- Department: Language and Linguistic Science
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: C
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
- See module specification for other years: 2024-25
This module combines an in-depth study of French with analysis of cultural and social phenomena. Students will develop knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in French at an upper intermediate level through engagement with topics arising from social and political debates of current interest to French-speaking people.
A-level in French or successful completion of the module French Language and Cultures: Intermediate or equivalent level of proficiency.
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 1 2023-24 |
This module aims at revising and consolidating knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in French and to develop a plurilingual and pluricultural communicative competence at upper intermediate level. Students will engage, individually and in groups, in communicative activities emphasising three modes of communication: 1) reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension); 2) production activities (oral and written production); 3) interaction (oral, written and online interaction). The medium of instruction is French. The module also introduces students to socio-cultural issues related to their language repertoire, and to language learning reflection.
Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to:
understand with a degree of independence authentic texts on both familiar and unfamiliar topics
describe and present the topics studied with appropriate highlighting of significant points, and relevant supporting detail
interact with an appropriate degree of accuracy, fluency and spontaneity
sustain views convincingly by providing relevant explanations and arguments
interpret cultural cues appropriately in the culture concerned, and reflect on, and explain, particular ways of communicating across diverse cultural contexts.
Students will be introduced to a number of social, cultural, political and/or linguistic topics, specific to French-speaking countries, such as:
France and its stereotypes
France and its traditions, its regional specificities
how French society has changed economically, socially and politically since 1945
the notions of culture(s) and of intangible cultural heritage in French-speaking countries
Selected grammar topics will also form part of every lesson in the form of revision, exercises and independent study. They may include:
parts of speech
adjectives (position and function)
tenses (indicative mood)
sentence components
pronouns
the passive voice
past tenses and participle agreements
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60 |
Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 40 |
None
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60 |
Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 40 |
Formative assessment and feedback
Formative tasks done individually and/or in groups throughout the module.
Students will be given:
written comments for written formative work
oral feedback during class discussions
Summative assessment and feedback
Students will be given written feedback and marks for their work within the University mandated schedule.
Course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenor(s) in class and/or via the VLE at the start of the semester.