Senegal Classe de Première - French

The French curriculum for the Classe de Première in Senegal, as outlined in the official program document ( aims to consolidate and expand upon the skills developed in earlier grades. The curriculum emphasizes reading comprehension, critical analysis, and written and oral communication skills, with a focus on both Senegalese and broader Francophone literary and cultural contexts.

Key Competencies:

• Reading and Analysis: Students are expected to analyze various literary genres and text types, including novels, poems, and plays, demonstrating methodological approaches to understanding their structure, themes, and aesthetics. They should be able to identify and interpret stylistic elements and relate them to the overall meaning of the text. This includes recognizing and understanding different literary movements and periods such as Romanticism, Parnassus, Symbolism, Realism, Naturalism, Negritude, and the evolution of the African novel.
• Written Production: Students develop skills in summarizing texts, writing commentaries (both linear and composite), and composing dissertations and discussions. They also practice writing various social texts, such as reports and minutes of meetings. Emphasis is placed on clear and organized thought, effective argumentation, and correct use of language.
• Oral Communication: Students are expected to present oral exposés, participate in debates, and conduct conferences. They are trained to gather and organize information, present and defend their viewpoints, and effectively engage with an audience. This includes developing skills in note-taking, summarizing oral presentations, and writing reports.

Curriculum Content:

The curriculum includes the study of specific literary works, both in their entirety and through selected excerpts. The program document lists suggested authors and works for each genre, offering a range of Senegalese, African, and French literature. Examples include:

• Novels: Honoré de Balzac (Le Père Goriot), Gustave Flaubert (Madame Bovary), and works by African authors such as Ousmane Sembène, Cheikh Hamidou Kane, and Ferdinand Oyono.
• Poetry: Works from various movements, including Romanticism (e.g., Chateaubriand, Lamartine, Hugo), Parnassus (e.g., Gautier, Heredia), Symbolism (e.g., Baudelaire, Verlaine), and Negritude (e.g., Senghor, Damas).
• Theater: Plays by authors such as Victor Hugo (Hernani), Alfred de Musset (Lorenzaccio), Aimé Césaire (La Tragedie du Roi Christophe), and African playwrights.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include structural exercises, multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions, text summaries, dissertations, discussions, commentaries, oral presentations, and creative writing exercises. The program emphasizes both formative and summative assessment, with a focus on developing students' critical thinking and communication skills.