Module Information

This module consists of THREE weekly classes (see 1, 2 and 3 below), and one fortnightly class (see 4 below). The module is "thin", that is, it will only be examined at the end of the second semester. There will be no formal examination at the end of the first semester in either the written language or in oral/aural work. Needless to say, assessed work completed during both semesters will go towards the mark for the module.

1. The first weekly hour will be chiefly devoted to reading and writing French. The basis will be a course book, Campus 4, methode de francais, which offers a wide variety of authentic materials pertaining to aspects of French life and culture. The aim is to consolidate skills developed in Levels 1 and 2, as well as during the Year Abroad, to understand and manipulate French with increasing fluency and confidence in class work which will focus on textual analysis, essay-writing, report-writing and precis techniques.

2. The second weekly hour will be devoted to translation from and into French (version and theme respectively). The register of the texts chosen will tend to be modern literary and professional. The constraints imposed by the requirement to remain faithful to the original text mean that this exercise is perhaps the most rigorous and demanding test of your capacity to manipulate French, and one of the better ways to highlight and explore, at an advanced level, the grammatical and structural complexities of the language. Translation is the skill which you are most likely to need in any future employment.

3. The third weekly hour is a conversation class with a native-speaker. You will be expected to prepare material for these classes and your success in them depends very much on your active participation.

4. The fortnightly hour will be spent primarily on audiovisual materials, on aural comprehension, and on students' presentation of work. During this class, a number of assessed exercises will be carried out. These will include: oral, presentations of prepared topics; responses to topical media information; formal tests under examination conditions; set exercises which will be marked and discussed in class; listening comprehension, etc.

Written work will be set from time to time, and must be handed in by the deadlines stipulated: your tutor, like you, works to a demanding timetable and will not be able to accommodate late submission of work. Marks for assessed work will go towards your degree result, so that failure to hand in work as required (and/or to attend classes where assessment takes place) will rapidly reduce your overall marks on the module. It is your responsibility to attend (should you for any reason miss them); it is your responsibility to catch up any missed work.

Continuous assessment for this module will take the form (for the predominantly 'written' components) of a variety of exercises, 12 in total over the year, all of which will count. Many of these assignments will be carried out in or directly arising from class work such as: unseen translations; report-writing; responses to topical news items (in broadcast, print or internet media), group presentations, etc. There will be some assignments to be completed at home in the traditional manner, or within a limited time (akin to 'take-away' examinations). The continuous component of the module plays a substantial role in determining the final mark and non-submission of assignments (or non-attendance of classes where you are assessed) will rapidly have an impact on your marks.

Listening comprehension will be practised from time to time during the year, and will be assessed by tests which will contribute 20% of the total module marks. You are expected and strongly advised to practise listening comprehension in your own time (e.g. in the Language Laboratories).

Dictionaries - You will need as a minimum (if you do not already have one) a good, one-volume bilingual dictionary. Recommended dictionaries are the