NMPS Teachers Pages

Bernadette Billock
French Exploratory, I, II, III, IV

Exploratory French I French II French III French IV Teacher Biography Pictures of the French Students (2003-04) Pictures from the Cabaret of 2005

Vignoble du Plessis-Brezot avec vue de Monnières, commune natale de Mme. Billock./ The vineyard of  Plessis-Brezot with a view of Monnières, Madame  Billock's home town.

If you wish to go directly to my Website please click on  www.francais.4t.com

This summer I attended a workshop in Detroit in which I learned a new technique to teach foreign languages called TPRS “Total Positive Response by Story Telling”. This technique, invented by Blaine Ray, has been around for over five years and has already proven to be highly successful. The students’ motivation doubles because it’s a fun approach, and their speaking and written skills greatly improve.  Being convinced by what I saw, and having had the opportunity to test the method, I will implement it with all my students this year.

This technique is divided into several steps.  First, some words are taught by way of miming. The students have to act out the words at the same time as the teacher, then alone. Then, the words are used in many questions and funny mini-situations. Later, the teacher tells a story using the same words. Until that point the students have only acted out and listened.  By the end of the lesson, the students have heard the same words so many times that they are able to retell the story.

Cathedrale de Notre Dame avec de nombreux touristes./ Notre Dame Cathedral with many tourists.

Exploratory
Class description

Introduction to the French language and culture. The student will learn over 100 basic words that they will use in conversation.   Music, games, word puzzles, hands-on and Internet activities, group work, etc. will be incorporated in the lessons.  
Expectations: Full engagement in class, being prepared for quizzes, and abiding by all the rules and procedures agreed upon.

Prerequisites: None.

Quelque fleurs du jardin du Luxembourg./ Some flowers in Luxembourg Gardens.

French I
Class description

Introduction to the French language and culture. The class is conducted 80% in French.  Emphasis is placed on listening, speaking, writing and reading proficiency. Each week’s lesson plan will include activities pertaining to the four aforementioned skills. The student will build an extensive vocabulary that he/she will be able to reuse in complete spoken and written sentences. Music, games, word puzzles, hands-on and Internet activities, group work, etc. will be incorporated in the lessons.  
Expectations: Full engagement in class, completion of homework, being prepared for quizzes and tests, abiding by all the rules and procedures agreed upon.

Prerequisites: None.

Chateau de Saumur vu de la rue./ Saumur Castle as seen from the street.

French II
Class description

Extension of skills learned in French I. The class is conducted 90% in French.  More emphasis is placed on oral and written proficiency and grammatical correctness. Each week’s lesson plan will include listening, speaking, writing and reading activities. The student will continue building vocabulary that he/she will be able to reuse in   conversation.  Music, games, word puzzles, hands-on and Internet activities, group work, etc. will be incorporated in the lessons.  
Expectations: Full engagement and speaking only French in class, completion of homework, being prepared for quizzes and tests, abiding by all the rules and procedures agreed upon. 

Prerequisites: Completion of French I.

Grand vitrail a Notre Dame et un chandelier./Large stained glass window in Notre Dame and a chandelier.

French III
Class description

Extension of skills learned in French I & II. The class is conducted in French only. Greater emphasis is placed on oral and written proficiency and grammatical correctness. Each week’s lesson plan will include listening, speaking, writing and reading activities. The student will continue building vocabulary that he/she will be able to reuse in more involved conversation.  There will be opportunities to work on “real-life” projects.  Music, games, word puzzles, hands-on and Internet activities, group work, etc. will be incorporated in the lessons.  
Expectations: Full engagement and speaking only French in class, completion of homework,  being prepared for quizzes and tests, abiding by all the rules and procedures agreed upon. 

Prerequisites: Completion of French II.

Une des salles du Chateau de Versailles./ One of the rooms at the Palace of Versailles.

French IV
Class description

Extension of skills learned in French I,  II & III.   The class is conducted in French only. Emphasis is placed on fluency and grammatical correctness. Each week’s lesson plan will include listening, speaking, writing and reading activities. The student will continue building vocabulary that he will be able to reuse in more involved conversation.  There will be opportunities to work on “real-life” projects.  Music, games, word puzzles, hands-on and Internet activities, group work, etc. will be incorporated in the lessons.  
Expectations: Full engagement and speaking only French in class, completion of homework,  being prepared for quizzes and tests, abiding by all the rules and procedures agreed upon. 

Prerequisites: Completion of French III.

Statue du lion dans le jardin du Luxembourg./ Lion Statue in Luxembourg Gardens.

 Teacher Biography

Bernadette Billock was born in the Western part of France, south of the Loire river. She studied in Paris at ISIT (Interpretation and Translation Institute) from which she received a master’s degree as a translator for French, German and English.  She also speaks Swedish and Spanish. She is married to a Swede whose work brought them to Michigan.  Bernadette received her teaching certification for both French and German from GVSU in 2001. 

For information on rules, procedures, learning tips, grading, projects, assignment, and more,  please click on Mme. Billock’s personal website address:  www.francais.4t.com