Module LZF-1001:
Advanced French 1

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Armelle Blin-Rolland

Overall aims and purpose

The module aims to develop students' translation and reading comprehension skills through the study of texts varying in style and register. Students will be able to produce competent pieces of writing in French. The module will develop students' oral and aural skills through conversation exercises and selected audio-visual materials varying in tone and register. Throughout the module they will develop vocabulary acquisition and incorporate key expressions into oral and written work. They will develop a more complex understanding of key grammatical structures and an ability to use grammatical constructions in written and oral expression. They will be able to discuss and defend arguments and ideas in group and one-to-one discussions; as well as understand key aspects informing contemporary French identities. Students on this module will be working towards achieving B1+/B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Course content

This module enables post A-level students to develop written and oral communicative skills in French by extending linguistic competence acquired at A-level. It comprises text-based classes in which students have the opportunity to develop translation and writing skills, as well as oral/aural classes, in which a range of audio and visual aids are employed to stimulate group discussions and debates. Throughout the module, students also have the opportunity to revise and consolidate key areas of grammar. The texts and materials used in this module are chosen from a range of sources in order to familiarise students with variations in tone and register. Through these materials, students will also gain an insight into particular Francophone themes and issues that relate to contemporary life and society in the French speaking world. Learning outside of the classroom is supported through a co-curricular Self-Study Portfolio.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

40-49%: Limited knowledge of French grammar and vocabulary resulting in a limited ability to communicate in writing or translate from French-English and English-French. Basic understanding of aural and written material in French. Basic grasp of French pronunciation and limited ability to converse freely in French and respond to spoken material. Limited ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral French.

good

50-69%: Good knowledge of French grammar and vocabulary resulting in a good ability to communicate in writing or translate from French-English and English-French. Good understanding of aural and written material in French. Good grasp of French pronunciation and some ability to converse freely in French and respond to spoken material. Ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral French

excellent

70+%: Excellent knowledge of French grammar and vocabulary resulting in an excellent ability to communicate in writing or translate from French-English and English-French. Excellent understanding of aural and written material in French. Excellent grasp of French pronunciation and clear ability to converse freely in French and respond to spoken material. Clear ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral French.

Learning outcomes

  1. Understand and translate written texts varying in style and register.

  2. Demonstrate an ability to extract and use information presented in French-language sources to answer questions in the target language.

  3. Explore and evaluate some of the key themes and debates dominating contemporary French culture

  4. Employ key grammatical structures in written and oral work.

  5. Produce accurate and idiomatically correct written French

  6. Engage with French language in spoken form, understanding, reacting and responding to it in an interactive context.

  7. Apply new areas of vocabulary to written and oral work.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
EXAM 2 hours written exam

Structured in two parts: 1) French/English translation (ca. 200-250 words) 2) Translation of a set of 10 English sentences into French, designed to test grammatical structures.

 50
ORAL Assessed oral discussion

A one-to-one oral discussion (6-8 minutes) on one of a selection of video/audio files, which will be been seen/heard in advance.

 25
ESSAY Creative Writing Assignment

An extended piece of writing in French (ca. 500 words), which responds to a given text (e.g. an opinion piece, a letter, a piece of creative writing).

 25

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

4 one-hour seminars per week, with a varying focus on oral, aural, written and reading skills.

 44
Private study

Practice of language skills using a range of materials, including Blackboard, vocabulary building, grammar revision. Completion of coursework assignments.

 156

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • 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 sensitevely 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
  • Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
  • 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

  • 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)
  • 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)
  • The ability to read, understand and summarise written texts in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 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

Resource implications for students

Materials to be provided by the lecturer.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/lzf-1001.html

Reading list

Grammar dossier (provided by lecturer)

Text-based dossier (provided by lecturer)

Oral conversation dossier (provided by lecturer)

Other Learning Resources: Students registered for this module are expected to complete the School’s co-curricular Self-Study Portfolio. This portfolio encourages students to read French-language newspapers and watch French TV and French films on a regular basis; they should also read one French-language novel per semester.

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: