Academics

French Brochure

LE FRANÇAIS AU LYCÉE D’ELK GROVE

Have you ever closely looked at your passport? You will be surprised to find that it is written in both French and English, the two international languages. French is spoken in North America, in Québéc, in Louisiana, in Martinique, in Guadeloupe and Saint Martin. French is also an important language in many countries of Europe such as Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and several North African nations such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, The Ivory Coast to name a few.

Students who study French usually score 20% higher on their SAT tests due to their exposure to the many French words and expressions used in English.

Unlike the old stereotype, France is a highly technologically advanced country responsible for the development of the supersonic plane, The Concorde and the super fast train, the TGV and the super jumber jet the Airbus 380.

French is the second language of the Internet, after English. Many French companies have invested in the US and branches of such well known companies as IBM are stationed in France; thus opening career opportunities for American students.

The French Department at EGHS offers 5 levels including AP and focuses on the development of the speaking skills. Students who have studied French at the Junior High School level have an opportunity to take the full sequence and take the Advanced Placement test that will allow them to proficiency out of the language requirement in college or create an opportunity to graduate with double majors.

The University of Illinois in Champaign requires a minimum of 3 years of a foreign language for entrance.

The French Department has given the opportunity to its students to visit France in 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2005. Students experienced the many wonders of the most visited country in the world, more than 65 million tourists visit France each year.

During the school year, field trips are organized for students to experience the masterpieces of impressionist painters. Students have had the opportunity to see the Monet,Manet,Degas,Renoir,
Caillebotte, Gauguin, and Van Gogh exhibits. Students also enjoyed french foods at Kiki’s Bistro, Café Bernard, Le Saint-Germain, Hotel Sofitel, Cyrano and le Titi de Paris. Students have seen the plays La Leçon, Les Misérables and the opéra Carmen in recent years.

In the past 11 years, French students have had the option to take The National French Contest in March. It is a national exam that offers prizes such as a month stay in France. Several EGHS students have distinguished themselves by receiving national or local recognition. In 2001and in 2004 Rhiannon Schayer and Jennifer Freitag won the grand prize out of 95,000 contestants nationally. Others have placed in the top 11% and received local and national recognition as well.

National French Week, celebrated the second week of November, offers students an opportunity to organize many activities in and out of school as well as throughout the year. All students are invited participate in the FRENCH CLUB. This year, students have organized an immersion day and visits to the Junior High schools. We encourage those of you presently enrolled in French to continue your study of the language at EGHS and invite those of you who are not learning a foreign language to join us. Come and learn la langue de l’amour, de Voltaire, de Madeline, de Gérard Depardieu. You’ll see French is Fun and easy to learn. A Bientôt!

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