Help Little Kids Learn French

Edgemont Elementary is seeking French students
to be volunteers in their French classrooms.

Have you ever wanted to make a difference in the life of a little elementary school student?  Have you ever wanted to share your love of French with others?  Have you ever wanted to relive your elementary school days?  If you've answered yes to any of these questions keep reading (even if you didn't answer yes, you should probably keep reading...it's a really cool opportunity.)


Principle Dennis Pratt of Edgemont Elementary is looking for volunteers to help in his school's French classes.  The available classes are for grades 1 through 3, both morning and afternoon.  There are lots of positions available for BYU French students, so don't count yourself out.


What you'll be doing is pretty straight forward.  You will be working either one-on-one with students or in small groups.  You will primarily be tutoring French Literacy or French Math (I should brush up on my vocab there.)


How do you get this job?  Probably the best first step to starting this program would be to run it by one of your French professors; just to make sure they think you can handle the position.  Next either call 801-221-9984 and leave you contact info with one of the secretaries, or send an email to the principle himself at DennisP@provo.edu.  From there you will be set up with a teacher that will work best for you.


The relationship that the BYU French Department has had with Edgemont Elementary has always been pretty good.  So let me just give out one more shout of encouragement to go help out this school.  I know it will be an awesome experience for anyone who gets to participate.


Well everyone happy Wednesday, and good luck with the rest of the week!

French Studies Blog Begins (Series Reboot)

Dear readers,
Have you been checking in vain since June for some new reading? Cried yourself to sleep because you felt ignored and neglected? Well dry your eyes! Our doors are open and we are back in business! We'd like to welcome you to a new semester, school year, and era in the FSB (French Studies Blog guys, come on). We are your new, official, professional bloggers, Pete and Dave. We are on a mission to bring to you every scrap of information on France and French available at BYU, in Utah County, and potentially the internet. So to kick things off appropriately, we'd like to take a few moments to dispel a few common misconceptions about us and present our credentials...

What has been your experience with French?

Dave: When I was a freshman in High School a second language course was required to graduate. I found the language beautiful and picked it up quickly.I took French again the following year and fulfilled my High School credits. I was later called to serve a mission for the LDS Church in the south of France. For two years I was immersed in French culture. I learned to communicate avidly and to relate to the people. I love the feeling of speaking the language and joining in on that rich tradition. I have also learned to appreciate francophone culture elsewhere in the world such as in Africa and some french speaking islands.

Pete: Well, my family moved to Belgium when I was eight months old so I grew up bilingual and went to French public schools in Belgium, France, and Germany until the fourth grade when we finally landed in Sandy, UT. I was a stand-out French student at Churchill Jr. High, as you can imagine, and I scored an easy 3 on the AP my sophomore year. My French fell into disuse however and after nine years of sitting dormant in my brain, there wasn't much of it left available for every day use. Then, as you may have guessed, I was called on a mission to the Canada Montreal Mission and I was called to preach in Spanish?? Yes, in fact, that was the case. But six months into the whole experience, I was transferred to Quebec City in a French ward. Within a month, the rust was for the most part cleaned off of my language skills and I spent the rest of my missions in French wards in Sherbrooke and Ottawa. It was fun. So yea, I've had a wide range of experience with French and I have a tender spot in my heart for the Quebec accent, although that is considered a foreign language by some...

Why did you decide to become a French Major?

Dave: I love French Literature and am convinced that my life will not be fulfilled if I don't pursue a deeper study of it. After my undergraduate studies I plan to go to Graduate School and continue a life long pursuit of study in French Literature and History.

Pete: Well, unlike Dave, my motives weren't purely altruistic. I was originally double majoring in French and Spanish and planning on going to law school once my undergraduate work was finished. Once I realized I could finish in half the time, I had to choose one or the other, well, with two GE's missing that would be fulfilled by French 361 and 362, and with the fact that French is only 30 hours while Spanish is 33, the decision was almost made for me.

What are your goals/vision for the blog?

Dave: I would like to get more people interested in the blog (e.g., more readers and subscribers) and in turn more interested in francophone culture. There is so much to be experienced and learned even in Provo, Utah. We have great opportunities and resources and an enormous French Department. I feel the blog can be informative and inclusive.

