To-do List

First of all, let’s create a to-do list of the topics you need to master:

1. Family Structures and Values:

• Understand the different types of family structures and values across cultures.

• Research the roles and expectations of family members in various societies.

• Review the French vocabulary related to family structures, such as "la famille nucléaire" (nuclear family) and "la famille élargie" (extended family).

2. Parenting and Education:

• Learn about different approaches to parenting and education in various cultures.

• Study the French education system and compare it to other systems around the world.

• Review the vocabulary related to education, such as "l'éducation" (education), "l'école" (school), and "les devoirs" (homework).

3. Marriage and Relationships:

• Understand the traditions and customs surrounding marriage and relationships in different cultures.

• Research the current laws and societal views on marriage and relationships in France.

• Review the French vocabulary related to relationships, such as "le mariage" (marriage), "le divorce" (divorce), and "l'amitié" (friendship).

4. Gender Roles and Expectations:

• Learn about the different gender roles and expectations across cultures.

• Research the role of women in French society, including their involvement in politics and the workforce.

• Review the French vocabulary related to gender roles, such as "la femme" (woman), "l'homme" (man), and "l'égalité des sexes" (gender equality).

5. Family Dynamics and Communication:

• Understand the importance of communication within families and across cultures.

• Learn about different communication styles and how they affect family dynamics.

• Review the French vocabulary related to communication, such as "la communication" (communication), "le langage corporel" (body language), and "le dialogue" (dialogue).

Resources:

• "Vocabulaire de la famille" - a comprehensive list of French vocabulary related to families, available on ThoughtCo.com.

• "Culture et famille" - a series of articles on the importance of family in different cultures, available on the website of the French Ministry of Culture.

• "L'éducation en France" - an overview of the French education system, available on the website of the French Embassy in the United States.

• "Mariage et relations" - an article on marriage and relationships in France, available on the website of the French government.

• "La place des femmes en France" - an article on the role of women in French society, available on the website of the French government.

• "La communication en famille" - an article on communication within families, available on the website of the French magazine "Parents".

By studying these topics and resources, you should have a good understanding of the key concepts related to families in different societies, which will help you succeed in AP French Unit 1. Good luck!

Sub-Topics*:

• Families and Communities:

  • Personal and Public Identities / La quête de soi

  • Alienation and Assimilation / L’aliénation et l’assimilation

  • Multiculturalism / Le pluriculturalisme

  • Beliefs and Values / Les croyances et les systèmes de valeurs

• Contemporary Life:

  • Rites of Passage / Les rites de passage

  • Holidays and Celebrations / Les fêtes

  • Education / L’éducation et l’enseignement

  • Housing and Shelter / Le logement

• Global Challenges:

  • Diversity Issues / La tolérance

  • Economic Issues / L’économie

  • Human Rights / Les droits de l’être humain

*source- https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-french-language-and-culture

Essential Questions:

1. What is a family?

2. How are families today different than families in the past?

3. Compare the average French family and American family.

   How do individuals contribute to the wellbeing of communities?

4. How does the role that families and communities assume differ in societies around the world?

5. How has the family structure of industrialized societies changed over the last few decades?

6. What is the difference between a nuclear family and a blended family?

7. What role do individuals play within their family?

The 3 most important questions are definitely these ones below, as they are mentioned on the official website of the French AP exam. Students should make up elaborate answers to these questions and back up their claims with evidence:

1. What constitutes a family in French- speaking societies? / Qu’est-ce qui constitue une famille dans le monde francophone?

2. What are some important aspects of family values and family life in French-speaking societies? / Quels sont quelques aspects importants de la vie de famille et des valeurs familiales dans le monde francophone?

3. What challenges do families face in today’s world? / Quels sontles défis auxquels les familles font face dans le monde d’aujourd’hui?

The Exam

This section of the exam consists out of:

1. Email Reply

2. Conversation

3. Cultural Comparison

We will go on to explore each section individually.

The Email Reply

• the email reply involves reading, comprehending and writing

• it takes 15 minutes

• doing this in time will require training

• in conclusion- the email reply requires you to read and comprehend a simulated email, and then write a response—all within a 15-minute time limit.

