Area A. Foreign Language Education

The Area A reading list has been prepared to ensure that M.A.T. students in the French Program will have a solid base of knowledge concerning important topics in Foreign Language Education. The length of the list may seem somewhat intimidating at first, but keep in mind that many of the texts listed are articles, and a good many of them come from two principal books (After these book headings, articles to read from them are noted with a w ). The list is divided into twelve topical sections; the first one or two texts under each heading provide a general overview of the topic, and the following listings give more in-depth discussion of particular points. In addition to this list, students may want to keep up on recent developments in the field, by consulting the ACTFL Review and the following journals: Foreign Language Annals, The ADFL Bulletin, The Modern Language Journal, Language Learning, Applied Linguistics, Studies in Second Language Acquisition.

1. Methods/Approaches
   • Richards, J. C. and Rogers, T.S. 1986. Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Overview of various methods) P51 .R467 1986
     OR
   • Larsen-Freeman, D. 1986. Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (Overview of various methods) PE1128 .A2 L35 1986
   • Ommagio-Hadley. 1993. Teaching Language in Context. Boston, MA: Heinle and Heinle. (re: Proficiency-oriented methodology) PB35 .H345 1993
   • Shrum, J.L. & Glisan, E.W. 1994. Teacher’s Handbook: Contextualized Language Instruction. Boston: Heinle and Heinle. (re: Case study approach) PE1128.A2 S57th 1994
   • Lee, J.F. & Van Patten, B. 1995. Making Communicative Language Teaching Happen. New York: McGraw-Hill. (re: Communicative methodology) vol. 1 P53 .L437
   • Nunan, D. 1989. Designing Tasks for the Communicative Classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Task-based approach) P53 .N86 1989
   • Alatis, J.E. 1991. Linguistics and Language Pedagogy: The State of the Art. Georgetown Roundtable on Language and Linguistics. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown Univ. Press. P53 .G39a 1991
     • Byrnes, H. "In search of a sense of place: The state of the art in language teaching
       methodology" pp.355-365.
     • Chastain, K. "Second-language learning: Engaging, simulating, and converting" pp. 368-378.
     • Swaffar, J. "Normative language and language use: The separate implications for instructional
       practices and materials" pp. 386-396.
     • McGroarty, M. "What Can Peers Provide?" pp. 40-55.
     • Celce-Murcia, M. "Language and Communication: A time for equilibrium and integration"
       pp. 223-227. (Optional)
     • Kleinsasser, R.C. and Savignon, S. "Linguistics, language pedagogy, and teachers’ technical
       cultures" pp.289-301. (Optional)
   • Freed, B. 1991. Foreign Language Acquisition Research and the Classroom. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath Co. P53 .F593 1991
     • Rivers, W.M. "Psychological Validation of Methodological Approaches and Foreign Language Classroom Practices" pp. 283-294.
     • Jarvis, G.A. "Research on Teaching Methodology: Its Evolution and Prospects" pp. 295-306.
       
2. Curriculum
   • Birckbichler, D. 1990. New Perspectives and New Directions in Foreign Language Education. Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook Co. ACTFL Foreign Language Series. (Overview of issues; some important pedagogical discussions. OMIT CHAP. 5) P57.U7B47
   • Donato, R. & Terry, R. eds. 1995. Foreign Language Learning, the Journey of a Lifetime. Lincolnwood, IL. National Textbook Co. ACTFL Foreign Language Series. (re: in elementary schools & beyond) P53.F67
   • Neilson, B. et al. 1993. South Carolina Foreign Languages Framework. Columbia, SC: South Carolina State Department of Education. (Objectives & Policy for SC teachers) P57.S68
   • National Standards for Foreign Language Instruction. 1993. (Executive Summary, at least) P51.S73
   • Alatis, J.E. 1991. Linguistics and Language Pedagogy: The State of the Art. Georgetown, Roundtable on Language and Linguistics. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown Univ. Press. P53.G39a
     • Snow, M.A. "Content-based instruction: A method with many faces" pp. 461-470.
   • Freed, B. 1991. Foreign Language Acquisition Research and the Classroom. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath Co.1991. P53.F593
     • Swain, M. "French Immersion and its Offshoots: Getting Two for One" pp. 91-103. (re: Content-based curriculum) (Optional)
     • DeKeyser, R.M. "Foreign Language Development during a Semester Abroad" pp. 104-119. (re: Content-based curriculum) (Optional)
       