Pete: I see this blog as a two man mission to explore and discover and unearth and present everything French. There is so much stuff out there, activities, information, resources and I not only want to take part in it, but help anyone who wants to as well and doesn't even know where to start. In my perfect world, this blog includes music, movies and books, cultural activities, french headlines, contests, invites, updates, interviews, a guide to the French Studies major, and everything in between. If everything goes as planned, we will have a mini-phenomenon on our hands.

Why do you think you were selected to blog?

Pete: Well it wasn't easy, lets just say that. The competition was stiff. But what this blog needs is a visionary/creative genius/fluent french speaker/board game enthusiast/someone taking a lot of French classes currently/cultural icon/poet/jack of all trades/stand-up comedy competition winner/perfectionist/dedicated soldier and I guess I'm the closest they could find.

Dave: I will spend the time and put forth the creative effort required to achieve our combined vision as a blogging team.

Pete: Glad to hear it Dave

Tell us an unbelievable fact about yourself.

Dave: Once someone tried to murder me with a frozen baguette. Don't be incredulous.

Pete: I was a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in May 2005.

Check out the latest issue of the French and Italian Department Newsletter

There is a new issue of the French and Italian Department Newsletter up.

In this issue:

• Faculty news
• Study Abroad recap
• Winners announced for the French Writing contest
• Graduate level projects

Take a few minutes and find out what's happening in the department.

Presses stop at popular French newspaper

Last week, after employees at French newspaper Le Monde caught wind of a plan to lay off some 130 employees, a strike was called. The strike has gotten enough steam now that yesterday it's presses went silent for what is only the second time in that paper's 64 years.




For more on the Le Monde strikes:
The Editors Weblog: France: Strike shuts down publication at Le Monde
Le Monde: Les salariés du "Monde" en grève contre les suppressions d'emplois

Sarkozy will send 800 soldiers to Afghanistan

President Sarkozy recently confirmed a plan to send 800 French soldiers to Afghanistan to reinforce the French contingent already stationed in Kabul. This contingent consists of about 1,700 soldiers including pilots, troops and other matériels.



For more on the French presence in Afghanistan:
Le Figaro: Afghanistan : plus de 800 soldats français en renfort

French Writing Contest: Correction

Just a note to those of you interested in the French Writing Contest. An early post said that entries needed to be in before March 26th, when in fact the deadline is March 31st. So you still have a few days to get your submissions in.

Our apologies for any confusion.

Cheese Night: A success again!

Just like it has been in the past, Cheese Night was a great success this year. We had tons of people show up to sample some of the finest imported French Cheese. Thanks to everyone who came and supported the French Club!




We also handed out the second and third buttons in the BYUFS button series featuring Charles de Gaulle and Marie Antoinette. Hopefully you were able to get your hands on one, because they went fast. If you didn't there may be a chance you'll find one in the department office (3134 JFSB) or you can wait and grab one of the fourth buttons which will be released soon.

France takes steps to preserve its culinary heritage

As announced by President Sarkozy in late February, the French government will be working with UNESCO to preserve France's culinary heritage and make sure its global influence does not fade. UNESCO is a section of the United Nations which oversees the research and protection of cultural icons (rituals, sites, languages, etc.). As France works through a candidature process, a plan will be developed by UNESCO to preserve and protect French cuisine.

For more on the preservation of French culinary heritage:
Le Monde: "La cuisine comme bien commun"

Upcoming French Studies Events - You don't want to miss these!

We've got a few really exciting activities coming up for the program in the near future. Make sure to mark your calendars so that you don't miss out!

French Club Cheese Night
Thursday, March 13th
6:30p.m. - 9:00p.m.
WILK Terrace (by the Cougareat)
Free admission for French Club members
$4 for guest
Tip: get there early



Lecture from Pierre Vimont, the Ambassador to the United States for France
French-American Relations in Today's World
Monday, March 24th
3:00p.m.
Hinckley Alumni and Visitor's Center Assembly Hall

Small festival highlights 15 French films

The 13th annual Rendez-Vous With French Cinema will be showing this week at the IFC Center in New York. The festival will be showing 15 different French films from new and celebrated French filmmakers.



