French
The French language is a thousand years old and has created one of Europe's greatest cultures. Much of the world's finest philosophy, cinema, history, science and literature are in French. French is one of Canada's official languages and is indispensable for anyone seeking a national career in any field. Possible career choices for students pursuing French include but are not limited to translation, interpretation, federal government, commerce, international affairs, teaching, art, architecture, music, tourism and hospitality (international hotel/ resorts management, human resource management and event planning), and the oil and gas industry due to the international presence within these companies.
A program of three first-year French courses is offered. The courses are designed to progress quickly from basic French to readiness for more advanced work at the second-year level. All three courses provide a balance of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and all three stress accuracy in written French.
If you have completed core French:
(Not French immersion)
Selection of a French course depends on a student's background and ability in French. Most new students may choose either French 1500 or 1501. Students who receive less than 80 per cent in French 3200 or 3201, should begin with French 1500. Students with a stronger background (80 per cent or more in French 3200 or 3201), especially those wishing to progress more quickly to second-year French, should begin with 1501. Students attending the St. John's campus, who are unsure of where to begin their study of French should consult the co-ordinator of first-year French, Dr. Barbara Thistle, at 709 864 8565, thistleb@mun.ca or french@mun.ca. Students attending Grenfell Campus should contact Dr. Matthew Janes at 709 637 6200, majanes@swgc.mun.ca
Students may not normally register concurrently for more than one of French 1500, 1501 and 1502.
French 1502 is reserved for students who have successfully completed French 1501 with a final grade of at least 60 per cent or who have a very strong background in French. Those who have not completed French 1501 will be required to obtain the permission of the co-ordinator of first-year French to register for French 1502.
If you have completed French immersion:
Students who have completed French immersion in high school with 80 per cent or more and students with an outstanding academic record in extended or accelerated French should register for French 2159.
The Department of French and Spanish permits students to challenge for credit a maximum of two of the following courses: French 1500, 1501, 1502. Students who challenge these courses for credit will be evaluated in all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
Notes:
- Students whose native language is French may not challenge 1500, 1501 or 1502 for credit. They will not normally be allowed to register for first-year courses.
- Students who attain a grade of less than four on the Advanced Placement examination in French language and students who need to review material studied at the secondary level, should register for French 1502.
- Study away in second year: As you choose your first-year French courses, keep in mind that you may want to take advantage of the Frecker Program in second year. Admission to this program is competitive based on final grades from French 1502. It is a total immersion program in St. Pierre-et-Miquelon where you will enrol in five MUN French courses and live with a French family. The program is offered every fall semester and, when resources permit, in winter semester as well. Besides Frecker, the department offers study-away opportunities in France for third- and fourth-year students.
- Native francophones should contact the arts division at Grenfell Campus at 709 637 6215.
- Students who feel they should be in a higher level French than is recommended by the chart above are invited to speak with the French department at the beginning of the semester and arrange to write the diagnostic test.
- If you are from a province not listed above or are an international student, please contact the French department for assistance with course selection.
Study away in second year: As you choose your first-year French courses, keep in mind that you may want to take advantage of the Frecker Program in second year. Admission to this program is competitive based on final grades from French 1502. It is a total immersion program in St. Pierre-et-Miquelon where you will enrol in five MUN French courses and live with a French family. The program is offered every fall semester and, when resources permit, in winter semester as well. Besides Frecker, the department offers study-away opportunities in France for third- and fourth-year students.
Sample first-year program for students interested in studying French:
| Fall Semester | Winter Semester |
| French (see course criteria chart below for guidelines on course selection) | French (see course criteria chart below for guidelines on course selection) |
| English 1080 (or 1020) | English 1101, 1102, 1103 or 1110 (or 1021) |
| A research & writing course | A research & writing course |
| A numeracy/science course | A numeracy/science course |
| A course in minor subject | A course in minor subject |
| A Humanities or Social Science course | A Humanities or Social Science course |
French 1500
Introductory University French I is a course for beginners and for students whose background in French is very weak. Permission to register for this course will not be given to students who have completed Français 3202 (high school French immersion).
Lectures: Three hours per week
Conversation/Multi-Media Laboratory: Two per week
Prerequisite: None
Note: French 1500 is offered every semester. During fall and winter it is available evenings and online.
