ML9621: French Beginners A1 Part 1

School Languages for All
Department Code MLANG
Module Code ML9621
External Subject Code 100321
Number of Credits 10
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Sian Edwards
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2018/9

Outline Description of Module

This module is designed for students who have no prior knowledge of French. This module aims to introduce you to French language and to provide you with a very basic range of simple expressions about personal details and needs of a concrete type.

This module is the first part of the preparation for CEFR A1.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  • Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
  • Introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has.
  • Interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

How the module will be delivered

All courses on the Languages for All programme are delivered on a hybrid mode, mixing face-to-face and virtual teaching. You will be expected to actively participate in role-plays, interactive activities and group discussions. Course material is accessible on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Learning Central, and should be cross-platform compatible.

18 contact hours – 2 hours per week of interactive language workshops.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Intellectual Skills:

  • Enhanced cognitive skills leading to innovation, creativity and problem solving.
  • Critical analysis applied to discourse, texts, images and events.
  • Advanced listening and reading skills: the ability to scan complex texts (including audio) for gist, to synthesise information and focus on salient points.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

  • Recognise familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.
  • Understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences;
  • Interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech; ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.
  •  Write in short and simple sentences.

Transferable Skills:

  • Ability to learn additional languages for personal/employment reasons.
  • Awareness of and sensitivity to diversity based on culture.
  • Ability to navigate and mediate between more than one culture to interpret meaning and intent beyond the purely linguistic.
  • Heightened literacy, textual analysis and oracy in mother tongue.
  • Presentation skills.
  • Ability to work cooperatively, as a member of a team or with a partner.
  • Problem solving and the ability to look at things from multiple perspectives.

How the module will be assessed

Written class test (30%) and course work (30%).  

Oral and aural continuous assessment (40%).  

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 15 Coursework 1 N/A
Written Assessment 15 Coursework 2 N/A
Oral/Aural Assessment 20 Speaking Assessment N/A
Oral/Aural Assessment 20 Listening Assessment N/A
Class Test 30 Class Test N/A

Syllabus content

  • Yourself and others (how to greet people; how to introduce yourself and ask/answer simple questions);
  • Friends and family (order snacks and drinks);
  • Things to do (talk about everyday activities; ask for/give directions; shopping for clothes, preferences).

Essential Reading and Resource List

Foundations French 1 (Palgrave Foundation Series Languages), 2016, 3rd Edition; D. Bissar, H Phillips, C. Tschirhart; Palgrave Macmillan; Basingstoke (Units 1-4). 

Background Reading and Resource List

Grammaire Progressive du Français, Niveau débutant, 2010, 2nd Edition ; M. Grégoire ; CLE International.

Preparation for DELF A1:

  • Réussir le DELF A1, 2010 ; B. Girardeau and N. Mous ; Didier.
  • Préparation à l'Examen Du Delf A1, 2006 ; C. Veltcheff, S. Hilton ; Hachette.

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