined below. In order to pass FREN 100 students must achieve a minimum grade of 50 percent on the written examination and a minimum composite course grade of “D” (50 percent). The weighting of the course assignments is as follows:
| Tutor-marked Written Exercises (4 x 5% each) | 20% |
| Comprehensive Written Exercises (Compositions) (2 x 5% each) | 10% |
| Tutor-marked Oral Exercises (4 x 2.5% each) | 10% |
| Final Oral Exam | 10% |
| Final Written Exam | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Parmentier, Michel A. and Diane Potvin. 2004. En bons termes. 6th ed. Scarborough, ON. Prentice Hall Canada.
Capretz, Pierre J., Béatrice Abetti, and Marie-Odile Germain. 1997. French in Action: The Capretz Method Part 1. 2nd ed. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
Parmentier, Michel A., Diane Potvin and A. Mister. 2004. En bons termes: Cahier de laboratoire. 6th ed. Scarborough, ON: Prentice Hall Canada.
The course materials include a student manual and an assignment manual.
Each lesson of French in Action is accompanied by a television or video component. Students must view each program. Videotapes can be borrowed from Athabasca University Library for students who cannot view the television programs on ACCESS, The Education Station throughout Alberta.