Tips:

• Show What You Know- if you have a good vocab, show it off, if you can construct complex sentences, do that.

• Quality Over Quantity- don’t make the reply too long

• Use a Formal Business-Style Tone (use formal salutations and closings)

• Take note of proper spacing when writing punctuations in French

The Conversation

• You’ll be asked to participate in a simulated conversation

• You’ll need to get a short response (20s) five times- your answers will be recorded

Before You Begin to Speak

1. Read the intro- there is a specific context to the conversation

2. Read the outline of the conversation- it will give you the subject of conversation and trigger vocabulary ideas

3. Underline the action words that describe what you have to do, for ex.:

   1. Respond and give details…

   2. Show enthusiasm and accept…

Speaking

1. Respond as soon as you hear the beep

2. Correct yourself if you make a crucial mistake- for the most part keep going rather than try to correct each little mistake

3. Respond as completely as you can (give details and questions)

4. If you do not understand the question, think about something to say. No matter what you must speak. If all fails, say: Tu peux répéter ? Then try to continue from there.

5. The conversation is informal- tu, te, toi…

6. Do not respond to a preceding question in the next one

7. Try to keep the conversation alive and interesting. Make it sound as natural and authentic as possible.

8. Match your tone to the information you are giving.

9. At the end of the conversation, say goodbye and wrap up the conversation.

Cultural Comparison

• Fast-paced exercise- only takes 6 minutes

• It will allow you to use language to convey a cultural and authentic message based on products, practices, and perspectives, using what you have learned about the French-speaking world.

• To get a 5 in this category, you need to be culturally savvy and able to compare without judging.

Product, Practice, Perspective

• The Three Ps will help you organize your response and make a valid and interesting comparison

• An example- Tou are asked about the use of coffee in the US and France:

  • The Product is coffee

  • The Practice- in the US it is consumed in the mornings (in your home, in the car…), there are different flavors- add details

  • Compare the different cultures- accentuate the french way of living

  • The Perspective- what do these practices tell us about cultures?- you could add negative and positive points

Get beyond the Superficial

• Explain what the practice tells you about the people

• Do not assume that your listeners know a lot about the topic

• Be explicit- use examples, think about the research that you have done already

Jot Down Your Ideas

• You have 4 minutes to create a draft

• DO NOT make a list for each culture- It is not a comparison unless you specifically say how they differ and how they are similar
  

1. The Introduction

   1. 15 seconds max (out of 2 mins)

   2. specify the two communities you are going to compare

2. The Comparison

   1. 1 min 30 seconds

   2. the comparison has to be well balanced

   3. you should be talking and advancing your argument- elaborate and be explicit

   4. explain what the cultural perspective demonstrates

3. The Conclusion

   1. 15 seconds

   2. add anything you forgot to say and then wrap up.

Vocabulary

1. Family - famille (f)

2. Parent - parent (m/f)

3. Mother - mère (f)

4. Father - père (m)

5. Child - enfant (m/f)

6. Son - fils (m)

7. Daughter - fille (f)

8. Grandparent - grand-parent (m/f)

9. Grandmother - grand-mère (f)

10. Grandfather - grand-père (m)

11. Sibling - frère/soeur (m/f)

12. Brother - frère (m)

13. Sister - soeur (f)

14. Cousin - cousin/cousine (m/f)

15. Aunt - tante (f)

16. Uncle - oncle (m)

17. Niece - nièce (f)

18. Nephew - neveu (m)

19. In-law - beau/belle (m/f)

20. Mother-in-law - belle-mère (f)

21. Father-in-law - beau-père (m)

22. Sister-in-law - belle-soeur (f)

23. Brother-in-law - beau-frère (m)

24. Stepfamily - famille recomposée (f)

25. Adoptive family - famille adoptive (f)

26. Blended family - famille recomposée (f)

27. Single-parent family - famille monoparentale (f)

28. Extended family - famille élargie (f)

29. Traditional family - famille traditionnelle (f)

30. Nuclear family - famille nucléaire (f)