Module LXN-1021:
Beginners' French
Module Facts
Run by School of Arts, Culture and Language
10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits
Semester 1
Organiser: Mr Ruben Chapela-Orri
Overall aims and purpose
- To introduce students to the basic structures of the language.
- To enable students to develop basic oral skills.
Course content
This module runs during the first semester and is aimed at absolute beginners. The course is based on a communicative approach and helps students to develop all the key language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. After each of the contact hours, students are expected to spend at least 30 minutes of self-study to revise and consolidate what they have learned in class.
Textbook: Foundations French 1, Palgrave Foundations Series Languages (3rd edn), by Dounia Bissar, Helen Phillips, Cécile Tschirhart (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016)
By the end of this course students will reach level A1 Breakthrough as defined by the Common European Framework, Language Assessment Scales.*
- Level One: Competent in a limited range of predictable and simple language tasks, using mainly set expressions and simple combinations of these. Capable of some rehearsed grammatical manipulations. This applies to all the 4 language skills: speaking, reading, listening and writing.
Assessment Criteria
threshold
40-49%: For the award of credit, students should demonstrate a satisfactory comprehension of the various grammatical areas studied and an ability to implement them in specific situations at a basic level.
good
50-69%: For the award of higher grades, students should demonstrate a solid comprehension of the various grammatical areas studied and an ability to implement them in specific situations.
excellent
70+%: For the award of the highest grade, students should demonstrate a detailed comprehension of the various grammatical areas studied and an ability to implement them confidently in specific situations.
Learning outcomes
-
Understand and respond orally to basic questions
-
Communicate orally on basic topics
-
An understanding of the following topics and functions: - Talking about oneself and others: family; daily routine; preferences; likes/dislikes; hobbies and free time (including travel and means of transport).- - Asking and answering questions about jobs. - Ordering food and drinks. - Asking for/Giving directions. - Counting up to 100. - Colours. - Days of the week/part of the day.
-
An understanding of the following grammar: - Nouns - Adjectives (including possessive adjectives) - Subject pronouns - Definite and indefinite articles - Adverbs of frequency - Some common prepositions - The present tense of all regular verbs and some irregular ones - The imperative.
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
One 5-min recorded video | 50.00 | ||
One written assignment | 50.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Private study | Students will be given homework each week to complete. They will also prepare for two exams. |
80 |
Seminar | Two contact hours per week for 10 weeks |
20 |
Transferable skills
- Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
- Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
Subject specific skills
- The ability to extract and synthesise key information from written and spoken sources in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4, 5.14)
- Sensitivity to and analysis of grammar and syntax in the target language, as well as basic morphology and phonology. (Benchmark statement 5.8, and 5.9)
- Basic reading and listening skills in the target language as well as vocabulary acquisition. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4, 5.7, and 5.10)
- The ability to make effective use of notes and to carry out independent study. (Benchmark statement 5.15)
- Develop verbal communication skills in the target language through group work and class discussions. (Benchmark statement 5.8)
- The ability to read, understand, translate, and write short texts in the target language (benchmark statement 5.13, 5.14, 5.15 and 5.16)
Resources
Resource implications for students
Students have to purchase the textbook.
Talis Reading list
http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/lxn-1021.htmlReading list
Textbook: Foundations French 1, Palgrave Foundations Series Languages (3rd edn), by Dounia Bissar, Helen Phillips, Cécile Tschirhart (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016)
Courses including this module
Compulsory in courses:
- R91F: BA French, German & Spanish [with Foundation Year] year 0 (BA/FGS4#F)
Optional in courses:
- QQCF: BA English Language & English Lit [with Foundation Year] year 0 (BA/ELLITF)
- V10F: BA History [with Foundation Year] year 0 (BA/HF)
- P30F: BA Media Studies [with Foundation Year] year 0 (BA/MSF)
- W30F: BA Music [with Foundation Year] year 0 (BA/MUSF)
- L20F: BA Politics [with Foundation Year] year 0 (BA/POLF)
- L30F: BA Sociology [with Foundation Year] year 0 (BA/SF)
- L40F: BA Social Policy [with Foundation Year] year 0 (BA/SOCPOLF)
- L30P: BA Sociology with Placement Year year 0 (BA/SOP)
- W32F: BMus Music [with Foundation Year] year 0 (BMUS/MUSF)