EU6294: Business French 1
| School | null |
| Department Code | null |
| Module Code | EU6294 |
| External Subject Code | R190 |
| Number of Credits | 20 |
| Level | L5 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Professor Gordon Cumming |
| Semester | Autumn Semester |
| Academic Year | 2013/4 |
Outline Description of Module
This module provides a practical introduction to the world of business in France. It focuses on key organisationssuch as companies and banks as well as important issues such as the euro and business ethics. It also offers valuable training in the preparation of French business letters, faxes, emails and memos.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
- display a basic knowledge and understanding of the organisation and workings of companies and banks, the advantages and disadvantages of the euro and the importance of business ethics.
- demonstrate the linguistic competence and powers of analysis with which to deal competently with most communication within the French business organisation
- show a capacity to work independently and in cooperation with other students
- show an ability to participate in discussion of key aspects of the French business world
- consider taking the diplôme de français professionnel Affaires B2 (DFP Affaires B2), a prestigious external examination set by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Please note, however, that you are only advised to take this external exam if you have followed both Business French I and II.
How the module will be delivered
There will be lectures and seminars totalling 20 hours, including in-depth revision classes at the end of the Semester, all of which are obligatory.
Lectures will provide the background knowledge of the French business world. This material will feed into seminars where students will probe more deeply into lecture topics and practise communicative skills such as letter-writing, translation and vocabulary exercises to apply and increase their knowledge of business French. Students are expected to complete homework and guided study ahead of seminar classes.There will be an induction session addressing the needs of year 2 students which will cover critical methods and study skills appropriate to the module.
Skills that will be practised and developed
- Lectures will develop the student’s capacity to absorb information, including through note-taking.
- Seminars will develop the capacity to deploy this information and apply it to texts drawn from the world of French business
- Seminars and coursework will enable students to develop their vocabulary, improve their writing skills in a range of areas (letters, prose, memos etc), improve their listening and to some extent their speaking skills in French
- Through coursework and examination students will demonstrate their knowledge of the world of French business
- Some students will also choose to go on to enhance their employability by taking the prestigious, internationally recognised examination (DFP Affaires B2) of the Paris Chamber of Commerce
- Other academic and key skills developed include research and organisational skills, communication and basic word-processing skills, intercultural awareness as well as interpersonal skills.
How the module will be assessed
Coursework: 30%
Exam (2 hours): 70%
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam - Autumn Semester | 70 | Business French I | 2 |
| Written Assessment | 30 | Business French I | N/A |
Syllabus content
Week 1: Introduction
Week 2: Les banques françaises
Week 3: Les banques françaises et la crise économique
Week 4 : Correspondance (fax, notes de service, CV)
Week 5 : Correspondance (lettre de motivation, lettre commerciale)
Week 6 : Reading Week
Week 7 : Les entreprises (classification, forme juridique)
Week 8 : Les entreprises (croissance, déclin et ethique des affaires)
Week 9 : Les achats
Week 10 : L’euro
Week 11 : Révisions
Essential Reading and Resource List
Prescribed Text
All students should possess a copy of the prescribed text and should familiarise themselves thoroughly with its contents.
Claude Le Goff: Le Nouveau French for Business (Didier), April 2000 edition
In addition, the following texts are useful. Those marked with an asterisk are particularly valuable.
Banques
R- J Berg: Parlons Affaires! (Harcourt Brace, 1999)
E. Cloose Le Français du Monde du Travail, pp.72-77
L Dahan and P Morel Maitrisez le français commercial en 40 questions (Langues Pour Tous,
2004), pp. 262-9
Penfornis, JL & Habert, L. Affaires.com (Paris, Cle, 2007)
Maclean, M. Economic Management and French Business (Palgrave, 2002), pp. 202-204
R. Crawshaw The European Business Environment: France (Thomson, 1997), pp. 95-100
Correspondance Commerciale
E. Cloose Le Français du Monde du Travail, pp.150-160 (Model letters)
M. Danilo Le français de la communication professionnelle (Paris, Clé, 1992) [& audio cassette]
M.O. Sanchez Macagno & Faire des affaires en français (Hachette, 1997), see Activites Lexicales
Lydia Corado* for CCIP style vocabulary exercises (pages 14, 26, 34-5, 46-7, 67, 74, 84, 108-
109, 117, 119-120, 127-8, 137, 14577
S. Williams French/ English Business Glossary (1997, extra copies on order)
J-L Penfornis Vocabulaire progressif du Français des affaires (Cle, 2004)
Entreprises
E. Cloose* Le Français du Monde du Travail (on order), pp.12-23
R- J Berg Parlons Affaires! (Harcourt Brace, 1999), pp.11-18 (forme juridique),
pp. 23-26 (croissance)
L Dahan and P Morel* Maitrisez le français commercial en 40 questions (Langues Pour Tous,
2004), pp. 156-161 (forme juridique), 270-2 (financement)
F. Delbourgo & P Taylor: French for Business Studies, (Longman, 1998, 2nd edition), pp. 149-155.
X. Richet Economie de l'Entreprise (Hachette, 2000), pp.9-15, 90-97
F. Berho & M-L Bordenave Economie (Nathan, 1992)
M Danilo & B Tauzin Le français de l'entreprise (Clé, 1990)
M Danilo et al Le français de l’entreprise: livret complémentaire (Clé, 1991)
Achats/ Moyens de Paiement
R-J Berg Parlons Affaires! (Harcourt Brace, 1999), pp.72-75
L Dahan and P Morel* Maitrisez le français commercial en 40 questions (Langues Pour Tous,
2004), pp212-3, 256-9
P. Bouhours Monnaie et Financement de l'Economie (Hachette, 2000)
L'Euro
L Dahan and P Morel Maitrisez le français commercial en 40 questions (Langues Pour Tous,
2004), pp.248-254
R-J Berg Parlons Affaires! (Harcourt Brace, 1999), pp.181-185
F. Delbourgo & P Taylor French for Business Studies, (Longman, 1998, 2nd edition), pp.66-69, pp72-3
E. Cloose* Le Français du Monde du Travail (2004, on order), pp. 32-39
L’Ethique des Affaires
J-L Penfornis Vocabulaire progressif du Français des affaires (Cle, 2004)
L Dahan and P Morel Maitrisez le français commercial en 40 questions (Langues Pour Tous, 2004)
Général
G Auger and C. Le Ninan Le français des affaires
J-P Bajard and C, Sibieude Les affaires en français
Comprehension Aurale (Chambre de Commerce)
For listening comprehension practice ahead of the Chambre de Commerce examination, see:
M. Danilo et al Le français de la communication professionnelle (Paris, Clé, 1992) (Ask at issue desk for accompanying audio-cassette)
Exercises on pages 30, 35, 36, 42, 49, 73, p.84-6, 93,95, 102, 109, 119
Presse et Internet
Le Mondeis available in electronic format via Nexis-UK (ask Library staff for help)
Students should also consult internet sites given in E. Cloose, Le Français du Monde du Travail (2004).
Point Communis a useful journal in the ASSL (2nd floor)
Business French Dictionaries
A. Stevenson Harrap's Business French Dictionary (Harrap, 2003)
Michel Peron et al: Le Robert Collins du Management Commercial, Financier, Economique
M. Chalmers & M. Pierquin Oxford Business French Dictionary (Oxford Uni. Press, 2002- electronic resource: www.oxfordreference.com/views/BOOKSEARCH.html?book=t109a)
Michel Marcheteau et al: Dictionnaire de l'Anglais Economique, Commercial et Financier (Presses Pocket)
Jean Binon et al