Duration: 8 weeks (online through Zoom)

Dates:

Beginners: Wednesday 6:00-7:00 pm starting September 10th

Intermediate: not available

Course descriptions:

Audience: Beginners interested in Louisiana French, culture, and language
Language: Bilingual (French and English)

1. Introduction to the course, basic prairie and class vocabulary, participant connections in French and English.

2. La Prairie et la Géographie Louisianaise
   Explore the landscapes, parishes, and geographic terms of the South Louisiana prairie region. View maps of the prairie region and discuss the names of the different prairies and bayous.

3. Les Noms de Lieux Louisianais
   Discover the French origins and meanings of wider Louisiana place names and what they reveal about local culture. Adjective Review on placement. Chanson: Bruce Daigrepont Bienvenu dans le Sud de La Louisiane

4. La Faune et la Flore de la Prairie
   Learn French vocabulary for native animals and plants found in the Louisiana prairie. Learn basic vocabulary and the names of different plants, trees and animals of the prairie region.

5. Les Plantes Culinaires et Médicinales
   Discussion: Have you ever used native plants culinarily or medicinally? Which ones? Study traditional edible and medicinal prairie plants and their uses in daily life. View the Bayou Vermillion Healer’s Guide and other information. Vocabulaire de la plante, l’arbre, etc.

6. Les Chansons et les Musiciens de la Prairie
   Listen to and discuss Louisiana French music genres, musicians and songs about the prairie or played in the prairie. Discuss the role of French radio in the Prairie region: KVPI et la Tasse de Café radio program. Songs studied: TBD

7. Les Coutumes et la Vie  (Subject to Change)
   Examine everyday life, family traditions, family vocabulaire, grammar review and cultural customs of the prairie region such as Mardi Gras, Saint Medard, superstitions etc.

8. Révision et Présentations Finales

Review key vocabulary and cultural insights, and share personal reflections,

lagniappe

The course is $160 for AF members for 8 courses of 1 hour or $195 for nonmembers for 8 courses of 1 hour.

Ashlee is a native of Ville Platte, currently French language teacher at Grand Coteau. She is writer, herbalist, cajun musician and much more.

During the class, students will explore landscapes, geographic vocabulary about prairies and bayous, but also plants, animals, songs…