Module Identifier FR20130  
Module Title FRENCH LANGUAGE  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Mr Kader Izri  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Other staff Mr Kader Izri  
Pre-Requisite (Normally) Eligibility for entry to Level 2 French  
Mutually Exclusive FF20130  
Course delivery Other   60 Hours Contact Hours.  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam3 Hours written examination.  30%
Semester Assessment Oral Examination: 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.20%
Semester Assessment Continuous assessment: Written assignments - 20%; Oral - based on attendance, active contribution and performance in the oral class - 10%; Listening Comprehension - 20%.50%
Supplementary Exam3 Hours 1 x 3-hour examination (unless only the oral component is failed in which case the supplementary examination 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

Written language skills - including translation (into and out of French), linguistic registers, stylistic exercises, grammar revision. Acquisition of oral and aural skills, including conversation practice in French; presentation of prepared exposes in French; discussion and debate of topical issues.

This module consists of two weekly classes (see 1 and 2 below), and one fortnightly class (see 3 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 submitted during both semesters will go towards the mark for the module.

1. The first weekly hour, and those written assignments which derive from it, will be devoted to reading, writing and listening in French.   Work during and for this hour will be primarily grammatical translation into French, essential essay-writing skills, and reading comprehension. The aim is to train you in the difficult task of translating accurately a range of difficult English structures into the target language; to present a well-argued case; to encourage you to retrieve and synthesize information economically. emphasis is placed on your being able to work efficiently in the target language by developing skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking French. Some classes may be conducted in French, and you will be expected to participate in French,

2. The second 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.

3. The fortnightly hour will be devoted to contemporary aspects of France and French society studied through the audio-visual medium. Students will watch a documentary-style programme one week, before being split into smaller groups for follow-up language analysis and discussion of issues relevant to what has been shown. Some of the continuous assessment work will be based on group presentations in French.

Written work will be set regularly, and must be handed in on time: 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, and failure to hand in work as required will rapidly reduce your overall marks on the module.

Listening comprehension ( a skill of considerable importance for the Intercalary Year) will be practised from time to time 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.

Reading Lists

Books
Jubb, M. and Rouxeville, A. French Grammar in Context
Carpenter, C. and Broady, E. (2000) Savoir-Faire: an Advanced French Course (Student's Book) Routledge 0-415-13090-5

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5