3. Theories of Second Language Acquisition / ‘State of the Discipline’
   • Lightbown, P. & Spada, N. 1993. How Languages are Learned. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (Overview/Introduction to issues in SLA theory) P118.L53hl
   • Van Patten, B. 1992 a&b. "Second Language Acquisition Research and Foreign Language Teaching" (Parts I & II). ADFL Bulletin. (23) 23-27 & (24) 52-56. (Overview) In Dept. Conf. Room
   • Canale & Swain. 1980. "Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing." Applied Linguistics. 1. 1-47. (Important historical base) In Dept. Conf. Room
   • Alatis, J.E. 1991. Linguistics and Language Pedagogy: The State of the Art. Georgetown Roundtable on Language and Linguistics. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown Univ. Press. P53.G39a
     • Krashen, S. "The Input Hypothesis: An update" pp. 409-431). (Important historically)
   • Freed, B. 1991. Foreign Language Acquisition Research and the Classroom. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath Co. P53.F593
     • Freed, B. "Current Realities and Future Prospects in Foreign Language Acquisition
       Research" pp. 3-28.
     • Savignon, S. "Research on the Role of Communication in Classroom-based Foreign Language
       Acquisition: On the Interpretation, Expression, and Negotiation of Meaning" pp. 31-45.
     • Higgs, T.H. "Research on the Role of Grammar and Accuracy in Classroom-Based Foreign
       Language Acquisition" pp. 46-53. (re: role of instruction)
     • VanPatten, B. "The Foreign Language Classroom as a Place to Communicate" pp. 54-73. (re: role of instruction)
       
     • Garrett, N. "Theoretical and Pedagogical Problems of Separating ‘Grammar’ from ‘Communication’" pp. 74-88. (re: role of grammar instruction)
4. The Construct of Proficiency
   • Byrnes, H. and Canale, M. 1987. Defining and Developing Proficiency. Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook Co . ACTFL Foreign Language Series. (Arguments for the Proficiency Movement) P53 .4 D4
     
