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PLF2230 - French Intermediate One

2017/8 Module description

Staff	Miss Caroline Blay - Convenor
Credit Value	30
ECTS Value	15
NQF Level	5
Pre-requisites	GCSE in French (A*-B) or equivalent
Co-requisites
Duration of Module	Term 1: 11 weeks; Term 2: 11 weeks;

Module description

French Intermediate 1 is intended for students who have successfully completed PLF1130 Beginners or who have a level broadly of GCSE A*-B grade (or equivalent). The module provides a systematic approach to building on essential grammar structures in a communicative context. The module is taught as far as possible in French.

French Intermediate One can be taken towards achieving ‘with proficiency in French”, see http://humanities.exeter.ac.uk/flc/undergraduate/proficiency/ .

Module aims

The module is appropriate for students who either already have or may quickly regain a level of proficiency in French broadly equivalent to that of GCSE Grade A-B (or equivalent). This module is to become a solid A2 User of the Common European Framework and aims to:

• Consolidate the essential structures of the target language, developing both vocabulary and range of language structures thus equipping students with the linguistic tools to enable them to communicate effectively in everyday situations
• Further develop active and passive language skills, including comprehension skills in listening, reading and productive skills in speaking, writing
• Deepen students' understanding and appreciation of the customs, culture and society of the regions/countries in which the languages are spoken and to develop student awareness of the general social and cultural background of the language.

ILO: Module-specific skills

• 1. Demonstrate competence in the use of basic grammatical structures of the target language
• 2. Read and comprehend straightforward written and aural texts on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, study, leisure etc. in the target language
• 3. Communicate effectively on a broad range of general topics which are familiar or of personal interest, both orally and in writing, and produce short descriptive and narrative texts, formal and informal letters.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

• 4. Understand the principles of learning a foreign language intensively and organise his/her learning with guidance from the tutor.
• 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, such as a reference grammar and bilingual dictionary, to consolidate his/her learning

ILO: Personal and key skills

• 6. Give a presentation on a topic pertinent to everyday occurrences in his/her field and hold a conversation in the target language which may involve expressing opinions and making value judgements
• 7. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and rigour and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign culture

Syllabus plan

The module provides a systematic approach to acquiring essential grammar structures in a communicative context and developing the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

It covers the following grammar / topics (non-exhaustive):

 

• Tenses: present, past (perfect & imperfect) and future tenses.

• Moods: Imperative, Present participle, Conditional & Subjunctive.

• Pronouns: relative (qui, que, dont, où), ‘toniques’(me, you, him/her, us, them), direct and indirect objects, demonstratives and use of pronouns ‘en’ and ‘y’.

• Comparisons.

• Expressions of time.

• Negative forms.

• Possessive adjectives.

• Articles: partitives.

• Reflexive verbs

 

Main Topics (non-exhaustive):

 

• Origins and background, Express likes/dislikes. Say where you come from and put the question to others.

 

• Describe key events in your life (past, present and future).

• Talk about leisure events and activities.

• Personal relations. Meeting people. Telephone conversations. Relationships.

• Holidays, travelling and tourism.

• Describe houses, rooms. Talk about where you live.

• Work and training, working conditions, working abroad, looking for a job, CV. Fix meetings and appointments.

• Health and well-being, alternative medicine. Problems, accidents, mishaps. 

• Shopping, exchange, fair trade.

• Arts and culture. Ask and react to opinions

 

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
66	234	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	66	Language classes
Guided independent study	234	Consolidate class work by learning vocabulary and structures, and by reading, watching or listening to material from a wide range of sources in French. Prepare exercises and activities for class, write assignments and further develop a repertoire of effective language learning strategies.

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
6 formative tasks per year (grammar and vocabulary, writing, reading and listening comprehension)	Variable	1-5, 7	Written and oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
15	60	25

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
In class test	20	1.5 hours	1-5, 7	Written and oral
In-Class Listening Test	15	45 Minutes	2, 7	Written and oral
Written examination (centrally organised)	40	1.5 hours	1-5, 7	Written (upon request)
Oral Test	25	8 - 9 minutes	1, 3-7	Written Feedback (upon request)

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
In-class test, In-class listening test, Written exam	Written Exam	1-5, 7	Referral/deferral period
Oral test	Oral test	1, 3-7	Referral/deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Oral Test = 25%, Written Examination = 75%

The Re-Assessment Written Exam will include all the skills assessed by the In-Class Test, the In-class Listening Test, and the Written Exam. Nevertheless, students will only be expected to retake the sections they have been deferred/referred (ie. the skills covered by the In-Class Test, the In-class Listening Test, and/or the Written Exam). The same % of credit applies.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Alter EGO + A2 : Livre De L’élève + CD-Rom, by Annie Berthet, Emmanuelle Daill, Catherine Hugot, Véronique-M Kizirian, Monique WaendendriesPublisher: Hachette (4 Jun. 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-2011558121

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=6681

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Dictionary: Collins/Robert French Dictionary

Grammaire Progressive Du Français - Nouvelle Edition: Livre Intermédiaire 3e Edition + Cd-audio + Livre-web by Maïa Grégoire &Odile Thiévenaz

Publisher: Clé International (1 Sept. 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-2090381245

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

31/01/2017

Last revision date

31/01/2017

Key words search

French, intermediate