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 Ratings
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| Reviewed: |
Apr 20, 2005 by World Languages Editorial Board |
| Overview: |
The Business French Language Packet is one of three similar resources from
CLEAR, the Center for Language Education and Research at Michigan State
University and CIBER, The Center for International Business Education and
Research at The Eli Broad Graduate School of Management also at Michigan State
University. It consists of a downloadable packet of learning activities that
provide French language instruction. Business packets also exist in the original
Spanish and in German . CLEAR is a National Language Resource Center and a
well-known source of quality learning materials for language learners.
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| Learning Goals: |
Learners will enhance communication in the target language through exposure to
business vocabulary and practices.
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| Target Student Population: |
High school students are the main population, but the materials could be easily
adapted for a college audience.
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| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
Intermediate language proficiency in French
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| Type of Material: |
lesson plans, group projects
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| Recommended Uses: |
These materials would be best suited for collaborative projects in a classroom
setting, although tasks could be adapted for hybrid and online courses.
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| Technical Requirements: |
Acrobat reader is needed to access the packet
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| Strengths: |
Faculty who seek an engaging means to present language for specific purposes,
in this case business, will appreciate these well-designed materials. While
the emphasis is on business in the state of Michigan, it would be very easy to
develop materials for additional locales and thereby personalize the activities
for students. Learning objectives and many sample activities are previewable
from the home page.
Students develop the language skills to read tables and maps, to express
percentages and to discuss and interpret data in French. The Business Packet
gives learners the opportunity to practice their business vocabulary and to
manipulate and interpret graphs and figures in a second language.
The Business packet covers the principle aspects of starting, developing and
maintainig a business. Students study the different consumer profiles of French
students, of males and females and of their own peers. They study the importance
of location and transportation in the establishment of a business. They apply
all these factors to the local situation in Michigan.
The Business packet also allows students to discover the potential of
technology, and more specifically the Internet, to sustain and develop a
business in a given region. They are led through a lesson on effective and
reliable information on the web, with a ready-made guide for evaluation of web
sites for their use.
The real-world applications of the activities will motivate students seeking a
career in International Business or related fields.
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| Concerns: |
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
Rating:  |
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| Strengths: |
These materials are very well-written and easy to adapt to most learning
situations. They can be used in the classroom to simulate the type of
collaborative teamwork that goes on in the real work world. In the process,
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support language goals such as comparing and contrasting, interviewing, and
giving and interpreting viewpoints. Students argue and build consensus in
groups, all in the target language.
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| Concerns: |
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
| Rating: |
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| Strengths: |
The Business Packet is very easy to access and use. There is a form to fill out
before accessing the materials, but it is not cumbersome and it helps CLEAR and
CIBER see how the materials are being used.
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| Other Issues and Comments: |
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