   • Lantolf, J.P. and Frawley, W. "Proficiency: Understanding the Construct," Studies in Second Language Acquisition 10. 181-195. (Arguments against the Proficiency Movement) P1 .S823
5. Assessment/Testing
   • Bachman, L.F. 1990. Fundamental Considerations in Language Testing. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (Basic overview of issues in Testing) 1990. P53.4 B33
     OR
   • Oller, J.P. 1983. Issues in Language Testing Research. Rowley, MA: Newbury House. (Basic overview of issues in Testing) P53.4 .I84
   • Henning. 1993. "Assessment Issues: Prominent Paradigms." in Omaggio-Hadley, ed. Research in Language Learning: Principles, Processes, and Prospects. Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook Co. P118.2 R468
   • Alatis, J.E. 1991. Linguistics and Language Pedagogy: The State of the Art. Georgetown Roundtable on Language and Linguistics. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown Univ. Press. P53.G39a*
     • Valette, R. "Whither accuracy? The state of the art in foreign language testing at the secondary level" pp. 432-460.
6. Teaching Reading Skills
   • Bernhardt, E.B. Reading Development in a Second Language. Norwood, NJ: Able Publishing Corp., 1991. P53.75 .B47
   • Swaffar, J.K. and Bacon, S. "Reading & Listening Comprehension: Perspectives on Research, and Implications for Practice" in Omaggio Hadley, ed. Research in Language Learning: Principles, Processes, and Prospects. Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook Co. ACTFL Foreign Language Series, 1993. P118.2 R468
   • Swaffar, J.K., Arens, K.M., and Byrnes, H. Reading for Meaning. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1991. P53.75 .S9
   • Alatis, J.E. Linguistics and Language Pedagogy: The State of the Art. Georgetown Roundtable on Language and Linguistics. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown Univ. Press, 1991. P53.G39a
     • Carrell, Patricia L. "Strategic Reading."
   • Freed, B. Foreign Language Acquisition Research and the Classroom. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath Co., 1991. P53.F593
     • Bernhardt, E.B. "Developments in Second Language Literacy Research: Retrospective and Prospective Views for the Classroom" pp. 221-251. (Optional)
     • Swaffar, J.K. "Language learning is more than Learning Language: Rethinking Reading and Writing Tasks in Textbooks for Beginning Language Study" pp. 252-280. (Optional)
7. Teaching Oral Skills
   • Gass, S. and Sieloff-Magnan, S. "Second Language Production: SLA Research on Speaking and Writing. Research, and Implications for Practice" in Omaggio Hadley, ed. Research in Language Learning: Principles, Processes, and Prospects. Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook Co. ACTFL Foreign Language Series, 1993. P118.2 .R468
   • Alatis, J.E. 1991. Linguistics and Language Pedagogy: The State of the Art. Georgetown Roundtable on Language and Linguistics. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown Univ. Press, 1991. P53.G39a
     • Chun, D. "The state of the art in teaching pronunciation" pp. 179-193.
     • Kaleugher Levac, P. "Teaching language communicatively: An examination of the presentation of phonology to first-year students" pp. 215-222.
8. Teaching Writing Skills
   • Alatis, J.E. Linguistics and Language Pedagogy: The State of the Art. Georgetown Roundtable on Language and Linguistics. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown Univ. Press, 1991 P53.G39a
     • Raimes, A. "Instructional balance: From theories to practices in the teaching of writing" pp. 238-249.
     • Heilenman, L.K. "Writing in the foreign language classrooms: Process and reality" pp. 273-288.
     • Wenden, A.L. "Metacognitive strategies in L2 writing: A case for task-knowledge" pp. 302-322.
   • Barnett, M. 1989. "Writing as a Process." The French Review. 63(1): 31-44. PC 2001
9. Teaching Listening Skills
   • Rubin, J. 1994. A Review of Second Language Listening Comprehension Research. MLJ. 78(2) p. 199-221. PB1 .M47
   • Alatis, J.E. 1991. Linguistics and Language Pedagogy: The State of the Art. Georgetown Roundtable on Language and Linguistics. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown Univ. Press, 1991 P53.G39a
     • Joiner, E. "Teaching Listening: Ends and Means" pp. 194-214.
     • Phillips, J.K. "An analysis of text in video newscasts: A tool for schemata building in listeners" pp. 343-354.
10. Teaching Culture
    • Valdes, G. Culture Bound: Bridging the cultural gap in language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986. P53 .C76
    • Lafayette, R.C., ed. Culture et enseignement du français. Paris: Didier Erudition, 1994. PC 2065 .C85
    • Alatis, J.E. Linguistics and Language Pedagogy: The State of the Art. Georgetown Roundtable on Language and Linguistics. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown Univ. Press, 1991. P53.G39a
      • Robinson, G.L. "Second Culture Acquisition" pp. .114-122.
      • Crandall, J. "Literacy, language, and multiculturalism" pp. 471-483.
    • Freed, B. Foreign Language Acquisition Research and the Classroom. Lexington, MA: C. Heath Co., 1991. P53.F593
      • Kramsch, C. "The Order of Discourse in Language Teaching." pp. 191-204.
      • Byrnes, H. "Reflections on the Development of Cross-cultural Communicative Competence in the Foreign Language Classroom" pp. 205-218.
11. Teaching Grammar and Vocabulary
    • Alatis, J.E. Linguistics and Language Pedagogy: The State of the Art. Georgetown Roundtable on Language and Linguistics. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown Univ. Press., 1991. P53.G39a
      • O’Connor DiVito, N. "Looking at and towards the future in French textbooks" pp. 250-259.
      • Larsen-Freeman, D. "Consensus and divergence on the content, role, and process of teaching grammar" pp. 260-272.
      • Anthony, E.M. and Menasche, L. "Teaching vocabulary: the current word" pp. 100-113.
    • Berwald, J.P. 1986. Au Courant: Teaching French Vocabulary and Culture using the Mass Media. Washington, D.C.: Center for Applied Linguistics. ERIC DOC ED1.3102:267644
12. Using Media in Foreign Language Learning
    • Bush, M. and Terry, R, eds. Technology Enhanced Language Learning. Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook Co., 1997. (ACTFL Foreign Language Series.) P53.28 .T44
    • Smith, F. Modern Media in Foreign Language Education: theory and implementation. Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook Co. ACTFL Foreign Language Series. 1987. P53.28 M63
    • Freed, B. 1991. Foreign Language Acquisition Research and the Classroom. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath Co., 1991. P53.F593
      • Noblitt, J.S. and Bland, S.K. "Tracking the Learner in Computer-Aided Language Learning," pp. 120-132.
      • Barson, J. "The Virtual Classroom is Born: What Now?" pp. 365-383.