For more info on the Rendez-Vous With French Cinema:
NY Times: The Eiffel Tower Is Always Ready for Its Close-Up

Tsonga eliminated in first round of Open 13

The France's most recent tennis star, the 22-year-old Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was beaten Wednesday in the first round of the Open 13 Tennis Tournament played each year in Marseille. He was beaten by Croatian player Mario Ancic (7-5, 7-6(3)).

French Studies Newsletter

Some of you may already know that the French Studies program puts out a monthly newsletter. This newsletter includes a ton of information and news about the program, its students, and the faculty. Its a great resource if you want to know a little more about what's going on and how you can make the best of your time in French Studies.

Here is a link to this month's issue.

The French Studies Designer Button Series

To celebrate the continued success of the French Studies major, starting this week the department will be releasing a series of designer buttons featuring French historical icons.

There will be four buttons in the series, each in a different color and featuring a different French icon. Best of all, they are all free!

This weeks button features Napoleon Bonaparte.
You can pick up your button at the department front desk (3134 JFSB) beginning Wednesday afternoon and lasting until they run out.

There are only a limited amount of each button so make sure you get yours and show some pride in your French Studies heritage before they're gone.

French Studies Calendar Update

We've just updated the French Studies Calendar. If your wondering where you can find your next cultural activity or if you're just wanting to take advantage of all the great things the French Studies program has to offer take a look at the calendar and see what great activities are coming up this semester.

Check the calendar here. You can always find this link in the "Links" section of the blog's left-hand sidebar.

Bernard Kouchner: Foreign Minister of France

The Times recently did an article on Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister. If you'd like to learn a little bit more about the man who created the Médicins Sans Frontières program 37 years ago, has written more than a few books, is often thought of as the most popular politician in France and who has even thought of running for the presidency; then take a look at the Times story and other links below.

Read up on Bernard Kouchner:
NY Times: A Statesman Without Borders
Slideshow on Kouchner's career
More on Kouchner in the news

French Club: A Concert of French Songs with Marc Vincent

The French Club and the French & Italian Department are pleased to present a concert with French singer Marc Vincent.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008
7:15p
Varsity Theater

Admission free for French Club members
$3 for non-club members

French Films Nominated for Academy Awards

Several French films can be spotted on the list of Oscar nominees. Here are a few of the more notable nominations.

La Vie En Rose (La Môme) by Oliver Dahan nominated for:

• Best Actress - Marion Cotillard
• Best Costume Design - Marit Allen
• Best Achievement in Makeup - Didier Lavergne & Jan Archibald

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Le Scaphandre et le papillon) by Julian Schnabel nominated for:

• Best Achievement in Directing - Julian Schnabel
• Best Editing - Juliette Welfing
• Best Cinematography - Janusz Kaminski
• Best Adapted Screenplay - Ronald Harwood
  

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud nominated for:

• Best Animated Feature

See each film's trailer below:
La Vie En Rose (La Môme)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Le Scaphandre et le papillon)
Persepolis

BYU French Studies Podcast: Episode 8 - Christmas in France Presentation

For this week's podcast we'll be presenting a recording of Professor Chantal Thompson's ever popular Christmas in France presentation.

Listen to Episode 7 now.

or

Subscribe to the BYU French Studies Podcast for free on iTunes.

French Studies Holiday Events

French Studies is putting on a few events in the next few weeks to celebrate the holidays. See details below and check the calender for other upcoming events.

French Studies Christmas Presentation
Thursday, December 6th
11:00 am
JFSB B002

French Choir Christmas Concert
Thursday, December 13th
6:00 pm
Varsity Theater (in the WILK)

French Idol Tryouts

French Idol tryouts are this week! Each group (or individual student) only
needs to have one thing to perform for up to three minutes (a song, dance,
skit, etc) and it can be done in English for the tryouts. A CD player and
piano will be in the rooms to use. You'll have two weeks after the tryouts
to prepare the real thing for the actual activity if you are chosen. The
French Idol winners will receive prizes and the French class that furnishes
the first place winner will be awarded a pizza party. Please sign up at
the French and Italian office on the third floor of the JFSB for one of the
following times:

TRYOUTS
· Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 2-4 pm in 3215 WILK
· Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 9-11 am in 3238 WILK
· Thursday, Nov. 15 from 11-1 in 3215 WILK


THANKS!

The French club presidency