French Ab Initio

[dumbaf]

So,  i had my IB french teacher, before i joined IB and she wasnt that bad, but she isnt a good IB teacher. 

I feel like she doesnt even know whats really required for us to do for IB french ab initio, and im getting really scared..

Can anyone tell me what we should know at the end of the two years of IB french? things that we NEED to know to be ready for the test...

I feel like all our class is going to fail ( its not only me thats struggling). 

She does really random things, and i feel like i never learn in her class.

[El :3]

So firstly, get hold of a past ab initio paper. Look at paper 1, and the sort of language you need to understand, and the type of questions you're going to have to answer. Then look at paper 2, and see what you need to write about, how much you need to write, and the sort of language you might need to know.

 

I don't know your level of French, but I'm going to assume it's basic (just so that I cover absolutely everything you might need to know):

 

Firstly, if you don't have one already, buy yourself a French grammar book, complete with exercises (a good one is Schaum's French Grammar http://www.amazon.com/Schaums-Outline-French-Grammar-Crocker/dp/0071828982 - it covers everything, from the basic to the advanced). Set yourself a challenge to do 40 mins every night, just to make sure you cover heaps of grammar, and that you're maintaining constant practice of the language. Also, with the Schaum grammar, it gives you heaps of vocab as well, as it makes you write out sentences, so make sure to translate any words you don't know, and learn them.

 

Once you get down basic grammar and vocab, try writing small responses (start small, then work on writing more and more) in order to prepare for your paper 2. Try writing out 25 words at first about a random topic, then 50, then 100, then 150! Get your teacher (or someone you know who is good at French) to mark it and give you feedback, so that you know what areas you need to improve on. Take their feedback, and rewrite your response, incorporating all the feedback and advice they're given you, that way it sticks in your mind.

 

Now, you need to consider your individual oral you're going to do in your final year of IB. The best thing you can possibly do is find some texts in French (even if you read out your own work, or sentences from your textbook/grammar book). Read it out slowly, and practice your intonation. Also, listening to recordings of French people talking (these are all over YouTube) will help you to learn how various words are spoken.

 

To practice for paper 1, literally just do heaps of past papers, that's my only advice for you. When you read the texts, read them aloud to practice your pronunciation, and at the beginning, translate any words you don't know (obviously you can't do this in the real exam, however this helps you to learn useful vocab). Keep in mind, it's not expected that you understand every single word, you mainly need to know the general gist, and understand the grammar.

 

Phew, now that's said, another thing that's really useful as a learning tool is Quizlet - seriously, this will become your life. There's literally hundreds of revision sets dedicated to IB French (whether it is the vocab, grammar, or linking words that the IB loves). Set yourself a challenge to do maybe like 5 sets a week or something - whatever you can fit in your busy schedule.

 

I don't know the level expected for ab initio, but the past papers should give you an indication as to what should be expected of you.

 

But hey, keep at it - I believe in you As long as you keep on top of the grammar and vocab, you'll be okay.