Events - Department Activities and Resources

In addition to being the subject in the classroom, exposure to French language and culture exists in other contexts, as well. The French department makes available opportunities for students to use French and to be exposed to francophone cultural experiences in a variety of contexts.
French Chapel

Meets every other week from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. during the fall and spring semesters in the Choir Roomo (in the basement of the College Chapel). Students are encouraged to help out or to organize the sessions themselves.

French television

 Calvin College subscribes to TV5, the international French-language television network. This channel is available on all televisions hooked up to the campus cable system on Channel 15. For program scheduling, see the TV5 website.

 

French Christmas party

Every year the French Department organizes a Christmas party. Please join us for bûche de Noël and singing.

The French Connection

The French Department’s newsletter for students, the French Connection, appears regularly throughout the school year and is available in the French Department.

  

Pause Café

Pause Café will be held on most Monday afternoons (see event schedule) from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. in "The Fish House" (lower level of Johnny's). Come take a break for French conversation with a French profesor and fellow students.

Tutoring Services

All students (especially those in core-level courses) who desire extra help with their French are encouraged to make use of the department's free tutoring services. The tutoring room is located in HH 418 (to the right of the entrance to the Spanish Department). In the department office ( HH 427), a schedule of tutors designated for each core-level language course is posted. Students interested in being tutored should consult the tutor list and contact the tutor assigned to the student's course level. Contact numbers are also posted on the bulletion board accross from ther office. As a courtesy to the tutor, please make contact with the tutor at least twenty-four hours in advance of your expected visit. Once you have made an appointment, please keep your appointment.

Tutors are recruited from advanced-level students whose work has been exemplary. Each spring, an announcement is made concerning the number of tutoring positions open for the following year. Majors and minors, especially those contemplating a career in teaching are invited to apply. For the 2008-2009 school year, Professor Vicki De Vries is the tutoring coordinator.

Students with Learning Disabilities
 Students designated as being at-risk can sometimes complete their language core requirements by the sequence FR 111, 112, 113: Multisensory Structured French I, II, III (4,3,4 s.h.)

This core-language sequence comprises three courses in the comprehension and use of spoken and written French, specially designed to meet the special needs of at-risk students. Materials are presented with an emphasis on understanding the nature of language. General language-learning skills are developed as specific foreign language goals are met. Students are assigned to this course on the basis of adequate documentation or being at-risk. Professor Konyndyk is the instructor for this program for 2008-2009.

Back to Top