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World Languages Department ChairPhone:(914)721-2556email: scorten@scarsdaleschools.orgOffice: 415Bienvenue au site web de Madame Sylvie Corten!
Bonjour! It is a true pleasure to be your student’s French teacher this year. I assume you have already read my course expectations (if not, please ask your student to share them with you and to return the bottom portion of my letter), but I wanted to offer you a little more personal information and guidance for my French 312 and 355 courses. Those of you who have already met me know that I am a French native speaker who has been living in the US for over 30 years. At SHS, I wear two hats: teaching three French courses and being the World Language Department Chair. Outside of school, I love to travel, explore and discover new cultures and customs. Having been part of a student exchange at the age of 14, I have always believed in immersion programs and, for that reason, I try to recreate an immersion setting in my classroom where the target language is 100% French. In addition, I am the coordinator of the French Exchange Program and perhaps will be traveling to France with your student in February 2017. If any of you have a French expertise, please let me know since we would love to be able to invite you to come and speak to the class.
Teaching has been a passion of mine for 27 years, and I have raised my three children bilingually. I am aware that each student has a unique learning style, and I endeavor to have a classroom that reaches out to all types of learners. In class, I will talk about different learning strategies, but it is up to each student to find the strategy that works best for his/her particular learning style. I am available for extra help during my free periods and after school, and I encourage students to make an appointment with me. Nevertheless, the work done outside of class is equally as important as in class, and therefore I have set up my School-Wires page to offer additional opportunities for learning and practicing French. The work in my course is cumulative, so I do expect that students will consistently review previous chapters on their own time (using notes, textbook, School-Wires links etc.). If you would like more information about the course your student is enrolled in, you can find it available on my School-Wires page.
I look forward to working with you and your student this year. While the high school encourages each student to advocate for him/herself, feel free to contact me with questions either by email scorten@scarsdaleschools.org or by phone, 721-2556.
Best,Mme Sylvie CortenSeptember 2015