Leçon 2:workbook + audiocassette

Elementary French for beginners using "French in Action"
by Professor Nicole Vaget: Oct.19 = Day 2: lesson in class with moderators (workbook + audiocassette)

Working on material in workbook with audio-tapes.

Listen to the dramatized version of the text in the video and listen to the audio tapes before you read the written version in the text book.

2.1 Text work-up. This exercise will help you identify and practice the important words and structures of the lesson. You will hear key words repeated several times. You will hear a single or double musical signal followed by a pause.

When you hear a single bip : you repeat loudly and clearly the phrase you just heard.
When you hear a double bip : you answer the question. After the pause you will hear the correct response. The questions can usually be answered with the same words you previously repeated.

2.2 - 2.5 Aural comprehension. Interactive exercises with your tape and your workbook

Study text and pictures: It is at this point that you should look at your text book and read the written version of the lesson. Look at the illustrations and at their captions.
Read the questions of the "Mise en oeuvre" in the textbook. You should now be ready to answer them easily.

2.6 - 2.7 Pronunciation; division into syllables: French syllables are built around the vowels which are the most important sounds in the word. To each vowels corresponds a syllable.

Mireille = <mi-rèj> = A syllable starts always with a consonant
Hubert =<u-bèr> = A vowel alone can be a syllable + the last consonant of French words is not pronounced
Véronique = <vé-ro-nik> / Ma-lade = <ma-lad> = The mute e is not pronounced at the end of the words. However the consonant in front is pronounced.

The vowels are A E I O U. The consonnants are all the other letters of the alphabet: B C D F G H J K L M N P Q R S T V W X Z.

The most important thing to remember is that the French vowells are the musical element of the language; they mark its rythm. It is important to pronounce them correctly.

I there is only 1 way to pronounce it : il rit = <il-ri>

A there are 2 ways to pronounce it: papa = <pa-pa> / âme<A-me>

O there are 2 ways to pronounce it: la robe = <la-rob> / l'eau = <lO>

U there are 2 ways to pronounce it: la rue = <la-ru> / la roue = <la-rO>

E there are 5 ways to pronounce it:

l'été = <lé-té> / les = <lé> / des = <dé> / nez = <né> / passer = <pa-ssé>
lait = <lè>/ et = <è> / est = <è> /
deux yeux bleus = <deu-zieu-bleu>
ma soeur = <ma-soeur>, le coeur = <le-koeur> la floeur = <la-floeur>
le = <le> / me = <me> / se = <se> / le = <le>

There are also 4 nazales vowels as in: <un-bon-vin-blanc>

<un>= un
<on>= bon / bonjour=<bon-jour> / nous allons=<nO za- lon>
<in>= vin
<an>= blanc
<il-pleu-sur-la-vil-ko-mil-pleur-dan-mon-koeur>

<kè-lè-sèt-lan-goeur-ki-pé-nètr-mon-koeur>

(Il pleut sur la ville comme il pleure dans mon coeur,

Quelle est cette langueur qui pénètre mon coeur?)

2.8 Forms of address

When adressing several people in the plural form, you always use "vous".
When adressing one person:
- "Vous" is formal and polite. You use "vous" when you meet a stranger. Adressing a stranger with "tu" is condescending and rude. "Vous" can be safely used anywhere; it is a mark of respect as well as a means to signal that you want to keep your distance. Mireille uses "vous" with her professor, and he with her. Both indicating respect for each other.
- "Tu" is familiar. You use it with family and friends. However if meeting somebody for the first time, you want to indicate a spontaneaous sympathy as well as your desire to become friend with the person, you can use "tu". (At the risk of being told: "Dis, on n'a pas gardé les cochons ensemble!"

2.9 - 2.11 Personal subject pronouns

A pronoun replaces a noun, therefor it has the same function as a noun.

It can be subject: Mireille va à la fac.
It can be direct object: Mireille embrasse Hubert.
It can be indirect object: Mireille parle à Ousmane
It can be complement of preposition: Mireille va à la fac.

The personal pronouns follow the patern of a verb conjugation:

Personal Subject Pronouns 1st person 2nd person 3rd person

Singular je tu il/elle

Plural nous vous ils/elles

2.12 - 2.17 Verb "aller"

It is an irregular verb since its stems vary with the conjugation

Regular verb: aller Irregular verb: rencontrer (to meet sby

Je vais Je rencontre

Tu vas Tu rencontres

Il va Il rencontre

Nous allons Nous rencontrons

Vous allez Vous rencontrez

Ils vont Ils rencontrent

2.17,2.18 Dictation. This exercise is used not so much to check your spelling as to give you practice inrecognizing the words and phrases you hear.

2.19: I"Aller" has different meanings

"Fido va bien" (I am speaking of his health)
"Mireille va à la fac" (I am telling you where she is going)

2.20,2.21 Adverbs and adjectives

Adverbs modify a verb Adjectives qualify a noun

Je ne vais pas bien = je vais mal Je suis fatiguée

Je vais bien Je ne suis pas fatiguée

2.22 - 2.24 Negation = ne ... pas

Il ne va pas à la fac . Il n'est pas pressé.
Tante Georgette ne va pas bien. Elle ne va pas fort. Mireille n'est pas malade. Hubert n'est pas fatigué.

2.25 - 2.2.26 - 2.27 TESTS to be done in class

Personal Subject Pronouns	1st person	2nd person	3rd person
Singular	je	tu	il/elle
Plural	nous	vous	ils/elles

Regular verb: aller	Irregular verb: rencontrer (to meet sby
Je vais	Je rencontre
Tu vas	Tu rencontres
Il va	Il rencontre
Nous allons	Nous rencontrons
Vous allez	Vous rencontrez
Ils vont	Ils rencontrent

Adverbs modify a verb	Adjectives qualify a noun
Je ne vais pas bien = je vais mal	Je suis fatiguée
Je vais bien	Je ne suis pas fatiguée