Intermediate French I · French
My abilities to speak and write French have been improved.
Exams (2) 20% Compositions with revisions (3) 20% Mid-term exam 15% Final exam 20% Attendance, class participation, homework 15% Mini-filmed/performed skit 10%
4 quizzes 3 papers (ours were all based off of the writing prompts on the quizzes so they were basically re-writes) midterm & final A couple of exercises out of the book for normal class days (based on completion)
3 exams during the semester, 3 compositions (2 drafts of each), a presentation and final exam, as well as homework for each class that usually included reading a chapter or two in French, book work and sometimes other grammar exercises.
Like most language classes, the work is straightforward -- textbook beforehand, homework assignments for every chapter, 4 tests, 4 compositions, and an oral exam.
Moderate - daily homework (manageable), 6 or so compositions, two oral presentations, 4 exams and a final. Weekly quizzes. It all builds on itself though - how much you put in will be how much you get out. I worked reasonably hard and got an A, despite being one of the worst speakers in our class.
Pretty light...four compositions (Erica will grade them first then allow you to do corrections for a higher grade), homework (that you don't really need to do), two quizzes (w/ corrections), a midterm (w/ corrections), a theatre piece, and a final.
Extensive grammar and vocabulary, some cultural knowledge lessons and activities and oral practice.
This class is okay overall. I do not love language classes and you def have to speak in this class, she mostly just calls on you (you don't really raise your hand) but I feel like it is mostly not judgmental when you get things wrong. She is a bit disorganized which can be annoying because you are not totally sure of what is due when. The class focuses a lot on really specific grammar rules which can be difficult, especially if your understanding of English grammar is not great (like me lol). Also, there is a pretty strict absence policy.
Sam Bloom was an amazing Intermediate I professor. He's quirky and has an all-around comforting presence. I never felt overwhelmed or stressed in his class but I always felt like I was learning. We always opened each class just by talking to each other about our weekends or something in french instead of just diving in. He's a pretty generous grader ( I think he once kinda apologized for giving me a B+ on a paper which I was totally deserving of). He prepares you well for his quizzes and midterms; there were never any surprises. It's all grammar based so no memorization of vocab. You go over all the homework together but none of it's ever picked up or graded. That's not to say you shouldn't do it though–if he calls on you to answer one of the hw questions he'll notice if you have it done or not which helps/hurts your participation. This review is kinda all over the place but I just want people to know how great Sam Bloom is. Fairly easy and super fun class.