- Department: Language and Linguistic Science
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: H
- Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
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.
AS in French or successful completion of the module French Language and Culture: Lower Intermediate or equivalent.
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
B | Semester 2 2024-25 |
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:
reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension);
production activities (oral and written production);
interaction activities (oral, written and online interaction).
The mediums of instruction are English and French.
On completion of the course, students will be able to:
understand straightforward factual, authentic texts with a satisfactory level of comprehension
produce short, complex texts on topics of interest and express and justify their opinion.
summarise, report and give their opinion about factual information
fill in forms and write emails, short letters and brief accounts of events in French with a reasonable level of accuracy
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)
cope appropriately with most unexpected situations, problems and negotiations in French
generally respond appropriately to the most commonly used cultural cues to discuss in appropriate terms different perceptions of culturally determined actions
reflect upon language use and justify linguistic choices
self-monitor and self-regulate their own learning and resources
The course will include topics such:
traveling, talking about past travels
talking about music, likes, and dislikes, expressing emotions, and giving advice
talking about aspirations, wishes, and following one’s dream
talking about new technologies and scams, giving opinions, discussing social media
talking about rights and responsibilities, complaining/ forms of protest
talking about cinema, giving opinions, explaining a plot
talking about education, the education system
talking about the media, including the press
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60 |
Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 40 |
None
Written exam will include one or two questions aimed at assessing students’ ability to reflect on language use and justify their responses and choices when using the language (in English) and a task related to students’ ability to monitor their own learning.
Oral exam will include strategic competence in the target language among the assessment criteria in production and interaction activities.
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60 |
Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 40 |
Students’ performance will be monitored through formative work throughout the semester and assessed via end of semester exams.
Formative assessment and feedback
Formative tasks done individually or in groups throughout the module
Feedback will include 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.
Further course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenors via the VLE at the start of the semester.