French 1501
Introductory University French II
Lectures: Three hours per week
Conversation/Multi-Media Laboratory: Two per week
Prerequisite: High school French 3200 or 3201 with a final grade of 80 per cent or permission of the co-ordinator of first-year French. Ex-immersion students with less than 60 per cent should register for this course.
Note: French 1501 is offered every semester. During fall and winter it is available evenings and online.
French 1502
Introductory University French III
Lectures: Three hours per week
Conversation/Multi-Media Laboratory: Two per week
Prerequisite: French 1501 with a final grade of at least 60 per cent or high school French 3201 with a final grade of 90 per cent or permission of the co-ordinator of first-year French.
Note: French 1502 is offered every semester. During fall and winter it is also available in the evenings. It is also available online.
Note: Students may use only two of French 1500, 1501 and 1502 towards the minimum requirements for a major or minor in French. They are encouraged to consult their adviser or instructor about possibilities for further study in French-speaking areas.
French 2100
Intermediate French I is a course on composition, grammar and practice in oral skills.
Lectures: Three hours per week
Prerequisite: High school French immersion with a final grade of 80 per cent or an exceptional background in French or completion of French 1502 with a final grade of at least 60 per cent.
Note: Students who obtain a grade of less than four on the Advanced Placement examination in French language and students who have received less than 80 per cent in French Immersion 3202 should register for French 1502 rather than French 2100.
French 2159
Advanced French for First-Year Students is primarily intended to build on the language skills acquired by students in immersion programs. Development of reading, writing, listening and speaking ability through practical oral and written exercises. Other qualified students may register with the permission of the head of department.
Lectures: Three hours per week
Prerequisite: High school French 3202 with a grade above 80 per cent.
Course Criteria Chart for French - St. John's Campus
| Recommended course | Newfoundland and Labrador | New Brunswick | Nova Scotia | P.E.I. |
| French 1500 | French 3200 or 3201 with a grade less than 80 per cent. Permission to register for this course will not be given to students who have completed Français 3202 or 3212 (high school French immersion). | French 6130 (French I) or French 6140 (French II) with a grade less than 75 per cent | Core French 10 or 11 or Core French or French Extended Core 11 with a grade less than 75 per cent | French 421A or 521A or French 621A with a grade less than 75 per cent |
| French 1501 | French 3200 or 3201 with a grade of at least 80 per cent
This course is only appropriate for graduates of French immersion programs if they have less than 60 per cent. |
French 6140 (French II) with a grade of at least 75 per cent or French immersion with a grade less than 75 per cent | Core French 12 or French Extended Core 11 with a grade of at least 75 per cent or French Extended Core 12 or French immersion with a grade less than 75 per cent | French 621A with a grade of at least 75 per cent or French immersion with a grade less than 75 per cent |
| French 1502 | Core French with a grade of at least 90 per cent and graduates of French immersion programs with a final grade in 3202, extended or accelerated French less than 80 per cent | French immersion with a grade less than 80 per cent (need waiver from French department) | French Extended Core 12 with a grade of at least 75 per cent or French immersion with a grade less than 80 per cent (need waiver from French department) | French immersion with a grade less than 80 per cent (need waiver from French department) |
| French 2159 | Français 3202 or 3212 (immersion programs) with a grade of at least 80 per cent; students who achieve a grade of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement examination in French language are normally well prepared for French 2159. Students who received a grade lower than 80 per cent in Français 3202 or 3212 should consult with the French department on their recommended course. | French immersion with a grade of at least 80 per cent | French immersion with a grade of at least 80 per cent | French immersion with a grade of at least 80 per cent |
Course Criteria Chart for French - Grenfell Campus
| Recommended Course | Newfoundland and Labrador | New Brunswick | Nova Scotia | P.E.I. |
| French 1500 | Students with a limited background in French (including students who have completed high school Core French below French 3201). Permission to register for this course will not normally be given to students who have completed Français 3202 or 3212 (high school French immersion). | French 6130 (French I) or French 6140 (French II) with a grade less than 75 per cent | Fre-Core 10 or 11 or Fre-Core 12 or Fre-Ext 11 with a grade less than 75 per cent | French 421A or 521A or French 621A with a grade less than 75 per cent |
| French 1501 | French 3201 or Français 3202 or 3212 (high school French immersion). | French 6140 (French II) with a grade of at least 75 per cent or French immersion | Fre-Core 12 or Fre-Ext 11 with a grade of at least 75 per cent or Fre-Ext 12 or French immersion | French 621A with a grade of at least 75 per cent or French immersion |
