French Language and Cultures: Intermediate - LAN00076C
Module summary
Learning a language can be a transformative and enriching experience. Both the process and the outcomes are beneficial at various levels, from increased neuroplasticity to improving your overall academic performance, fostering empathy and intercultural awareness, and enhancing your career opportunities. This course is aimed at students who already have a good level of competence in French, i.e. students who have completed the LFA Lower Intermediate course or their AS in French (or equivalent). The module will take students to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), in the understanding and use of written and spoken French.
Related modules
AS in French or successful completion of the module French Language and Culture: Lower Intermediate or equivalent.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
| B | Semester 2 2024-25 |
Module aims
This module will steadily build the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to communicate and interact in French over the course of a semester. It will focus on developing a communicative competence at intermediate level, to about B1 level standard of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Students will engage, individually and/or in groups, in communicative activities and tasks emphasising three modes of communication:
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reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension);
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production activities (oral and written production);
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interaction activities (oral, written and online interaction).
The mediums of instruction are English and French.
Module learning outcomes
On completion of the course, students will be able to:
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understand straightforward factual, authentic texts with a satisfactory level of comprehension
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produce short, complex texts on topics of interest and express and justify their opinion.
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summarise, report and give their opinion about factual information
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fill in forms and write emails, short letters and brief accounts of events in French with a reasonable level of accuracy
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express personal opinions and exchange information on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events)
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cope appropriately with most unexpected situations, problems and negotiations in French
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generally respond appropriately to the most commonly used cultural cues to discuss in appropriate terms different perceptions of culturally determined actions.
Module content
The course will include topics such:
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traveling, talking about past travels
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talking about music, likes, and dislikes, expressing emotions, and giving advice
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talking about aspirations, wishes, and following one’s dream
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talking about new technologies and scams, giving opinions, discussing social media
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talking about rights and responsibilities, complaining/ forms of protest
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talking about cinema, giving opinions, explaining a plot
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talking about education, the education system
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talking about the media, including the press
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60.0 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 40.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60.0 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 40.0 |
Module feedback
Students’ performance will be monitored through formative work throughout the semester and assessed via end of semester exams.
Formative assessment and feedback
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Formative tasks done individually or in groups throughout the module
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Feedback will include written comments for written formative work
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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.
Indicative reading
Further course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenors via the VLE at the start of the semester.