Module details
- Offered to all undergraduates
- Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, 16.00-18.00 (depending on year of study)
- Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
- Two-term module, worth 7.5 ECTS
- Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore
- Extra Credit, or Degree Credit where your department allows
French advice
Contact the Coordinator:
Ms Marine Orain
020 7594 8750
Room S307, Sherfield Level 3
Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication
A communicative module for students with some prior knowledge of the French language and the culture of the French-speaking countries.
This module will help you to:
- develop all the language skills, i.e. reading, writing, listening and speaking, equivalent to an A2+ (CEFR) level;
- extend your knowledge of grammatical structures and vocabulary, and equip you with the necessary tools for independent language learning;
- offer you an insight into some aspects of the culture and daily life in French-speaking countries;
- prepare you to progress towards higher language levels.
To be eligible for this module, you need to have done one of the following:
- Successfully completed French Level 1
- Gained a French GCSE qualification
- Already achieved A1+ or equivalent on the CEFR.
Download a table of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels (PDF).
You are advised to review material from your previous courses before the start of this module.
Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of next academic year.
Information blocks
On successful completion of this module, you will be better prepared to:
- respond to and produce a simple range of spoken language in familiar everyday contexts;
- respond to and produce short written texts applying your knowledge of A2-level grammar and vocabulary (CEFR);
- demonstrate intercultural awareness in the handling of everyday social interactions in French and in your use of language;
- use a range of digital language-learning tools to support your production and expand your knowledge.
In this module, you will cover the following linguistic structures:
- nouns, articles and adjectives (possessive, demonstrative);
- pronouns: object and relative;
- use of adjectives, including comparative and superlative;
- prepositions;
- verbs: present, perfect, imperfect, pluperfect, future and conditional tenses, infinitive, participles, introduction to subjunctive mood.
Class content may include (but is not limited to) the following topics:
- social interaction
- leisure activities
- accommodation
- food
- health issues
- education
- environment
- work
- medias
- modern technologies
- aspects of French history and geography
- further cultural areas and personalities of the French-speaking countries
In line with modern foreign languages communicative and active learning methodologies, the in-class activities you will complete will cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). These will include pair work and group work (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion); individual tasks; discovery and formulation of grammatical rules; work with texts and audio visual material. Weekly preparation tasks set on the Virtual Learning Environment and coursework tasks will give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate your knowledge and skills at your own pace and to develop your awareness of how to use language learning tools independently. Our approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks and activities but also seeks to support different learning styles.
Your coursework will be marked and returned within two weeks. Rubrics and revision guidance (how-to guides) will be included as needed with each coursework. You will receive detailed feedback alongside suggestions for improvement and an overall percentage showing your provisional grade for that assessment.
The module includes formative as well as summative assessment. Homework tasks (theory revision, reading, writing, listening, etc) are set every week on the virtual learning environment, following a flipped-classroom approach to ensure face-to-face time is devoted for interactional learning and communicative skills acquisition. This means that you will be provided with materials to study independently beforehand and then apply these during classroom time. Your lecturer will give you support materials and guidance to reinforce topics covered at your own pace.
You will be expected to complete two pieces of summative coursework (set during mid-autumn term and mid-spring term), which will include rubrics and revision guidance to ensure you are supported when completing your work and you are aware of the assessment expectations. There will also be a 1-hour in-class test (scheduled at the end of spring term), and one practical - in the form of an oral examination (during the summer term). The coursework, tests and practical contribute to your final grade.
- Coursework (25%): Integrated skills pack in mid-autumn term: receptive/ productive skills, including writing (c. 150 words).
- Coursework (25%): Integrated skills pack in mid-spring term: receptive/ productive skills, including 3-4 minute speaking.
- Examination (25%): 1-hour in-class test run on the VLE (Bring Your Own Device), at the end of spring term, testing grammar/ lexicon awareness and reading/ writing skills (incl. writing c. 150 words).
- Practical (25%): Oral examination in the summer term, including graded, open conversation on topics seen in class and unprepared communicative task (approx. 15 minutes).
Assessment information for students on a course with a year abroad
- 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
- Available to take for credit towards your degree, where your department allows. Also available for extra credit. The Module options by department page has a full list of the credit options.
- You must be prepared to attend all classes and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.
Coursebook
Relevant reading lists and/or materials will be published on the VLE.
Grammar Support
TBC
Other information
Further information for Year Abroad/Year in Europe Students
Further information for BSc Hons and MSc Language for Science Degrees
"I have found French Level 2 to be excellent compared to the technical modules I am used to! The standard was perfect - challenging, but not beyond reach. This made the classes very enjoyable. Feedback on coursework was promptly marked, and with useful constructive comments."
"This is a very well organised module. I think that the activities proposed in class were very efficient for understanding the new material learnt."
"Great module, nice to practice some french, there's lots of oral exercises (what I primarily joined the class for)."
"I have enjoyed the module so far. I feel as if I am making significant progress in learning French."