Online Support for Learning French at University

Abstract

This paper will focus on ways in which the Internet is being used at the University of Sydney for teaching and learning French at introductory and advanced levels. First, we will discuss the online component of the beginner's course, which has been developed to enrich and complement classroom interaction. We will discuss some of the choices involved in the design of the online FRNC1101 site, which aims at providing useful resources both for supporting what students learn in the classroom context and for encouraging autonomous learning. Secondly, we will discuss how advanced learners of French use online data for research purposes. We will present the projects students had to complete, and give examples of the ways in which they undertook their research. Finally, we will present a summary of students' perceptions and evaluations of these new modes of learning. How does it affect their learning process, as well as their ability to interact in the target language? Does it encourage communication? These are some of the questions that we will address.