FRE-90009 - Module Specification
Language Centre
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

French 8 or equivalent (e.g. A level B, CEF level B2)

Barred Combinations

Description for 2020/21

This is a French post-advanced course designed for students who have a very good familiarity with the language and will develop their communication skills in French in everyday situations as well as in more complex contexts, in particular in developing arguments and discussions around a range of topical issues in French or understanding contemporary France.
By the end of this course you be able to understand extended vocabulary and complex phrases concerning a French speaking environment. You will understand complex sentences, for example those used in French speaking media. You will be able to interact in a very elaborate way with French people. You will be able to ask and answer a range of questions on familiar topics and discuss issues of contemporary France. You will be able to use complex phrases and sentences to describe your everyday life and life in your country. You will be able to write texts in French on a range of issues in the French speaking world. You will be able to summarize French texts in French and to develop your skills at essay writing in French. You will become more fluent in making an oral presentation in French and in the use of French online resources.
In French 9, we continue from French 8 and you will both consolidate the skills you have acquired at that level and build on them by moving beyond the situations of everyday life to more challenging (and stimulating) topics like the media, politics or technology. You will extend your vocabulary base and be introduced to the more complex grammatical structures characteristic of formal, written French.
We will make an extensive use of French resources available on the Internet to consolidate vocabulary, grammatical structures and themes dealt with in class.
The language level of this module corresponds to work leading to Level C1 of the European Common Framework for Languages (CEFR -C1).

The course follows on from French 8, assuming a corresponding level of competence and consolidates the skills acquired at that level.
Students will continue to develop their comprehension and compositional skills through exposure to texts dealing with intellectually stimulating topics, such as 'Women in politics' or 'The role of the press' but without neglecting more practical skills like writing CVs or making job applications.
Students will also be encouraged to work independently on their oral and aural skills by viewing and discussing live or online French TV programmes.
The course aims to build on the knowledge and skills acquired in French 8, through exposure to materials of a more formal nature.
It aims to provide students with:
1. Mastery of the main areas of French grammar.
2. The ability to understand texts with an intellectual content written in formal French.
3. The ability to summarize such texts in correct French.
4. The ability to translate such texts from and into French.
5. The ability to compose French in the same formal register.

Intended Learning Outcomes

understand extended speech and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar: 1
express themselves fluently, accounting for and sustaining their views, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options on topical issues: 1,2
express themselves in clear, well structured writing, expressing points of view at some length: 1,2
demonstrate accurate usage of the language with regard to register, vocabulary, grammar and style: 1,2
discuss contemporary issues with reference to the cultural context of French speaking countries: 1,2
understand long and complex factual and/or fictional texts: 1,2

Study hours

20 hours of synchronous and asynchronous class time
100 hours class preparation and revision and private study
22 hours revision for and completion of written exam
8 hours preparation for and attendance at spoken interaction exam

School Rules

Admission to the module must be confirmed through completion of a language level self-assessment form
Students are only permitted to take one French module per semester.

Description of Module Assessment