French
Bonjour! Bienvenue au monde de français! Welcome to the world of French at Highland Park Middle School.
Je m'appelle Madame Propson! I am the French teacher at Highland Park Middle School. I started teaching at Highland in 2015. I earned my bacherlor's degree in French education while study at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Université Caen-Basse Normandie, and Université Sainte-Anne. I have also earned my Master's of Education in Instructional Design from Western Governor's University.
I can't wait to grow and learn with the wonderful students here!
Why is it important to learn French? Did you know that ...?
- there are over 200 million people in the world in more than 50 countries on five continents that speak French
- there are over 20 million French speakers nearby, in Canada, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Carribbean, South America, and even closer to us, in Louisiana, and New England
- French is the Romance language most similar to English; at least 30% of all English words can be traced to French, so learning French will improve your English-language skills
- French is among the official languages of the United Nations, UNESCO, the International Olympic Committee, the International Red Cross, the Organization for African Unity, to name a few organizations
- a second language is often a requirement for college, and through its connections to English, can boost your success at your studies
- French gives you access to discoveries and prominent persons in the world of art, science, architecture, technology, music, food, literature, government, diplomacy, fashion, and film
- French connects you to the history of the United States and the thousands of places whose names are derived from French
Whatever your reasons for studying French, have a good journey as you discover the language and culture.
Bon voyage! Bonne chance!
HPMS French Course Offerings
Exploring French (1 Semester)Your Passport to the Francophone World Kickstart your language journey with this fast-paced, interactive introduction! In this semester-long course, you’ll learn how to introduce yourself, describe your world, and share your burning opinions on your favorite (and least favorite!) activities. We’ll also look through a global lens to compare your daily life at HPMS with the unique traditions of schools in France. By the end of the semester, you’ll have the foundational tools to start navigating the French-speaking world.
French Level 1A (Full Year — Earns High School Credit)The Deep Dive: Culture, Cooking, and Community Ready to take your skills to the next level? This year, we go deeper into the language and start building your high school transcript! You will master the art of describing family dynamics, explore the architectural DNA of what makes a "home," and learn to navigate a city like a local by giving and receiving directions.
- The Highlights: We will step out of the classroom and into the kitchen to cook up authentic recipes, practice ordering at a restaurant, and celebrate a major milestone: reading your very first full-length book completely in French!
French Level 1 B (Full Year — Earns High School Credit)The Global Citizen: Trends, Time Travel, and Truth This is the ultimate middle school French experience! In your final year, you’ll step onto the global stage as a confident communicator. We will explore the fast-paced world of fashion and modern trends while learning how to shop like a Parisian. You'll dive into storytelling by tackling past-tense mysteries—learning to explain illness, injuries, and the dramatic stories behind them—and expand your mind with another immersive French book.
- The Highlight: Tap into the unknown as you learn the future tense and try your hand at becoming a fortune teller, predicting what lies ahead for your classmates!
Madame's Website
Students want to review what was done in class because they were absent or would like extra help? Select your class and see the daily slides or vocab slides.