Students are introduced to the fundamentals of French and of language study with an emphasis on developing essential vocabulary, on understanding how grammatical structures work (and help!), and on learning principles of French pronunciation that support “un bon accent”. Core linguistic notions of gender, conjugation, and agreement are introduced and reinforced by actively speaking and writing about one’s life. Students will be able to communicate about oneself, one’s family and community, daily life, diet, clothing, sports, and hobbies. They will be able to effectively pose and respond to questions, tell time, talk about the weather, and simulate daily activities such as dining out or completing a purchase. Students compare cultures by learning about French family life, the interests of French teens, and the variety of Francophone regions, from Paris and the French provinces to regions such as Canada, North Africa, and French Polynesia. Excerpts from music, cinema, and contemporary news provide further opportunities for cultural exploration.