This module is designed as an introduction to the French language for students with no previous knowledge.
The module content follows the Languages Ladder framework, provides student with the basic structures needed at this level, and ensures progression in language ability and proficiency.
Language purposes and functions
- Taking part in simple situations (e.g. greeting/responding to greetings; expressing thanks; apologising)
- Giving simple information
- Asking simple questions
- Describing (e.g. colour, size, location, possession, appearance)
- Giving simple opinions
- Following/giving simple instructions
- Expressing ability
- Using numbers and expressing quantity
- Expressing time (e.g. clock, days, months)
Educational Aims
The Module will help students to develop strategies for coping with French in real-life situations. At the end of this module students will be entitled to take French for Beginners II.
Knowledge and understanding: students will be able to;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic grammatical structures of French
- Understand and communicate basic factual information in French, orally and in writing
- Listen to and understand in detail selected short samples of French
- Read short adapted French texts aimed at learners of French
Cognitive skills: students will be able to
- Write short passages in French on a range of practical and descriptive themes
- Extract key information from written and spoken sources
- Express opinions about basic topics of daily life
Subject-specific skills: students will be able to
- Use of basic grammatical structures
- Communicate orally and by written factual information in French
- Listen and read short text in French
Transferable skills: students will have practised
- Using relevant reference materials
- Organising their own learning with guidance from the tutor, planning and managing time efficiently to get the most out of independent study
- Using a variety of learning aids, in a variety of media, to consolidate learning
- Working in pairs or groups
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Working independently
Communication in French will be encouraged from the outset. Classes will be conducted mainly in the target language, enabling students to learn and practise the new grammatical structures and vocabulary covered in each session. In order to develop and consolidate skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, classes will be highly interactive.
The course will consist of two hours per week. In addition, several hours a week should be devoted to French outside the classroom to do work set by the tutor, and practise reading, writing and listening skills.
The module will consist of two contact hours per week.
A minimum of 2 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
Students will prepare a topic in advance, by agreement with tutor, for this presentation. They 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.
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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
Bissar, D., Phillips, H., Tschirhart, C. (2001) Palgrave Foundations – French 1. Bristol: J. W. Arrowsmith.
Grammar book
Hawkins, R. and Towell, R. (2010) French grammar and usage. London, Arnold.
Conjugation
Bescherelle (1986) Complete Guide to Conjugating 12000 French Verbs (English Edition) (Bescherelle 1), Paris: Hatier.
Vocabulary
Spratbrow, A. (2001) What you must know. Paris: Casteilla.
Dictionary
Oxford-Hachette. French-English Dictionary. Oxford: OUP.(or equivalent bilingual dictionary).
Other resources
Berthet, A., Hugot, C., Kizirian, V.M, Sampsonis, B. & Waendendries, M. (2006) Alter Ego. Méthode de français 1. Paris: Hachette.
`Terrell, T. D., Rogers, M., Kerr, B., Spielmann, G. (2001) Deux Mondes: Student Version: A Communicative Approach (4th ed). New-York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
A list of useful electronic resources is available on Blackboard.
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