This is an advanced-level module developed with the purpose of teaching students to express, interpret, and negotiate meaning in context. The TP will be divided into two areas of focus : a intercultural one and professional one. Each lesson will aim to develop the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking, and to deepen knowledge and understanding of the grammar and lexis of the French language through a variety of activities such as:
1. Communicating in different situations (through role plays, presentations, group discussions)
2. Reading activities and exercises
3. Writing activities ranging from CVs to compositions
4. Practice grammatical structures and vocabulary
The module content follows the Languages Ladder framework and the Common European Framework.
Educational Aims
The module emphasises the functional use of language within a proficiency-oriented framework around two main themes: a job or professional-related theme and a more cultural one. The development of the basic skills – listening, speaking, reading, writing - are given equal weight and are taught as building blocks toward proficiency and communication.
This module aims to consolidate and expand the fundamentals of French language acquired at the level of Advanced 1 (or equivalent). This module is a French course, which offers practical knowledge of Francophone cultures and French language as spoken by native speakers, both in professional and day to day life situations. This practical knowledge will be developed in five areas: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural competence. Furthermore, this course will consolidate the fundamentals of French grammar at advanced level.
The course is organized around interactive and communicative activities that will allow students to build all skills in the most effective way. On completion of this module students will have acquired the following skills:
Knowledge and understanding: students will be able to:
- Use a wider range of vocabulary adapted to the situation
- Demonstrate comprehension of spoken and written authentic French in various situations and formats
- Apply grammatical structures to both oral and written purposes
Cognitive skills: students will be able to:
- Identify the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters (encountered at work, leisure...)
- Demonstrate the use of conversational skills in a variety of communicative situations
- Demonstrate accurate reading comprehension of cultural and job-related issues
- Produce written French to meet practical needs as well as creative expression.
Subject-specific skills: students will be able to
- Apply for a placement or a job in a French-speaking country
- Communicate (orally and in written) effectively and appropriately in both formal and informal situations
- Engage in and sustain face to face conversation with others about a variety of topics.
- Develop awareness of the challenges of intercultural communication
- Behave and interact in a culturally appropriate way
Transferable skills: students will have practised
- Using different learning resources available in print or on-line
- Working autonomously inside and outside the classroom, to further their knowledge of French through independent learning skills;
- Working in pairs and groups to practise and consolidate written and spoken communicative competence.
The course will be delivered in French. English will be used only if necessary or requested by students in particular situations or grammar explanations. Students are expected to use the target language as a means of communication in the classroom.
Students will be encouraged to seek opportunities to practise the four skills outside the classroom. They will be expected to take advantage of the learning resources available in the School to practise, revise and consolidate their learning of the French language (for instance by using Auralog - Tell me more - a language software available in the Language labs)
The module will consist of two contact hours per week.
A minimum of 3-4 hours a week, in addition to the 2 taught hours, should be devoted to French outside the classroom to complete work set by the tutor, assignments on grammar structures, learn and revise vocabulary and practise reading, writing, and listening skills.
How are the total Learning Hours per module achieved?
| Contact Hours | 20 |
| Directed Learning | 20 |
| Private Study & Assessment | 60 |
| Total | 100 |
10 credits = 100 hours, 20 credits = 200 hours
Feedback will be given through:
Summative Assessment
-
8-min oral presentation and discussion in week 24. Students will prepare a topic in advance, and will be able to use one page of A4, containing key words only, to assist with their presentation. The page of notes should be approved beforehand by the tutor. 20%
-
2-hour and 20 minute exam (listening comprehension, grammar and vocabulary exercises, reading comprehension, and a written composition) (examination period), No dictionary allowed. 80%
Students are advised that all marks obtained in tests are subject to moderation, and that in case of cohort’s averages above the University norms, the group’s results will be scaled according to the list published in the Assessment Handbook for Undergraduate Programmes and on the UWLP website.
Coursebook
Berthet, A, Daill, E., Hugot, C., Kizirian, V.M., Waendendries , M. (2012) Alter Ego 2+ . Hachette Français Langue Etrangère
ISBN : 9782011558121
Grammar book:
Hawkins, R. and Towell, R. (2001) French grammar and usage. London, Arnold
Dictionaries
Oxford-Hachette. French-English Dictionary. Oxford: OUP
(or equivalent bilingual dictionary).
A list of useful electronic resources will be available on Blackboard.
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