Module Information

Module Identifier

FR20310

Module Title

LANGUAGE OF BUSINESS 1

Academic Year

2012/2013

Co-ordinator

Mr Kader Izri

Semester

Semester 1

Co-Requisite

FR20130

Pre-Requisite

(Normally) Eligibility for entry to Level 2 French.

Course Delivery

Delivery Type	Delivery length / details
Lecture	10 Lectures per semester
Seminars / Tutorials	4 seminars per semester
Workload Breakdown	10 hours of formal tuition; 25 hours preparation for seminars; 22 hours composing and writing c/a assessments; 57 hours of general reading and private study.

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	1 x 10-minute oral presentation in French to show knowledge of a chosen theme taught in the module. The content of the oral presentation must show new material and not repeat material covered in the lectures and seminars. The mark of the essay will be based on content and language @ 50% each.	25%
Semester Assessment	1 X 1,000-word essay in French to show knowledge of a chosen theme taught in the module. The content of the essay must show new material and not repeat material covered in the lectures and seminars. The mark of the essay will be based on content and language @ 50% each.	25%
Semester Assessment	2 translations into English @ 25% each.	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Resubmit or re-sit failed elements and/or make good any missing elements.	100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Acquire a basic stock of commercial and business French terminology and know the equivalents in English
2. Analyse in a critical manner French issues in the field of business and economics
3. Develop sophisticated written structures and terminology and the skills for writing essays in French
4. Develop sophisticated oral structures and the skills for making oral presentations in French
5. Translate business and commercial texts from French into English with a high degree of fluency recognising the special requirements of such translations
6. Be familiar with various aspects of French economic life
7. Feel more comfortable in commercial and business situations in French, whether dealing with them orally or in writing
8. Understand a commercial audio-video file and answer oral and written questions
9. Be well prepared to continue with their study of this field during their Year Abroad, find a suitable Year Abroad dissertation title and outline and follow business-related lectures in a French university
10. Have a grasp of the French business environment and the skills which are required to be competitive in the French employment market via the study of particular themes, translations, writing a CV and a covering letter in French
11. Be ready to embark on the advanced course on the same subject during their fourth year

Brief description

This module which is delivered through the medium of French is designed as an introduction to an area of language which has obvious practical application. It does not, however, lead to the award of any kind of diploma. Students will be expected to familiarise themselves with various aspects of the economic and business life of France and some francophone countries such as Belgium, Switzerland and Québec. The material covers a variety of important commercial areas such as the wine industry, the French cinema industry, what makes France the first destination in the world for tourists, employment and banking.
The main emphasis will fall on writing and speaking in sophisticated French and the acquisition of the ability to translate from French into English. The course will provide the students with a broad linguistic basis on which to build any future study of a more commercial nature.
The continuous assessment will be in the target language. Content and language in the continuous assessment (oral and written) will be equally weighted 50% each.

Aims

This module should enable students to have a grasp of the French business environment and the skills which are required to be competitive in the French employment market via the study of particular themes, translations, writing a CV and a covering letter in French and being prepared towards the Year Abroad. This module is open to all students but it is of particular relevance to students of Management and Business, Tourism, Law and International Politics. In addition this module will help students greatly in preparing their Year Abroad and finding a suitable Year Abroad dissertation title.

Content

The material covers a variety of perspectives on business and commercial issues. The following list is indicative of some of the areas to be covered:
LECTURES:
1. General lecture on the various French industry sectors
2. Why is France an attractive country for businessmen and investors?
3. What makes France the number-one tourist destination in the world?
4. The wine industry
5. The film industry
6. Travelling and TGV (train à grande vitesse)
7. Intercultural awareness
8. Export and international business
9. Understanding the labour market in France: applying for jobs (job adverts, CVs, covering letters)
10. Professional life in France, Belgium and Québec
SEMINARS:
1. Appraisal on the first 4 topics
2. Presentation of research work by students
3. Oral presentations of particular topics arising from previous study
4. Revision and feedback

Module Skills

Skills Type	Skills details
Application of Number	Students will be taught the differences between writing numbers in French and English, to analyse statistical data and produce research findings which contain numbers, figures, etc.
Communication	Students will be expected to communicate in seminars and to present group findings, as well as to write at an appropriate level in assignments.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Students will be able to observe the improvement in their own competence in handling high-level information and data.
Information Technology	Some data which will be discussed is available on-line. Students will be taught how to select suitable and reliable on-line sources of information.
Personal Development and Career planning	Through this module, students are encouraged to plan for their Year Abroad (how to look for a job in France, write a CV and a covering letter in French, have a job interview in French). These skills also help students to plan ahead for their future careers.
Problem solving	Students will be expected to address and resolve various problems posed by the comparative study of statistical and economic data.
Research skills	Students will be required to find, analyse and use source materials (primary and secondary).
Subject Specific Skills	Studetns will be taught properly how to approach and understand the French world of business.
Team work	Students will be expected to work in groups, to present (jointly) group findings to seminars, and to develop team skills in dividing up work and organising it.

Reading List

Should Be Purchased
Penfornis, Jean-Luc Le Vocabulaire progressif du Français des Affaires Clé International Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5