Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminars / Tutorials | 4 hours per week |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 20%: 8 written assignments, 4 of them under exam conditions (those taken under exam conditions counting twice as much as the others); 10%: listening comprehension (4 tests); 10%: oral (4 marks based on attendance, active contribution and performance in small oral groups). | 40% |
| Semester Exam | .15 Hours The oral Examination takes the form of a 15-minute interview with one member of staff. During this interview the candidate will be asked: (a) to offer a brief presentation (maximum 5-7 minutes) in the target language on a selected topic and (b) to engage in a general conversation arising in the first instance from the presentation itself. Some weeks before the oral exam, students will be provided with four topics taken from the topics covered during the oral classes throughout the year. They will need to prepare all four of these topics as only one of them will be given to the student in the exam. The final exam topic will be provided to the candidate at the beginning of the examination. There will be no period of preparation time immediately beforehand. Candidates are reminded that they are not allowed to read from a script and are not allowed to bring any notes into the examination room; 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. | 10% |
| Semester Exam | 3 Hours written examination in semester 2 | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 3 Hours If the module has been failed, the supplementary exam will consist of a 3-hour written examination which will count for 100%. If the student has failed the oral exam but has a passing average without the oral exam being taken into consideration, the supplementary exam will consist of an oral examination only (same format as in May/June). The mark of this supplementary oral exam will be integrated into the final mark. | 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 FR22020.
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
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
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Reading and interpreting statistical data |
| 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 |
| Information Technology | ICT is part and parcel of language learning: data searching, email, machine-translation |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Reading List
Should Be PurchasedDubois, Anne-Lyse; Tauzin, Beatrice (2013) Objectif Express 1 Le monde professionnel en francais 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 4