François Wolman

François is a native of Paris, France. After immigrating to California, François attended the University of Oregon and Cal State University at Northridge where he received his B.A. in French. He attended UCLA.to obtain his teaching credential, then Pepperdine University in Malibu, where he graduated with a M.A. in Psychology. During the last 25 years, François has been teaching High School French. He has taught, French, Health and E.S.L. for the Alhambra City School District and all levels of French, including AP* Language and Literature at Beverly Hills High School. Since 1990, he has been teaching all levels of French at Canyon High School in Santa Clarita, CA. In 1996, François started serving as an AP* reader for the College Board and has presented AP* French Language workshops for the past 10 years. He served as a member of the SAT II French Language test development committee from 1999-2005. He is also a member of AATF. Besides his teaching responsibilities at Canyon High School, François is the Head Cross Country and Track and Field coach at Los Angeles Valley College. When he is not coaching, François loves to bike and run. He is a tour Director, taking adults and students throughout France during the month of June. Outside of school, François loves to travel with his wife to Europe and Australia.

1. To familiarize participants with the content and the different components of the AP* test: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
2. To share materials and strategies that will assist the participants and will help their students to succeed in the AP* test.
3. To present samples of the AP* tests and the grading system for each part, including all recent changes in the test format and it's grading.
4. To provide the participants with time and opportunity for collegial interaction and exchange of successful strategies.
5. To provide the participants with ideas, techniques and strategies that will enhance their curriculum leading to the AP* level.
6. To incorporate the use of technology (French computer software) in the AP* curriculum in order to enhance the learning of all components for the AP* test.
7. To introduce and review the AP* French Literature exam.

Monday, Day 1 - Introduction

The AP* exam - general overview

Components of the AP* exam

Provide ideas and strategies for the lower level French classes

Problem solving - discussion of challenges in the classroom

Textbooks, workbooks and supplemental materials

Tuesday, Day 2 - Listening/reading and speaking

Listening and reading section of the AP* test

Strategies for teaching listening and reading (including sample materials)

Using literature for the reading portion of the AP* test

Working with tapes and the speaking portion of the AP* test

Strategies for teaching the speaking section (including sample cassettes)

Wednesday, Day 3 - Writing/grammar

Writing the composition

Strategies for teaching composition development

Grammar fill-ins

Support materials for the grammar fill-ins

Test samples from these sections

Thursday, Day 4 - The use of Technology in the AP* curriculum

Ideas and projects of utilizing the internet

Support materials (French software)

Games (Trivial pursuit)

Movies and TV 5 (television)

Membership in AATF (American Association of Teachers of French)

Components of the AP* French Literature

Review of past AP* French Literature exams including 2006 and 2007

Strategies in teaching AP* French Literature

Friday, Day 5 - Review

Utilizing Songs and their lyrics in the AP* Curriculum

Present Modified Syllabus

Group activity

Wrap up