The Shambhala High School French program is an activity-based core French program. The program has been designed as a student-centered approach to learning. It provides a variety of hands-on activities, which emphasize relevancy to the student's world.

The program encourages independence, wherein students assume responsibility for their own education in terms of homework, papers and preparation of examination with the understanding that they fulfill a standard of appropriateness required for the course. It also allows for recognition of individual abilities and interests for better achievement of academic and personal goals. Incorporated into the learning process is the student's existent knowledge. The program encourages risk-taking, problem solving and creativity to develop unique skills.

French 10, 11 and 12

Students develop skills, attitudes and aptitudes needed for communicative competence. They are encouraged to learn to speak, listen, comprehend, write and negotiate in French as a second language. Since each skill is interdependent and reciprocal, an equal proportion of classroom time is devoted to skills acquisition. The program exposes the students to authentic contexts in order that a communicative competence may be produced. As each level progresses, the ability in the second language to concentrate on the five areas of learning is combined with student interest and need.

French 10 (academic, 1 credit)

The students learn to read, write and speak in authentic situations appropriate to their learning levels and interests. The students develop the ability to listen, discuss and write and to negotiate constructively in groups. They also learn to express opinions, feelings and ideas in both a written and oral format. The primary focus is to develop confidence in speaking French.

French 11 (academic, 1 credit)

Students experientially explore their own interests in order to develop the five areas of language acquisition, i.e., learning to speak, listen, comprehend, write and negotiate French as a second language. There is an enrichment of vocabulary through a variety of sources both written and spoken. The students develop the ability to express descriptive and argumentative forms of expression in both verbal and written forms.

French 12 (academic, 1 credit)

At this level, more reading is encouraged in order to enhance the linguistic capabilities of both the written and spoken word. Vocabulary continues to be enhanced and grammar components continue to be introduced into the creative learning environment. The students develop the ability to express analytic and narrative forms of expression. Resources used for French 420, 430 and 440 include dictionaries, grammar books, books of reference, encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers, videos, tourist guides and flyers, art books, posters, and French, Qu�becois and Acadian novels and poetry. Authors include Marie Claire-Blais, Antonine Maillet, Nelligan, Tremblay, Maupassant, Hugo, Moli�re, Rabelais, Meaulnes, Fournier and Eluard. Visiting writers and educators also enhance the program. There is an activity-based approach, including discussion, dialogue, video, media, recorded materials and novels. These activities use language as a vehicle to a more authentic vision of understanding.

Achievement is measured by the students' preparation of materials, participation, interaction, and enthusiasm for the activities and by their ability to use language to achieve task goals. Assessment involves student self-evaluation, and the evaluation of the learning components to speak, listen, comprehend, write and negotiate French. Assessment involves a variety of strategies. Small classes enable our programs to meet individual interests and abilities, which includes students with French immersion experience.