FREN 111 at the University of Maryland Global Campus is a 3-credit introduction to French.
UMGC's description says the course assumes no prior knowledge, and that the objective is to listen to, speak, read and write elementary French in concrete, real-life situations and in culturally appropriate ways.
Pronunciation practice is built in, and the course explores the diverse language and culture of the French-speaking world. UMGC notes that online sections require a microphone and speakers and occasional synchronous work, which surprises some students who expected an entirely written course.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
| Code and title | FREN 111 Elementary French I |
| Credits | 3 |
| Prerequisite | None; assumes no prior knowledge of French |
| Who it is for | Not open to native speakers; students with prior experience should take a placement test |
| Credit rule | Credit for only one of FREN 101 or FREN 111 |
| Online requirements | Microphone, speakers and occasional synchronous work |
What FREN 111 Covers
| Skill (from UMGC's description) | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Listening | Understanding short spoken exchanges at a natural pace |
| Speaking | Introducing yourself, asking and answering simple questions |
| Reading | Short texts built from known vocabulary |
| Writing | Simple sentences and short paragraphs on everyday topics |
| Pronunciation | Sounds, liaison and intonation |
| Culture | The diversity of the French-speaking world |
Key Concepts Explained
Gender and Agreement
French nouns are masculine or feminine, and articles and adjectives agree with them. Learn each noun with its article.
Example: un livre intéressant (a masculine noun with a masculine adjective) but une histoire intéressante (a feminine noun, with an added -e on the adjective). Writing "un histoire" is a very common first-term error.
Present Tense of Regular Verbs
Regular -er verbs take predictable endings. Learning one verb well gives you a pattern for hundreds.
Example: parler: je parle, tu parles, il parle, nous parlons, vous parlez, ils parlent. The endings -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, -ent apply to most regular -er verbs.
ÊTre and Avoir
These two irregular verbs appear in nearly every sentence and in later tenses. Practice them until they are automatic.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary and grammar exercises | Accuracy | Short, frequent practice rather than one long session |
| Recorded speaking tasks | Pronunciation and fluency | Script lightly, record several takes, listen back |
| Short writing tasks | Using taught structures | Use only what you have learned; check agreement |
| Cultural reading or discussion | Understanding context | Link one fact to one observation |
Sounds Worth Practicing First
Pronunciation is graded in speaking tasks, and a few sounds cause most of the trouble for English speakers. Practice them in short phrases rather than in isolation.
| Feature | What to notice | Practice phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Nasal vowels | Air passes through the nose; the n is not pronounced separately | bon, vin, an |
| The French r | Made at the back of the throat | rouge, merci |
| Silent final consonants | Many final letters are not pronounced | petit, grand |
| Liaison | A normally silent consonant links to a following vowel | les amis, vous avez |
A Simple Weekly Routine
Language learning rewards frequency. A routine of short, varied sessions works better than a single long one. This is a suggestion, not UMGC's schedule.
- Daily, 10 minutes: flash cards for vocabulary with articles.
- Three times a week, 10 minutes: speak aloud, record and listen back.
- Twice a week, 15 minutes: grammar exercises, then check errors.
- Once a week: write five sentences about your week and compare with a model.
Keep your drafts, because comparing them month by month shows progress that is easy to miss day to day.
A Ten-Minute Self-Test
- Introduce yourself aloud in three sentences.
- Conjugate parler and être without notes.
- Give the article for five nouns you studied this week.
- Ask two questions about someone's day.
Repeat weekly with new material. Quick checks like this show what to revise before graded tasks.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Pronunciation. Silent letters and liaison are unfamiliar. Listen and repeat daily.
- Agreement. Check gender and number of every noun and adjective.
- Translating word by word. Think in short, set phrases.
- Speaking nerves. Rehearse aloud before recording.
Study Tips for FREN 111
- Study for 20 minutes daily rather than two hours weekly.
- Test your microphone and software before the first speaking task.
- Learn nouns with their articles.
- Read each prompt twice and answer in the structure it models.
How We Help with FREN 111
Send the task, your draft and any model texts from the course. A French tutor can explain grammar, correct your own writing and show why each change is made. Use this to learn the pattern, and submit work that is your own.
GradeEssays is independent and not affiliated with the University of Maryland Global Campus. Our work is a study and reference aid; complete and submit your own work under UMGC's academic integrity policy. Orders are written from scratch, with free revisions within the scope of your original request and a full refund if late.
Build Confidence in Your French
Share the assignment, your draft and the rubric. We explain corrections so you learn the pattern, not just the fix.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. UMGC says the course assumes no prior knowledge. Students with experience should take a placement test.
UMGC states the course is not open to native speakers of French.
UMGC notes that online sections require a microphone, speakers and occasional synchronous work.
UMGC allows credit for only one of them.
FREN 112 lists FREN 111 or a placement test score as its prerequisite.
Yes. Send it and we correct, explain and show the rules involved.