SMCE4012 F25 Cinélangue: Explore French Cinema and Language

• Delivery: In-person
• Duration: 4 weeks
• Day of the week: Thursdays
• Dates: October 16 – November 6, 2025 (includes French cinema snacks each week, and a vin-fromage on November 6)
• Time: 6:30- 8:30 p.m.
• Location: On-campus at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto (location TBD)
• Cost: $225 (includes HST)

Course Overview

Immerse yourself in the world of French cinema while enhancing your language skills. During this course, we will watch and discuss two films, La grande séduction and Le Dîner de cons while at the same time exploring related idiomatic expressions, vocabulary and themes of community, personal pride, deceit, social hierarchy and hope.  

Each session combines discussion and reactions to the film with practical language exercises, allowing you to actively practice speaking, listening, and comprehension. Whether you’re a film lover or a language enthusiast, this course offers a dynamic and interactive way to deepen your appreciation for both French culture and language.

This series will include French cinema snacks each week and a vin-fromage on the last evening. 

Method of Instruction

Using film as our text, learners will be guided in interactive exercises designed to improve speaking, listening and conversation skills. Learners will add new French words and phrases to their lexicons, and practice conversation and dialogue. This course is suitable for beginning learners.

Learning Outcomes

In this course, learners will:

• Identify and use vocabulary related to humor, social interaction, professions, emotions, and small-town life. 
• Improve pronunciation and listening skills through exposure to regional accents and colloquial language. 
• Engage in structured conversations and debates using appropriate expressions for agreement, disagreement, and emotional nuance. 
• Compare cultural norms between France and Quebec, with a focus on language variation, regional identity, and values. 
• Discuss the ethical and social implications of characters’ actions in both films, using appropriate cultural context 
• Express informed personal opinions about characters, themes, and cinematic techniques in oral and written French. 

About the Instructor

Career educator and author, Dr. Salvatori serves as Director of Continuing Education at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto.  Prior to this role, Michael served as Vice President of Strategy and as Associate Professor at Niagara University in Ontario.

As the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers from 2009-2021, Michael led Canada’s largest self-regulatory body for the teaching profession.

Earlier in his career, Michael served as an elementary and secondary school core French and French immersion teacher, a vice-principal, principal, and as an assistant professor at Glendon College of York University.

Long a champion of second language education, he is fluent in French, Italian, English and German and is author and co-author of numerous textbooks and teacher resources.

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