BA Film Studies and French / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
French Language 4

Course unit fact file
Unit code FREN51040
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This unit studies the French language in context using a variety of written and spoken materials to achieve its aims.  It is divided into two weekly integrated skills classes (1 x 2hr, 1 x 1hr) and a guided independent learning programme.  

A range of topics relating to contemporary France and Francophone cultures will be covered through the study of a wide range of stimulus materials.    

Written production includes the CV and formal letter writing, the discursive essay, targeted grammar-translation into French. Self-correction techniques (including dictionary skills) are an integral part of the module. 

Oral skills include pronunciation, role-play, aural comprehension exercises, debating and presentations. 

The guided independent learning programme encourages students to build up a portfolio of personal weekly tasks, which is submitted at the end of each semester.   

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
French Language 2 FREN51022 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

This course is designed to help students develop their competencies in spoken and written French, by means of language exercises, varied linguistic materials, and French grammar. 

It aims to provide additional linguistic, cultural and practical knowledge for post-beginners students in preparation for spending time working or studying in a French speaking country.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students will be able to perform at Level B1+/B2 of the Common European Framework (CEF). Assuming that all classes have been attended, coursework completed and a considerable amount of private study undertaken students will be able to: 

Knowledge and understanding

  • Understand and deploy the structures and registers of French as well as major pragmatic aspects pertinent at this level of study; 

  • Show knowledge and understanding of aspects of the culture and society of France and of la francophonie through study of a wide range of media, including the press, business, cinema, music and literary extracts. 

  • Gain broader understanding of the cultures of working, studying and living in a French-speaking environment 

Intellectual skills

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate an understanding of a range of social, cultural, intellectual, practical and professional issues in France and the French speaking world, as reflected in the materials studied; 

  • Analyse and interpret acquired information and synthesise it as knowledge; 

  • Reason in a coherent and self-reflective manner. 

Practical skills

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate an understanding of a wide variety of both written and spoken French stimulus materials; 

  • Write idiomatic French, showing awareness of stylistic and structural differences between French and English appropriate for this level of study; 

  • Write grammatically accurate French, showing precise knowledge of the aspects of grammar covered in seminars and by Independent Learning Programme; 

  • Speak with a degree of fluency and spontaneity appropriate for this level of study, and take an active part in discussion on a range of topics;  

  • Communicate effectively with French-speakers in a work or study context; 

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the basis of pronunciation in French; 

  • Deliver structured presentations in French 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

  • Work effectively with peers, both inside and outside the classroom; 

  • Take responsibility for their own learning of French through independent learning and self-reflection as well as through the use of available resources via the Language Centre, the Internet and the Blackboard virtual learning environment; 

  • Work independently to produce a portfolio, showing the ability to self-manage, take the initiative and make decisions; 

  • Use information technology effectively and appropriately; 

  • Understand more fully the nature and extent of cultural diversity. 

Employability skills

Other
Formal presentation skills, written and oral communication skills including CV and covering letter, \translation; team-work; leadership; negotiation skills; research skills, problem-solving; adaptability; decision-making; time management; initiative; self-discipline; organization; independent learning skills; self-reflection; action planning; oral skills; self-confidence; IT skills.

Assessment methods

Assessment Task:

Compétences écrites - 60% overall

1x Targeted Prose Examination (Sem 1) - 20%

1x Written Examination (Sem 2) - 40%

Compétences orales - 30% overall

1x Aural Comprehension (Sem 2) - 15%

1x Oral Examination (Sem 2) - 15%

Dossier Submission - 10% overall

End of Sem 1 - 5%

End of Sem 2 - 5%

Feedback methods

  • In-class comments made during discussion /following presentation activities regarding the relevance and linguistic quality of student responses and participation. 

  • Written comments on non-assessed coursework plus face-to-face discussion if desired. All written exercises are normally returned within two weeks of the submission date (during semester time) and in time for corrections to be applied to assessed exercises. 

Recommended reading

Recommended texts: 

  • A reference grammar, such as T. Thacker and C. d’Angelo, Essentiel French Grammar, (London and New York, Routledge, 2013 

  • A verb book, such as the Bescherelle: La conjugaison pour tous. 2006. Paris: Hatier  

  • A good bilingual dictionary (such as the Collins Robert French Dictionary or the Oxford Hachette French dictionary) 

  • A good monolingual dictionary (such as the Petit Robert or the Dictionnaire Hachette encyclopédique 

  • I. Chollet and J-M Robert, Les verbes et leurs prépositions (CLE International, 2007). 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Seminars 66
Independent study hours
Independent study 128

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Annie Morton Unit coordinator

Additional notes

This module must be passed with a minimum overall mark of 40% in order to progress to the next year of study. 

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