Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminars / Tutorials | 3 hours per week; 1 hour per fortnight |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | The oral Examination takes the form of a 20-minute interview with the oral class tutor. During this interview the candidate will be asked: (a) to offer a brief presentation (maximum 5-7 minutes), in French, on a selected topic and (b) to engage in a general conversation, arising in the first instance from one of the 6-8 topics covered during the second-year oral classes. Only one topic will be provided per candidate. Candidates thus need to be prepared to discuss a wide range of topics. The presentation topic will be provided to the candidate 20 minutes before the examination (exact arrangements will be on the notice-board well before the examination). Candidates are reminded that they are not allowed to read from a script; they may not bring extensive notes to the examination (notes will be collected at the end of the examination); they must not deliver a previously learnt speech. The presentation should lead into (and be constructed so as to lead into) a conversation and further discussion of the topic. A more general conversation will follow. Oral Examinations: | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | 50%: Ten written assignments, five of them under exam conditions (those taken under exam conditions counting twice as much as the others), 10%: attendance, active contribution and performance in small groups, 20%: listening comprehension (2 tests) | 80% |
| Supplementary Exam | 3 Hours 1 x 3-hour written examination (unless ONLY the oral component is failed, in which case the supplementary exam will be an oral examination). | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, if you have made satisfactory progress, you will be able to:
- identify your own improvement in French vocabulary and grammatical knowledge in written - and spoken language
- differentiate between major stylistic levels of French
- recognise and understand different linguistic registers in French
- translate selected French passages showing idiomatic, authentic style and grammatical usage
- present independently prepared material in spoken or written French
- discuss and debate topical issues in French
- summarise in your own words selected pieces of written or spoken French
- give your own insights into contemporary French life and culture
- take part in role-plays in French
- enter into conversation in French with confidence in your ability to express youself
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
A weekly class, which utilises the course book and other selected material, seeks to develop expression by discussion and by the completion of exercises that include gap-filling description and oral commentary, while the written assignments for this class comprise comprehension, precis, essay writing and translation from French. This is complemented by a fortnightly class which is primarily devoted to translation into French and in which accuracy is stressed. Students will have several written assignments and are required to do assessed work regularly on CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) in the Language Laboratory.
Listening comprehension (a skill of considerable importance for the Year Abroad) will be practised weekly during the year in class. It 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 time (e.g. in the language laboratories): this is a skill where practise does indeed make perfect.
Note: Students are expected to obtain a card key for access after 5pm to the Language Laboratory and computer terminals.
In the weekly oral class and the debate/discussion meetings students are required to offer presentations in French on given topics and are expected to participate actively in role play games and discussions relating to contemporary issues.
Reading List
Should Be PurchasedDollez, Catherine & Pons, Sylvie (2009) Alter ego 4, Méthode de français Niveau B2 Hachette Primo search Hawkins, Roger & Towell, Richard (2010) French Grammar and Usage 3rd edition Hodder Education Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5