MLF1001 - French Language
2022/3 Module description
| Staff | Dr Eleanor Hodgson - Lecturer Dr Damien Gaucher - Lecturer |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 30 |
| ECTS Value | 15 |
| NQF Level | 4 |
| Pre-requisites | A-level French or equivalent |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Duration of Module | Term 1: 11 weeks; Term 2: 11 weeks; |
Module description
This module will allow you to consolidate and develop your language skills in French. You will work on the key skills of language learning – reading, writing, speaking and listening – through a variety of exercises. You will develop your understanding of French grammar and deepen your knowledge of French society and culture. The material for study is drawn from a range of sources, including language textbooks, recent articles, and a short novel.
This module is designed for students with an A-level in French language or equivalent, and who wish to acquire the foundation for studying French at Level two and beyond.
Module aims
- To reinforce and extend the level of the four skills - listening, reading, speaking and writing – achieved at A-level.
- To consolidate your understanding of French grammar, and facilitate your application of this to written and oral tasks.
- To increase your level of comprehension of written and spoken French.
- To enhance your ability to communicate in accurate French, in a clear and structured manner.
- To expand your vocabulary in French.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Write and speak French with increased accuracy, and increase proficiency in aural and reading comprehension
- 2. Apply knowledge of a range of grammatical features of French, including some complex or advanced structures, to a range of linguistic exercises
- 3. Use the target language in a wide range of linguistic exercises
- 4. Use bilingual and monolingual dictionaries to expand vocabulary, establish basic meanings, and find key grammatical information
- 5. Express ideas and opinions orally in French and interact with other students in a group and with the tutor
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 6. Understand a broad range of linguistic terminology, and apply this to verbal and written work
- 7. Keep abreast of current affairs by engaging with the French-language media (printed and electronic, including television and radio)
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 8. Communicate information in verbal and written form in a foreign language
- 9. Express and defend opinions on a range of topics
- 10. Use IT skills effectively to support language development
- 11. Advance linguistic competence independently, with guidance from course tutors
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
Each week the contact hours will be distributed as follows:
- Plenary lecture (1 hour): Introduction to the grammatical point under study
- Anglophone seminar (1 hour): Grammar consolidation and discussion; linguistic study of a literary text; translation into English
- Francophone seminar (1 hour): Reading comprehension; acquisition of vocabulary and cultural knowledge; translation into French
- Oral class (1 hour): Debate and discussion
- Grammar topics will include uses of the past tenses; passive forms; articles; the subjunctive; relative and interrogative pronouns; word order; compound and pronominal verbs.
- Anglophone and Francophone seminars will dovetail to offer opportunities for diverse linguistic tasks through the year. These typically include: translation; reading comprehension; dictation; grammar exercises; vocabulary building; composition.
- Topics for oral classes will be drawn from current affairs.
You receive a detailed module syllabus at the start of the academic year.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | 212 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Plenary lecture: Explanation and practice of grammar |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Anglophone seminar: Grammar consolidation and discussion; linguistic study of a short novel or literary text; translation into English |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Francophone seminar: Reading comprehension; acquisition of vocabulary and cultural knowledge; translation into French |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Oral class: Oral debate and discussion |
| Guided independent Study | 212 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 formative tasks (e.g. translation; written response to reading comprehension; composition; dictation, listening comprehension; reading comprehension) | Variable | 1-11 | Written and oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 30 | 20 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written examination | 30 | 1.5 hours | 1-4, 6-8, 10 | Written and oral feedback |
| Listening comprehension | 10 | Up to 1 hour | 2-3, 6-8, 10-11 | Written and oral feedback |
| Portfolio | 40 | As described on the ELE page | 1-11 | Written and oral feedback |
| Oral exam | 20 | Up to 20 minutes | 1-3, 5-9 | Written and oral feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written examination | Written examination | 1-4, 6-8, 10 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Listening comprehension | Listening comprehension | 2-3, 6-8, 10-11 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Portfolio | Variable | 2, 4-9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Oral exam | Oral exam | 1-4, 6-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
-
Margaret Jubb and Annie Rouxeville,â?¯French Grammar in Context Fifth Editionâ?¯(Routledge, 2014). Please ensure you purchase theâ?¯Fifth Edition
-
A bilingual dictionary, e.g. Collins-Robert.
-
A monolingual dictionary, e.g. Larousse or theâ?¯Petit Robert
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Extra resources for developing language skills are available at the Foreign Language Centre.
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
01/01/2010
Last revision date
17/05/2021
Key words search
French, Language, Level 1, France, written, oral
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Foreign Language Centre modules
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