Module Identifier FR10740  
Module Title FRENCH LANGUAGE (BEGINNERS)  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Mr Kader Izri  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Other staff Mr Kader Izri, Mr Raphael F Gonggryp  
Mutually Exclusive FR19930, FR11220  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   2/week (written comprehension, grammar, translation into/from target language)  
  Practical   2/week (conversation and listening classes)  
  Other   Oral/aural classes via audio/visual material in Language Resource Centre  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2x2 Hours Written examination  50%
Semester Exam.25 Hours Oral Examination  10%
Semester Assessment Continuous assessment: Regular tests and translations 30%. Attendance, active contribution and performance in small groups 10%.40%
Supplementary Exam Written examination 1 x 3-hour written examination (unless ONLY the oral component is failed, in which case the suplementary exam will be an oral examination).100%

Learning outcomes

Students who have successfully completed this module should feel that they have a good introductory command of French across the four skills in the target language (reading, writing, speaking and listening) and should be able to proceed to take FR20130 or FR20010.

By the end of the module students will be able to:

1. demonstrate their interest in and understanding of the French language as a subject of study
2. display proficiency in the essential framework of French grammar and syntax
3. translate selected passages from and into French
4. use a range of linguistic structures, particularly those in more frequent general usage
5. communicate in written French at a standard appropriate to Level 1 beginners
6. produce summaries of material written in French
7. give their own insights into aspects of French society
8. use a good range of French vocabulary
9. respond with understanding to spoken French
10. make both supervised and independent use of the facilities available in the department: video, language laboratory, satellite television, web-based learning

Language modules have, as an integral part of their structure, regular homework assignments and class tests as well as end-of-year examinations. All assessment is designed to measure your progress against learning outcomes at the appropriate level.

Brief description

This module forms part of the core Level 1 programme in French and is the main language course in that year for students who do not have an 'A' level or equivalent in the language. It aims to introduce students to contemporary French, imparting all four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) and developing language awareness, and to bring students up to the standard which may enable them to proceed to Level 2.

Content

Students will develop proficiency in writing, listening, speaking and reading and will be introduced to the richness and diversity of the Francophone world. The two-semester programme will comprise the following themes:

Greetings, university life, personality description, accommodation, family, eating out, shopping, holidaying, travel & transport, media & communication, art, everyday life, the workplace, leisure, expressing an opinion, Francophonie.

Module Skills

Problem_solving Students will be expected to address and resolve various problems posed by the acqusition of a major European language  
Research skills Required to find, evaluate and use source materials. ICT, books, newspapers, magazines  
Communication Expected to communicate both orally (with tutor, between themselves and with French nationals studying at Aberystwyth) and in writing. Group work will be encouraged  
Improving own Learning and Performance Learners will be able to observe the improvement in their own competence on a weekly basis by showing the capacity to deal with challenging situations and activities  
Team work Organizational skills, time management can be achieved through group work thus preparing students for the workplace: agreeing ground rules and goals, planning actions and allocating tasks, checking on progress, cooperation, balancing own behaviour in team work  
Information Technology ICT is part and parcel of language learning: data searching, email, machine-translation  
Application of Number Reading and interpreting statistical data  
Personal Development and Career planning Students will acquire the skills which would enable them to become autonomous learners in a French university or in the working environment. Transferable skills are an element of this course  

Reading Lists

Books
** Should Be Purchased
Judith A. Muyskens & Alice C. Omaggio Hadley (2002) Rendez-vous, an invitation to French Sixth Edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education ISBN 0-07-24063-4

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4