MARIE CULPEPPER
Teaching Experience
I have taught French at Brown University, the University of Iowa, and the Alliance Française de Sacramento. I have taught French and English at the high-school level at La Salle Academy in Providence, RI. I have also taught English in France as an Assistante d'Anglais at the École Primaire de Milhaud.
Visiting Lecturer, Brown University
August-December 2023
FREN 0300
Served as course chair.
Course description: FREN0300 is a semi-intensive review of Basic French with emphasis on all four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Class materials include audio exercises and videos based on the textbook (Saison 2) and the Grammaire essentielle du français, an animated film (Avril et le monde truqué), a short story (La Voyeuse by Fantah Touré), and a novel (Le voyage d’Hector ou la recherche du Bonheur by François Lelord).
Example of a PowerPoint used during a daily lesson:
FREN 0400
Course description: FREN 0400 is designed to immerse students in the language and its cultural diversity in order to enable them to master three central functions: questions, descriptions, and narration, with emphasis on all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Class materials include audio exercises and videos based on the textbook (Saison 2), the Fables de la Fontaine, a documentary film (Demain), and an autobiographical essay (Chagrin d'école by Daniel Pennac).
Instructor, Alliance Française de Sacramento
September 2021-March 2022
A2-1
Online course for adults covering Chapters 1 and 2 of Entre Nous 2.
A2-2
Online course for adults covering Chapters 3 and 4 of Entre Nous 2.
Private lessons
Individualized private lessons for adults and children.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Iowa
August 2018-December 2021
Intermediate French I
Course description: This course aims to help students improve the four basic language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) while acquiring a mastery of basic French grammar, especially the use of verbs in all of the major moods and tenses. Course materials include the textbook and accompanying online activities manual (Imaginez). Assessments include four chapter tests, two compositions, two oral exams, and a final exam.
Example of a PowerPoint used during a daily lesson:
Intermediate French II
Course description: This course is a continuation of Intermediate French I. Students continue to build their abilities in the four basic language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) while acquiring a mastery of basic French grammar, especially the use of verbs in all of the major moods and tenses. Course materials include the textbook and accompanying online activities manual (Encore). Assessments include four chapter tests, three compositions, two oral exams, and a final exam.
I taught this course during the Spring semester of 2020, and made modifications to the course midway through the semester to enable to to be taught online asynchronously.
Example of an asynchronous lesson:
Global Sports and National Cultures
Course description: Students in this course study sports from all over the world, focusing on what they reveal about national cultures. At the end of the semester, students are able to explain the histories of various sports, including their origins in Western Europe and spread throughout the world, often via colonialism; describe specific sporting cultures such as game rules, fan bases, players, location, rituals and protocol, and important sites; explain the role of sport in the formation of national identities; and analyze contemporary sports events and link them to past occurrences.
I moderated this asynchronous online course, which was designed and supervised by Dr. Roxanna Curto.
French Grammar
Course description: This course presents a review of the grammatical structures of a few broad but vital language functions or areas: 1) description, 2) narration and speech, and 3) transposing dialogue. Students learn to identify and analyze the functions of word forms and sentence patterns in French texts and speech and apply this knowledge to their own skills, particularly reading and writing. Students develop examples and complete exercises to account for French grammar and work on their own texts to perfect their ability to write correctly in French. Course materials include Contrastes: Grammaire du français courant, the accompanying workbook, and supplementary materials provided by the professor. Evaluations and assessments include two written exams, 2 essays, quizzes, and a final exam.
I redesigned this course in order to make it accessible for distance-learning. This course was taught synchronously online via Zoom.
Example of a PowerPoint used for a daily lesson:
Teacher of English and French, La Salle Academy
August 2012-June 2018
English I
Course description: This course introduces students to the genres of literature, including short stories, novels, poems, and dramas. We draw on readings from The Language of Literature as well as from five outside works. The purpose of this course is to challenge students to reflect on the literary elements at work in a variety of texts and enable them to engage in critical analysis through class discussion and in writing.
English III
Course description: This course is designed to build upon the communication skills developed in English I and English II. This course will focus on a chronological survey of British Literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to present. As in previous years, stress is given to grammar, composition, vocabulary and speaking skills. The reading will define the major themes in British Literature and expand student knowledge of literary forms and devices.
French I
Course description: This course introduces students to the French language as well as to the rich world of francophone cultures. The lessons and coursework are designed to equip students with the skills to understand, read, write, and speak the French language. We will be working the Glencoe Bon voyage! textbook as well as with associated and external multimedia.
French II
Course description: This course is a continuation of the previous year’s foreign language study emphasizing further development in the student’s ability to speak, understand, read and write correct idiomatic language. Included is further study of verb forms and grammatical structures, in addition to an expansion of vocabulary. The study of culture and civilization is continued. We use the Glencoe Bon voyage! textbook as well as associated and external media.
French III
Course description: This course continues to develop the student’s knowledge of the language by reviewing and expanding structural patterns. Instruction emphasizes more detailed practice in speaking and writing. Reading selections are drawn from various sources, including En Bonne Forme and Le Petit Nicolas.
French IV
Course description: This course is designed for the more advanced student. Emphasis continues on increasing the student’s conversational ability, reviewing and expanding important principles of grammar, and introducing the student to literary analysis through selected readings.
Assistante d'Anglais, École Primaire de Milhaud, France
September 2011-April 2012
CP-CM2
Designed lessons, activities, and assessments for twelve classes.