French Language (MLF1001)

StaffDr Adam Horsley - Convenor
Dr Damien Gaucher - Convenor
Credit Value30
ECTS Value15
NQF Level4
Pre-requisitesA-level French or equivalent
Co-requisitesNone
Duration of Module Term 1: 11 weeks; Term 2: 11 weeks;

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 ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
882120

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching22Plenary lecture: Explanation and practice of grammar
Scheduled Learning and Teaching22Anglophone seminar: Grammar consolidation and discussion; linguistic study of a short novel or literary text; translation into English
Scheduled Learning and Teaching22Francophone seminar: Reading comprehension; acquisition of vocabulary and cultural knowledge; translation into French
Scheduled Learning and Teaching22Oral class: Oral debate and discussion
Guided independent Study212Private study

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Up to 6 formative tasks (e.g. translation; written response to reading comprehension; composition; dictation, listening comprehension; reading comprehension)Variable1-11Written and oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
503020

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Written examination301.5 hours1-4, 6-8, 10Written and oral feedback
Listening comprehension10Up to 1 hour2-3, 6-8, 10-11Written and oral feedback
Portfolio40As described on the ELE page1-11Written and oral feedback
Oral exam20Up to 20 minutes1-3, 5-9Written and oral 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
Written examinationWritten examination1-4, 6-8, 10Referral/Deferral period
Listening comprehensionListening comprehension2-3, 6-8, 10-11Referral/Deferral period
PortfolioVariable2, 4-9Referral/Deferral period
Oral examOral exam1-4, 6-8Referral/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,Ã?¢ï¿½Ã?¯French Grammar in Context Fifth EditionÃ?¢ï¿½Ã?¯(Routledge, 2014). Please ensure you purchase theÃ?¢ï¿½Ã?¯Fifth Edition 

  • A bilingual dictionary, e.g. Collins-Robert. 

  • A monolingual dictionary, e.g. Larousse or theÃ?¢ï¿½Ã?¯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