Spring 2026
FRENCH 35 001 - LEC 001
Practical Phonetics and Listening Comprehension
Ariel Shannon Hixon
Class #:24584
Units: 3
Instruction Mode:
In-Person Instruction
Offered through
French
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
5
Enrolled: 20
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 25
Waitlist Max: 5
No Reserved Seats
Hours & Workload
3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week, and 6 hours of outside work hours per week.
Other classes by Ariel Shannon Hixon
Course Catalog Description
This multimedia course concentrates on pronunciation and listening comprehension skills and provides a new understanding of the French language. International phonetic alphabet and theoretical concepts are taught as necessary. Strongly recommended before study, work, or travel in French-speaking countries, particularly for Education Abroad Program students.
Class Description
French 3 is a pre-requisite for this class OR consent of instructor.
This multimedia course concentrates on pronunciation and listening comprehension skills. Because it concentrates on the first task confronted upon arrival in a French-speaking country (to understand and be understood), it has traditionally been considered very helpful before study, work, or travel in a francophone country. Training in Practical Phonetics focuses on the traditionally more difficult areas for speakers of English, with priority given to errors that affect comprehensibility by natives. Training in Listening Comprehension includes both global comprehension activities and attention to discrete points –such as sound elisions or consonant assimilation– which make French difficult to understand. Use of a wide variety of text, audio and video documents, including radio and television. Students learn the International Phonetic Alphabet for reading purposes. Theoretical concepts are introduced as necessary. This course is conducted entirely in French.
This multimedia course concentrates on pronunciation and listening comprehension skills. Because it concentrates on the first task confronted upon arrival in a French-speaking country (to understand and be understood), it has traditionally been considered very helpful before study, work, or travel in a francophone country. Training in Practical Phonetics focuses on the traditionally more difficult areas for speakers of English, with priority given to errors that affect comprehensibility by natives. Training in Listening Comprehension includes both global comprehension activities and attention to discrete points –such as sound elisions or consonant assimilation– which make French difficult to understand. Use of a wide variety of text, audio and video documents, including radio and television. Students learn the International Phonetic Alphabet for reading purposes. Theoretical concepts are introduced as necessary. This course is conducted entirely in French.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat Rules
Course is not repeatable for credit.
Requirements class fulfills
Meets International Studies, L&S Breadth
Meets Social & Behavioral Sciences, L&S Breadth
Reserved Seats
Current Enrollment
No Reserved Seats
Textbooks & Materials
See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials
Associated Sections
None