Module LZF-1003:
French for Beginners I

Module Facts

Run by School of Arts, Culture and Language

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Jonathan Lewis

Overall aims and purpose

  1. To acquire an understanding of basic French grammar.
  2. To develop a competence in listening to and understanding spoken French in basic communicative contexts.
  3. To acquire and develop basic oral and written skills in French.
  4. Develop ability to read, understand and create basic texts in French.
  5. Vocabulary acquisition.

Students on this module will be working towards achieving B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Course content

The module is devised to suit 'ab initio' and post-GCSE students of French and focuses on the development of basic speaking, listening and written communicative skills.

The module involves an introduction to and [in the case of those with GCSE knowledge of the language] a revision of key areas of grammar.

Students will acquire general vocabulary and key expressions relating to a variety of topics, in part through role-play situations. Using appropriate audio/visual aids, students will also be introduced to modern and contemporary French culture and society.

Key texts:

Action Grammaire! 3rd edition by Phil Turk & Geneviève García Vandaele (Hodder Education, 2006).

The French Experience 1 Marie Therese Bougard, Daniele Bourdais (BBC Publications, 2003)

Students are given the following advice about purchasing a dictionary:

“You may be able to manage with a concise one (not a pocket dictionary), but you should consider a ‘proper’ translating dictionary such as the Collins-Robert or Oxford-Hachette, and learn to use it effectively and regularly.”

Assessment Criteria

threshold

40-49%: A limited knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and a limited ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts. Basic oral and aural competence.

good

50-60%: A good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and a good ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts. Good oral and aural competence.

excellent

70+%: An excellent knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and an excellent ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts. Excellent oral and aural competence.

Learning outcomes

  1. To understand basic information and instructions in French in both formal and informal registers.

  2. To communicate competently in French on basic, everyday issues.

  3. To be able to produce short essays and other pieces of continuous writing in a concise manner using basic tenses and vocabulary and key grammatical constructions.

  4. To read and pronounce a given French text competently and confidently.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
COURSEWORK Assignment

Reading Comprehension and Translation

 20.00
GRAMMAR TEST Test 20.00
ORAL Oral Exam 20.00
EXAM Written Exam 40.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

Seminars - 4 hours per week for 11 weeks (3 grammar / written skills classes, 1 conversation class).

 44
Private study

Revision and practice of language skills using a range of materials, including Blackboard. Completion of coursework assignments.

 156

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

  • Studying the countries or regions where the target language is used, including aspects of their literatures, cultures, linguistic contexts, history, politics, geography and social or economic structures. (Benchmark statement 5.10)
  • 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)
  • The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in short written assignments in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
  • The ability to translate short passages into and out of the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • Effective oral communication and presentation skills (including delivery and argument development, discussion and defence) in the target language through individual and/or group discussions. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in oral assignments, showing familiarity with a range of topics and registers in formal and informal situations. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • Develop aural comprehension skills in the target language, supported by a wide range of appropriate materials in different media. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 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)
  • 1. The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in short written assignments in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
  • 2. The ability to translate short passages into and out of the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 3. Engaging with, interpreting and critically evaluating short and longer contemporary texts (short stories, films, novels) in the target language (Benchmark statement 5. 8, and 5.9)
  • 4. Effective oral communication and presentation skills (including delivery and argument development, discussion and defence) in the target language through individual and/or group discussions. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 5. The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in oral assignments, showing familiarity with a range of topics and registers in formal and informal situations. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 6. Develop aural comprehension skills in the target language, supported by a wide range of appropriate materials in different media. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 7. The ability to read, understand and summarise written texts in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)

Resources

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: