MLF2152 - Intermediate French

2020/1 Module description

StaffDr Clementine Force -
Credit Value30
ECTS Value15
NQF Level5
Pre-requisitesMLF1052
Co-requisitesNone
Duration of Module Term 1: 11 weeks; Term 2: 11 weeks;

Module description

This intensive language module is designed for students who have completed MLF1052 (French Language for Beginners) or equivalent. The module aims to train you in all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening comprehension) as well as translation. It will expand your grammatical knowledge of French, with a focus on more advanced grammatical structures, which you will apply to written and oral tasks. The module will also focus on equipping you with the vocabulary required to deal with a range of authentic topics and situations. Particular emphasis will be on preparing you for your year abroad in a French-speaking country.

Module aims

This module consolidates and develops the language skills acquired in MLF1052 ‘French Language for Beginners’, enabling you to communicate confidently in French through a range of written, oral, and comprehension exercises, as well as through translation exercises, covering different registers and areas of vocabulary.

The module will focus on more advanced grammatical constructions and functions, which will enable you to communicate in a wider range of communicative contexts and express your ideas in an increasingly varied and sophisticated manner.

The module also aims to prepare you for your year abroad and further your understanding of life and culture in French-speaking countries.

ILO: Module-specific skills

  • 1. Apply knowledge of a broad range of grammatical features of French to a variety of communicative tasks
  • 2. Translate passages from a variety of authentic written sources into French
  • 3. Produce written pieces in French on a range of topics
  • 4. Engage in discussion of a range of topics in oral French, articulating own opinions and responding to the opinions of others
  • 5. Give short oral presentations in the target language on a defined topic to a small group of listeners
  • 6. Demonstrate comprehension of written and/or aural French texts on a range of authentic topics

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

  • 7. Use a bilingual and a learners’ monolingual dictionary to glean information about meaning, register, usage and grammatical forms
  • 8. Engage with a range of French language media

ILO: Personal and key skills

  • 9. Communicate competently in a target language and demonstrate intercultural competence.
  • 10. Express and discuss views in front of a group of listeners

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:

  • Systematic coverage of module materials on a range of topics and with a focus on more advanced structures
  • Development of translation strategies; acquisition of new vocabulary; enhancement of comprehension skills and ability to develop an increasingly accurate form of expression in the target language. Further development of the translation of texts from English into French
  • Oral work with regular small group discussions and authentic scenarios to assist with year abroad preparation

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
662340

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching44Language seminars: Integrated skills, including translation; developing and enhancing reading comprehension, writing; dealing with grammar and vocabulary exercises.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching22Oral classes: Emphasis on oral and listening comprehension skills, with a focus on preparation for year abroad.
Guided Independent Study234Time spent on completing formative exercises and independent study to consolidate learning. As part of guided independent study, you are advised to follow a series of grammar revision lectures on ELE to consolidate your knowledge of French grammar.

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
6 formative tasks covering some or all of the following areas: grammar, writing, listening, reading, speaking, translation.Variable1-10Written and oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
502525

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Portfolio50Variable1-10Written and oral feedback
Written examination25Take-home exam1,3,9Written feedback
Oral examination2515 minutes4,9Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
PortfolioPortfolio1-10Referral/deferral period
Written examinationWritten examination1-3,9Referral/deferral period
Oral examinationOral examination4,9Referral/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%.

You will only be required to retake any failed assessments. Marks for any passed assessments will be carried forward. If you have failed any assessments but managed to pass the module overall, you will not be allowed to retake the failed assessments. 

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:  

  • Nouveau Rond Point 2 : Livre de l’élève (2011). ISBNâ?¯: 9788484436959 
  • Nouveau Rond Point 3 : Livre de l’élève (2011). ISBNâ?¯: 9788484439851 
  • J. Rey-Debove, Dictionnaire du français. Le Robert & Cle International. ISBNâ?¯: 978-2090339994 
  • Collins Robert French Dictionary Complete and Unabridged edition: 500,000 translations (Collins Dictionaries). ISBN : 978-0007556526 

 

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

 

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

A wide range of language learning materials is available in the Foreign Language Centre, the Library as well as online. As part of the module, your tutors will provide guidance on the materials best suited for guided independent language learning. 

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

15/02/2019

Last revision date

30/07/2020

Key words search

French, French language, Intermediate French, French ex-beginners

Important please note

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the module descriptors for the Online Module Selection process, please be aware that on rare occasions it may be necessary to remove proposed modules for reasons beyond our control. In addition, there are still some new modules going through the accreditation process. These will be offered in due course by the relevant discipline.

All modules displayed below have been approved by the approval process but may require further minor amendments before the commencement of teaching.

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Foreign Language Centre modules

Term 1 module codes listed above ending with C, i.e. FLF1115C, are only available to outbound students who are away in Term 2. Students studying all year must select the standard module across both Term 1 and 2.