ML6283: The World & Language of Business (French)

School French
Department Code MLANG
Module Code ML6283
External Subject Code 100321
Number of Credits 30
Level L5
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Professor Gordon Cumming
Semester Double Semester
Academic Year 2022/3

Outline Description of Module

This module provides a practical introduction to the world of business in a French language-speaking country. It focuses on key organisations such as banks and companies as well as important issues such as Brexit, the rise of Uber, business ethics, advertising, marketing, exporting and globalisation. It introduces you to a wide range of commercial vocabulary in French and also offers valuable training in the preparation of business correspondence, job applications and reports in the French language.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  1. Critically assess the organisation and workings of companies and banks as well as the implications of ‘Brexit’ for the French business world
  2. Deal competently with most forms of communication (letters, emails, reports, job applications, portfolios), with key vocabulary and core documentation within a French business organisation
  3. Articulate accurate verbal arguments and responses in French during language exercises and discussions about the French business world
  4. Present written arguments, at the appropriate linguistic level, in a logical and coherent manner in relation to different aspects of the French business world

How the module will be delivered

The module will be delivered through a range of interactive teaching sessions supplemented by online teaching and learning activities and materials – and may include, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year – and may be, in part, determined by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.  

You will be expected to engage in substantial independent study outside the classroom. You will be guided in this respect by the learning materials provided and related reading lists.

Skills that will be practised and developed

  • Lecture-style learning activities will develop your 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 business in French speaking countries as well as regularly practising the French language;
  • Seminars and coursework will enable you to develop your vocabulary, improve your writing skills in a range of areas (letters, emails, reports, essays, language portfolios etc.), and enhance your listening and speaking in French;
  • Through a wide range of summative coursework, you will demonstrate your knowledge of the world of business in France;
  • You will also hone other academic and key skills including research and organisational skills, communication and basic word-processing skills, intercultural awareness as well as interpersonal, negotiation and team-working skills.

How the module will be assessed

The method(s) of assessing the learning outcomes for this module are set out in the Assessment Table, which also contains the weightings of each assessment component.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR RE-ASSESSMENT

You may be required to resit one or more of the assessments in this module if you fail the module. The Examination Board will advise you which assessments you need to resit during the August resit period. Resit assessments that are not supported by extenuating circumstances will be capped at the pass mark applicable to your programme.

MAPPING OF ASSESSMENTS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Assignments 1 assesses ILO 2,4

Assignment 2 assesses ILO 1,4

Assignment 3 assesses ILO 1,2,3

Portfolio/report assesses ILO 1,2,4

 

 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 10 French Language-Related Exercises 1 N/A
Written Assessment 20 French Language-Related Exercises 2 N/A
Class Test 10 Test On Sem 1 Work N/A
Written Assessment 60 Essay/Report In French N/A

Syllabus content

Indicative Syllabus

The World and Language of Business French will seek to cover the following topics:

  • Week 1: Introduction 
  • Week 2: Les banques françaises
  • Week 3: Les banques françaises et la crise économique
  • Week 4: La correspondance
  • Week 5: La correspondance
  • Week 6: Reading Week
  • Week 7: Les avantages du « Brexit »
  • Week 8: Les inconvénients du « Brexit »
  • Week 9: Les entreprises (classification, forme juridique)
  • Week 10: Les entreprises (croissance et éthique des affaires) 
  • Week 11: Révisions

Semester S

Les échanges commerciaux

  • Week 1: L’Ubérisation
  • Week 2: Les Ventes
  • Week 3: Le commerce électronique

La commercialisation

  • Week 4: Le marketing
  • Week 5 (or week 6): Study Skills
  • Week 6:  La publicité

Les Transports, Les Exportations et l’Internationalisation …

  • Week 7 :  Les transports
  • Week 8 : Les incoterms
  • Week 9 :  Import/ Export
  • Week 10 :  La mondialisation/ L’internationalisation
  • Week 11 : Révisions

Copyright Cardiff University. Registered charity no. 1136855