This course focuses on the development of speaking and listening
skills in French. Students will learn to carry out a number of
communicative tasks, such as asking for information, expressing
opinions, giving advice, etc., while discussing a variety of topics,
such as personal history, every day activities, personal interests,
and current events.  Other goals include helping students recognize
and use appropriate registers and styles of spoken French. The course
also aims to foster an understanding of France and French society and
some awareness of issues in other French-speaking countries and
regions. Materials will include film excerpts and news broadcasts,
audio samples of radio programs, and songs, some of which students may
access through the course web site. Since this is a course in oral
communication, participation and preparation are a very important part
of the final grade. The course grade is based on the following: class
participation, homework preparation, oral presentations and debates, a
midterm oral presentation project, gradually graded listening
comprehension exercises, and a final examination in an interview
format. There will also be non-graded exercises in listening
comprehension to be done during an unsupervised weekly laboratory
hour. Prerequisite: F250 or the equivalent.