Elissa Gelfand - Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA

Professor: Elissa Gelfand

Department: Languages

College: Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FR203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I love Prof Gelfand! Definitely one of my favorite teachers here. She is so sweet and is very clear about her expectations. don't be afraid to participate in class!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FREN215
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

she may be a little intimidating at times, but she is extremely clear about her expectations. she lays out exactly what she wants from you and you will do well if you follow that, even if it leaves little room for imagination.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FREN215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I'll admit that I hated the course material for this class, but Gelfand made the class manageable. Her lectures are very in-depth and contain pretty much everything you need for the essays. The essays/readings can be difficult, and be prepared for a LOT of corrections. I feel like I'm better at writing after this though. Participation is vital.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FREN215
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

So much reading and then very little in depth discussion of it. Tough grading of our essays most of the time. Presentations were repetitive. I really wouldn't recommend this class to anyone. At the end we were assigned a final we were absolutely not prepared to take. It was a quotes exam and essay. Looking back I would not have taken this class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FRENCH215
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

There is a lot of reading, not always very interesting reading. The class is discussion based, and if you don't speak up, she'll call on you. She seems really easy, but then grades really harshly. In my opinion she's a little too lenient with people using English in class. Sometimes her class is dry because of these robotic presentations.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FREN215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

There's a ton of reading, but it's not the end of the world if you don't do a few of them. The class is discussion based, so make sure to speak up! One of the best parts of the class is that she'll let you revise your essay with hints from her before you turn in a final draft.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FREN370
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I like Elissa! She is clearly enthusiastic about her topic and very knowledgeable. Very approachable, available for help. Not an easy grader though, but you'll learn a lot! After all this is the way college is supposed to be. I'd recommend a class with her.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FREN370
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I really hate the class i have with her now... readings are disturbing, grotesque, and oftentimes in English, which makes no sense in my mind.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FRE215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Excellent professor! She is challenging, engaging, and helpful. One of the best features of this class was that she allowed us to correct our essays before turning them in for a final evaluation; this helped me better understand my grammatical errors and how to fix them. She does make you visit "writing mentors" that are a waste of time, though.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FR203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Gelfand was tough, but very nice. She really encouraged people to participate, but she wasn't scary at all. Available always for extra help.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FREN215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very good prof. Clearly enthusiastic about her topic, extremely helpful. Long reading and paper assignments, but they are definitely helpful! My French writing skills improved a lot during the semester. Always approachable for questions on the assignment outside of class. Would definitely take a class with her again.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FREN215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She's really sweet, inclusive, and wants everyone to participate. She respects all levels of French and encourages you to talk. However, don't get on her bad side because she can be tough if you don't do EXACTLY what she wants (she makes her expectations very clear so this can be avoided). I recommend a class with her, you will learn a lot!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FREN215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She tried to throw me out of the class for missing a couple because I was ill, and then was completely unhelpful when I was behind on the work. She expects more than is reasonable and if you don't deliver she will make you pay.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FREN215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I really enjoyed this class! Professor Gelfand is very clear on what she expects, and there is a decent amount of work, but as long as you participate and follow her guidelines, you'll be fine. She is very nice and encouraging. One of my favorite professors!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FREN370
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Amazing professor

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FREN215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Madame Gelfand has made me love french more than ever. Expect to do a lot of work in her class: readings, papers, oral presentations and the one key thing: in-class participation. If you try hard to do ur part, she will always be willing to guide you through your difficulties. Definitely take her whether you plan on studying French in depth or not.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FRNCH215
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

absolutely adorable. if you need any help, she'll offer it and knows her subject very well. you have to TRY not to be prepared in this class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FRENCH201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

A lovely lady!! Incredibly helpful, kind, and a great teacher. It is not her fault I am terrible at languages.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FREN201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

For people coming out of high school French (or people who skipped a year of French) this class is awesome. You learn a lot--you work on oral/reading/listening skills--and the workload is NOTHING compared to most language classes.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: FRENCH201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I love her! Her class is difficult-- A LOT of work. But she understands when we have trouble with it. A very good teacher. Is always eager to help people who are having a rough time in class.