Module LXN-1021:
Beginners' French

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media

10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Mr Ruben Chapela-Orri

Overall aims and purpose

  1. To introduce students to the basic structures of the language.
  2. 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

  1. Understand and respond orally to basic questions

  2. Communicate orally on basic topics

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
EXAM EXAM WK10

Written exam assessing the grammar points covered in the module. The questions will be in writing and will combine exercises such as fill in the gaps, verb conjugation, vocabulary, reading comprehension and sentence writing.

 70
ORAL Oral exam Week 5

5 minutes presentation on a basic topic (e.g. talking about oneself) + 5 minutes of questions

 30

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 sensitevely 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.html

Reading 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