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Intensive French class not for lazy

Feb. 23, 2006

by AMANDA TOLLER, reporter

Parlez vous français?

After six hours a day, five days a week at the Summer French Institute, that answer could be a confident "oui."

But a trip to France isn't necessary to get this kind of intensive training in the language.

Once every three years, 12 to 15 students immerse themselves in French every day and take care of four foreign language credits in one summer without leaving Baylor.

Not only is the program timely, said Dr. David Uber, professor of French, but it's also a more effective way to learn the language.

Uber and Dr. Cathleen Corrie, assistant professor of French, will split the teaching duties for the summer institute, with Uber teaching the first half of the program and Corrie teaching the second.

The institute uses the Yale University Capretz method, which features a series of videos following an American student who is studying in Paris. Students go over homework and work closely with professors to improve their understanding of the language. But this intensive method of learning a language isn't for every student.

"They really need to devote the summer to learning the language. It's not for the faint of heart or for the lazy, but the payoff is going to be really good," Corrie said.

Students who participate in the program can't take any other courses over the summer, and both Uber and Corrie try to discourage students from working summer jobs.

"We do consider GPA, SAT and the grades," Uber said. "We're looking at motivation and discipline."

Having discipline and a willingness to work hard plays a large role in the selection of students for the program.

"We are looking not necessarily for (a) student who has a flair in a language. We prefer the student hasn't had any French," Uber said.

Participation in the program requires an application and interview with Uber, who often accepts students on the spot.

"You're really going to get a chance to do well even if language isn't a big thing for you," Corrie said.

The Institute meets from May 29 until August 7. For information or to set up an interview, contact David_Uber@baylor.edu or call 710-6026.

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