The 3-hour course enables students to build on the French language skills they have acquired at A-level. It provides an understanding of the main rules of French grammar and helps students to improve their oral expression and aural comprehension. The course also enables students to develop their writing skills through a range of exercises including résumés and essays. The oral and aural skills are practiced through a varied pool of audio-video material, websites, films and computer programmes. Classes are taught in IT rooms with language laboratories or in rooms with multi-media equipment. Students also study contemporary French language through a short novel: an adaptation of Hugo's Les Misérables and a portfolio of up-to-date texts on French society. Students enrolled on this module subscribe to a series of regular podcasts which they can download on their smartphones or computers. The podcasts provide an introduction to the following week’s classes and initial reflection on the topic to be covered in class. The emphasis in on progressive language learning, with a heavy emphasis on continuous assessment.

The overall aim of this module is to consolidate and develop the oral, aural, and written skills that the student has acquired when preparing for A Level.  At the end of this module students shall be able to;

(i) understand the meaning of texts and various aspects of language work;

(ii) transform texts of different registers via résumé;

(iii) re-use words and structures encountered in texts;

(iv) write personally and discursively;

(v) communicate effectively in different oral situations;

(vi) show listening skills by responding to a number of oral or audio-visual stimuli;

(vii) employ a wide range of grammatical structures accurately in both written and oral French;

(viii) understand  and apply some key phonetic principles for French.

Weekly language classes (3 hrs; same group) covering grammar syllabus, reading/aural comprehension, expression exercises, discussion of texts, novel analysis, news reading/listening, oral presentations, role plays and practice of phonetics.  

Progressive language work throughout the year.  All aspects of language learning are covered in groups of around 15 students.  All students are strongly advised to watch satellite TV regularly and read as much French as possible in their own time.  They are also expected to produce written exercises regularly and work independently to consolidate vocabulary, grammar and syntax.  Students will be using a variety of audio-video material, websites and films via Learning Central, both in class and as part of their independent study. Students will be required to complete regular grammar tests online. Feedback for these will be given online and in class.

The opportunity for reassessment in this module

Students will be permitted to resit the module during the August resit period for a maximum of 40%.

This will take the form of a two-hour written examination.

-Summarising key ideas using own words and style;

-Discursive writing in French;

-Other writing skills;

-All key French grammar notions will be covered in this Year 1 language course;

-Reading of one short novel (to be chosen according to students’ feedback); and

-Studying of French recent films.

M. Jubb, Upgrade your French (Hodder Arnold, 2007)

None given.