Bonjour tout le monde!!
Welcome to M. McJimsey's website. Students and Parents: Please use this site to
review daily lessons, remind yourself of homework assignments, and to find interesting
French internet sites. If you have any questions regarding the use of the site please
don't hesitate to e-mail me.
Students, keep the following ideas in mind:
1. Cooperation - You need one another to become more confident speakers of French. It is hard to
practice conversation by yourself. It is also hard to practice conversation with someone who doesn't
really want to speak with you. Your full participation does not just benefit you. It benefits everyone.
2. Difference - A class conducted entirely in a foreign language presents some unique opportunities
and challenges. As you continue your studies you will realize that speaking a second language well
entails more than mastering mechanics (grammar). In fact, language is as much "feel" as it is "structure".
When you enter the classroom feel free to layer on a French speaking persona to your identity. If it
helps, consider French class as a sort of theater production in which you are assuming a role (partly you
and partly a version of you who speaks French). Imagine the classroom as a stage representing an
entirely different place - both culturally and linguistically - than exists on the other side of the door.
3. Communication - If you are interested in a particular aspect of francophone culture or of the
language let me know. Likewise, if you are worried about your progress, your grade or anticipated
absences let me know.
4. Little steps - I have two young children. They learn language through listening and
repeating. They sing children's songs and read children's stories. They make mistakes all the time.
Don't forget that I expect you to make mistakes. Please do not fear them. And don't forget that singing
songs and making rhymes is at the core of language acquisition (there is a reason that kids sing all the
time).