French for Business (FLF3630)

StaffDr Helene Street - Convenor
Credit Value30
ECTS Value15
NQF Level6
Pre-requisitesCompletion of FLF3515/3530: French Advanced Two or equivalent
Co-requisitesNone
Duration of Module Term 1: 11 weeks; Term 2: 11 weeks;

Module aims

On completion of this module, you will have a level equivalent to C1/C1high (as Exit level) - Proficient User of the Common European Framework for language and a knowledge of French for the specific purpose of business, you will be able to:

  • Review and consolidate advanced structures and vocabulary of the target language, extending these to cover specifically vocational and business-oriented topics.
  • Develop the particular skills required to understand and use written and spoken French as used in general business contexts.
  • Understand the economic terms and concepts used in non-specialist but informed publications devoted to current business affairs

ILO: Module-specific skills

  • 1. Demonstrate a consistent grammatical control of complex language and structures of French
  • 2. Read, comprehend, question and summarise a wide range of demanding, longer written and aural texts in most registers on business-related topics in French, including articles and reports concerned with business issues in which the writers adopt particular attitudes and viewpoints
  • 3. Communicate confidently, proficiently and naturally in a range of business-related situations, both orally and in writing, and demonstrate the ability to research a specialist business topic, extracting and summarising key information from a range of written and spoken sources, and produce a written portfolio of material to a high professional standard

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

  • 4. Demonstrate proficient levels of autonomy in language learning and ability to research a project, with minimal direction from the teacher
  • 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, including a specialist dictionary, to consolidate your learning

ILO: Personal and key skills

  • 6. Make an oral presentation confidently and articulately on a business- related topic, expanding on and responding to requests for further information from others, and hold a job interview situation in French
  • 7. Work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team, reacting to situations as appropriate
  • 8. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign business culture

Syllabus plan

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

At this level, you are expected to:

  • Demonstrate a near native competence in the use of all proficient grammatical structures
  • Follow weekly French national and international business news and their global causes and consequences
  • However, there may be remedial revision/consolidation of some fossilised grammar inaccuracies as required

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following grammar/topics:

  • Remedial revision/consolidation of some fossilised grammar inaccuracies as required
  • Various aspects of French and Francophone business-related issues and debates such as:
    • Public Sector in the French Economy and economic sectors
    • Diversity of firms, who are the entrepreneurs? How to create a firm sample of major French firms?
    • Banking services credit
    • Business Interview, work in France/The labour market, which organisation and structure? Organisational chart, Rights of the employee, Unions in France/Strikes
    • Market study Marketing and advertising, Sales, selling abroad, economic intelligence, communication, distribution, ordering online, IT
    • Reading and writing an invoice, insurance, choosing the right insurance
    • Presenting and analysing figures
    • Stock Market
    • Firms and the environment 

Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as pair/group work and role playing, class debates and include the study of longer texts, oral development work and listening comprehension exercises.

You will be expected to spend time studying outside the class and we provide guidance, facilities and materials to help you develop your expertise as a proficient language learner.

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 Teaching 66Language classes
Guided Independent Study234Consolidate class work by learning business related 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 assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
6 formative tasks per year (grammar and vocabulary, writing, reading and listening comprehension) Variable1-8Written and oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
352540

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
In-class test (listening and text reduction)251.5 Hours1-5, 8Written feedback
Oral presentation1515-20 minutes1, 3-6, 8Written feedback
Oral test2512-13 minutes1, 3-6, 8Written feedback
Dossier35Consists of different components, including short summaries (1,500 words overall) and an essay (1,500 words) in the target language1-6, 8Written feedback
0
0

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
In-class test (listening and text reduction)Written examination1-5, 8Referral/Deferral period
Oral presentation, oral testOral presentation1, 3-6, 8Referral/Deferral period
DossierDossier1-6,8Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Oral Test = 40%, Dossier = 35%, Written exam = 25%

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

There is no coursebook for this module.  Please see ELE for recommended resources.

Recommended materials:

  • Dictionary: Collins/Robert French Dictionary or Oxford/Hachette French
  • Grammaire progressive du français - Nouvelle édition : Livre perfectionnement B2/C2 + 600 exercices, CD. 2nd edition by Eric pessan, Publisher: Cle international (May 2017), ISBN-13: 978-209038209

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

  • French for business section TV, newspaper and radio stations or shows – see recommendations of module convenor

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

2010

Last revision date

17/02/2023

Key words search

French, business