The course is aimed at those with no previous knowledge of French. The module aims to take students rapidly to about A1-level standard of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), in the understanding and use of written and spoken French.
Module will run
Occurrence
Teaching period
A
Semester 1 2023-24 to Semester 2 2023-24
Module aims
This module will steadily build the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to communicate and interact in French over the course of the year. It will focus on developing a communicative competence at beginner level, to about A1-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.
Module learning outcomes
On completion of the course, students will be able to:
understand everyday expressions and short, simple informational material and texts (e.g. on sports, music, travel or short, illustrated narratives about everyday activities)
extract key information from short, simple texts and written documents (messages, notices, instructions, brochures, signs, etc.).
understand and participate in basic conversations that might occur in everyday situations.
produce short simple phrases to talk about people, places and themselves (e.g. name, address, family, nationality), as well as simple aspects of their everyday life
interact in a simple way and to ask and answer simple questions about themselves and their daily routines
use a variety of basic idioms and structures to express themselves in French with a reasonable level of accuracy
recognise basic cultural differences (e.g. differing ways of numbering, measuring distance, telling the time, etc.) and to establish basic social contact by using the simplest, but appropriate, everyday polite forms of greetings, farewells and introductions
demonstrate insight into very basic aspects of the culture and everyday life and respond appropriately when interacting in French in simple situations.
Module content
introducing yourself, your family, your hobbies and understanding when others tell you about themselves and their circumstances
asking and answering basic questions about a city/neighbourhood and asking about opening times and how to find facilities
describing what you wear, buying clothes, talking about the seasons/ the weather
ordering food, understanding eating habits, talking about healthy eating
understanding basic job, skills and competences
talking/writing about what you have done and are going to do, e.g. work, education, jobs, daily routine, leisure
The course is non-assessed but students will receive an LfA Certificate of Completion if they participate in at least 13 sessions out of 18.
Reassessment
None
Module feedback
Regular homework tasks will provide opportunities for ongoing feedback on progress.
In addition, students will have the opportunity to complete coursework. Its purpose is not to provide a summative assessment of students’ performance but to provide the basis for relevant tutor’s feedback and feedforward.
Indicative reading
Course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenors via the VLE at the start of the semester.