    Area B. Language/Linguistics

    • Battye, A., and M. Hintze. 1992. The French Language Today. New York: Routledge. (PC 2105.B37 1992)
    • Delattre, Pierre. 1951. Principes de phonétique française. Middlebury: Middlebury College.
    • Grevisse, Maurice. 1982. Le Français correct. Paris-Gembloux: Duculot. (PC 2460.G635 1982)
    • Léon, Pierre. 1978. Prononciation du français standard. Paris: Didier. (PC2137.L49)
    • _____. 1992. Phonétisme et prononciation du français. Paris: Nathan. (PC2135.L46 1992)
    • _____, Bhatt, P., and Baligand, R. 1992. Structure du français moderne. Toronto: Canadian Scholars' Press.
    • Rickard, Peter. 1989. A History of the French Language. London: Unwin Hyman.
    • Sanders, C. 1993. French Today. Cambridge: Cambridge UP (PC2074.75.F74 1993)
    • Tranel, Bernard. 1987. The Sounds of French. Cambridge: Cambridge UP. (PC2135.T73 1987)
    • Walter, Henriette. 1988. Le Français dans tous les sens. Paris: Laffont. (PC2075.W29 1988) [in English: French Inside Out. 1994. New York: Routledge]

    Area C. Culture and Literature

    M.A.T. candidates should be familiar with the historical stages of France's development as a nation and with the major figures and trends: the Gauls, the Romans, the Franks, Charlemagne, the Capetian dynasty, the Ancien Régime, the Revolution, Napoleon, and so forth. French encyclopedias and books on French history are available at the Thomas Cooper library; works such as Les grandes étapes de la civilisation française (Paris: Bordas) are helpful. For contemporary institutions, a work such as Edmiston and Duménil's La France contemporaine is recommended.

    Cultural knowledge may be tested indirectly in any exam format, or there may be objective, point-specific questions in the written and oral parts of the exam.

    Drama

    • Corneille, Le Cid
    • Molière, Le Misanthroipe
    • Racine, Phèdre
    • Beaumarchais, Le Mariage de Figaro
    • Anouilh, Antigone
    • Beckett, En attendant Godot
    • Ionesto, Les Chaises
    • Sartre, Huis clos
    Prose
    • Montaigne, from the Essais: "Des Cannibales" (I, 31)
    • Descartes, Discours de la méthode (excerpts in packet)
    • Pascal, Pensées (excerpts in packet)
    • Lafayette, La Princesse de Clèves
    • Prévost, Manon Lescaut
    • Voltaire, Candide
    • Balzac, Le Père Goriot
    • Flaubert, Madame Bovary
    • Duras, Moderato Cantabile
    • Proust, Combray
    Poetry
    • La Fontaine, Fables: "La grenouille qui veut ...," "La cigale et la fourmi," "Le loup et l'agneau"
    • Du Bellay, from Les Regrets: "France, mère des arts ...," "Heureux qui, comme Ulysse ..."
    • Ronsard: "Mignonne, allons voir si la rose ...", "Quand vous serez bien vieille"
    • Lamartine: "Le Lac"
    • Vigny: "La Mort du loup"
    • Hugo: "Fonction du poète," "Tristesse d'Olympio," "Demain dès l'aube"
    • Baudelaire: "Correspondances," L'Albatros," "Hymne à la Beauté," "Parfum exotique," "Harmonie du soir," "L'Invitation au voyage," "Spleen: Quand le ciel ..."
    • Verlaine: "Chanson d'automne," "Ariettes oubliées"
    • Mallarmé: "Brise marine," "Le vierge, le vivace ..."
    • Prévert: "Déjeuner du matin"
    • Apollinaire: "Le pont Mirabeau"
    • Eluard: "Les Lilas et les roses," "Liberté"
    • Césaire: "Soleil serpent"
    Candidates should also be able to demonstrate general knowledge of the "francophonie" movement: regions included, common and diverging interests, postcolonial identities, and the works of some representative authors (to be determined in consultation with the Graduate Director).

    Useful references:
    

    • Lagarde & Michard, Collection Littéraire (survey volumes fo the various centuries)
    • The Oxford Companion to French Literature
    • The Concise Oxford Dictionary of French Literature (condensed and updated version of the Companion, available in paperback)
    • Denis Hollier, A New History of French LIterature
    • Donald Stone, France in the Sixteenth Century (Prentice-Hall, 1969)
    • Jean Mesnard, ed., Précis de littérature française du XVIIe siècle (Paris: PUF, 1995)