ML6197: French for Beginners

School French
Department Code MLANG
Module Code ML6197
External Subject Code R110
Number of Credits 10
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader MS Nadia Nebot
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2014/5

Outline Description of Module

This Double module will enable students to acquire oral, aural, reading and writing skills in modern French; it is the first stage of a programme enabling students to follow careers involving the use of French at a high level. The module provides an introduction to the grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation of the French language and to the cultural context in which it is used.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

·         Understand basic spoken language dealing with everyday matters.

·         Engage with a degree of grammatical correctness and some spontaneity in conversations relating to everyday topics, and give simple presentations on some specialised topics.

·         Extract data and ideas from media texts of general interest with the support of the dictionary.

·         Transfer simple texts from English into French and from French into English.

·         Write coherent texts in a limited range of registers on everyday topics.

·         Organise and express facts and concepts clearly in the target language.

·         Read, understand and speak French comfortably to the level of A2/B1 of the European Framework of Reference

How the module will be delivered

Teaching, learning and assessment are designed to enable students to achieve the learning outcomes described above. While part of any class session is likely to involve direct teaching, the emphasis is on student participation and students will be expected to take part actively in discussion and in tasks such as small group and pair work, role play, and individual or group presentations.

The module will be delivered via language seminars:

 4 hours contact per week to include:

-       2 hours of French grammar and relevant exercises

-       1 hour of aural/oral activities

-       1 hour of reading comprehension/translation

Students will be expected to spend time studying outside the class in order to consolidate the class work.

Students will be expected to read, watch and/or listen to material in the target language.

Skills that will be practised and developed

· Academic and key skills developed include learning, research and organisational skills; communication and IT skills; intercultural awareness and interpersonal skills.

How the module will be assessed

Type of assessment

%Contribution

Title

Duration
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment

Summative

80%

Continuous assessment: 

 

 

 

 

language assignment 1 (20%)

 

Sem 1 or 2

 

 

language assignment 2 (20%)

 

Sem 1 or 2

 

 

language assignment 3 (20%)

 

Sem 1 or 2

 

 

language assignment 4 (20%)

 

Sem 1 or 2

 

20%

Oral examination

 

Sem 1 or 2

The opportunity for reassessment in this module

Students will be able to submit a coursework (100%)

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 20 Language Assignment 1 N/A
Written Assessment 20 Language Assignment 2 N/A
Written Assessment 20 Language Assignment 3 N/A
Written Assessment 20 Language Assignment 4 N/A
Oral/Aural Assessment 20 Oral Examination N/A

Syllabus content

This module covers the grammar and vocabulary to successfully communicate at level A1/ A2 on everyday situations and topics.

Essential Reading and Resource List

·         Beeching, K., Fontaine Lewis, A: French 1, Palgrave foundations 2nd edition. Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.This coursebook is used as an aid to bring students to the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (or equivalent) during Semester 1.

·         Crocker Coffman, Mary, Schaum’s Outline of French Grammar, 5th edition. Schaum’s Series, 2009.

·         De Roussy de Sales, R: Easy French Reader, Easy Reader Series, 2nd edition, 2003

·         During the 2nd semester more complex texts taken from various sources will be introduced thus enabling the students to further develop their oral and written comprehension and expression skills, attaining a level close to A2/ B1 threshold. 

Background Reading and Resource List

None given.


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