Intensive Beginning French For students who have not previously studied French, an introduction to listening, speaking, reading, and writing in French, providing the syntactic and semantic foundation of the French language in a concentrated program of grammar presentation, drills, laboratory work, and discussion. Primary emphasis will be placed on the student's active use of the language, and weekly attendance at the French language table will be required. This course does not fulfill the foreign language distribution requirement. Students are expected to continue with FREN 0102 in the winter term after successfully completing FREN 0101, and with FREN 0201in the spring.

Self and Society: Effective Writing in French In this course, students will deepen their knowledge of the French language and French-speaking cultures while developing their reading and writing skills through examination of a variety of texts and media. This course facilitates the transition from language-oriented courses (FREN 0205) to content-oriented courses  (such as FREN 0220 and FREN 0230)  by introducing students to strategies for interpretation and discussion, with a focus on effective writing. Course materials may include essays/articles, theater, fiction, poetry, videos, and films.

African Stories, African Histories: Contemporary Francophone African Literature and Film In this course students will be introduced to Africa’s complex history through fictional recounts by African creatives. Students will be exposed to African storytelling styles, remarking how African writers transpose traditional oral techniques into written French narratives. Students will hone their literary analytic skills while improving their written and oral skills in the French language. Students will interrogate how we can retrace Africa’s historical trajectory through its literature and film. We will examine themes of oppression and resistance, trauma and healing in contemporary Francophone African literature and films.  Creative works will include: the film Karmen Geï (2001), directed by Joseph Gai Ramaka; the film La nuit des rois (2020), directed by Philippe Lacôte; the novel Notre Dame du Nil (2012) by Scholastique Mukasonga; the novel Les arbres en parlent encore (2002) by Calixthe Beyala.

African Stories, African Histories: Contemporary Francophone African Literature and Film* In this course students will be introduced to Africa’s complex history through fictional recounts by African creatives. Students will be exposed to African storytelling styles, remarking how African writers transpose traditional oral techniques into written French narratives. Students will hone their literary analytic skills while improving their written and oral skills in the French language. Students will interrogate how we can retrace Africa’s historical trajectory through its literature and film. We will examine themes of oppression and resistance, trauma and healing in contemporary Francophone African literature and films.  Creative works will include: the film Karmen Geï (2001), directed by Joseph Gai Ramaka; the film La nuit des rois (2020), directed by Philippe Lacôte; the novel Notre Dame du Nil (2012) by Scholastique Mukasonga; the novel Les arbres en parlent encore (2002) by Calixthe Beyala.

Power (Race) and Space in French and Francophone Narratives How do French-speaking poets, writers, artists, and filmmakers engage with the notion of power and race in public and private spaces? What tools enable us to unpack, understand, and even theorize their reflections on relations in the societies and cultures they depict?  In this bridge course between the language program and advanced classes, we will refine our written and spoken French as we learn to interpret diverse texts and cultural artifacts from the Francophone world with texts from the 19th to the 21st centuries. Classes will be discussion-based to allow students to share their impressions, and  will expand their thinking through writing and reflection-based assignments. Writers will include Léopold Sedar Senghor, Guy Tirolien, Maryse Condé, Charles Baudelaire and Mariama Bâ. (FREN 0209 or placement).

Intermediate French I Emphasis on increased control and proficiency in the language through audiovisual, conversational, and drill methods. Readings and film enlarge the student's view of French life and culture.

Nnenna Onyima

Reviews and ratings for Nnenna Onyima at Middlebury College.Nnenna Onyima teaches Beginning French Part One, Self&Society Writing in French, African Stories and Histories and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Nnenna Onyima good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

The class is quite fast-paced, but really enjoyable. I like the style of using presentations, and I feel that, specifically, Prof. Onyima's enthusiastic teaching style helps me grasp the material better and stay engaged.

The class is honestly really fun! It is fast paced but if you keep up with the homework you will be good. Exams aren't too bad if you take the time to prepare for them. I will say keeping up with language tables/cultural activities can be hard to manage but that would happen in any language course.   

This course is taught entirely in french, so it really allows students to soak in the language. There is homework due at midnight every day. Exams wouldn't be too bad if you put in effort for the daily homework. Professor Onyima is enthusiastic and lightens the class atmosphere.