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FRE-90001 - Module Specification
Language Centre
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

FRE-90001 - French 1
Coordinator: Patricia Payne Tel: +44 1782 7 33401
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733960

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Global Challenge Pathway Global Challenge Pathway (Level 5)
Global Challenge Pathway Global Challenge Pathway (Level 5)
Global Challenge Pathway Global Challenge Pathway (Level 6)


Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

No prior knowledge.



Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module is designed for students with no prior knowledge of French. It offers a structured introduction to the language, focusing on developing essential communication skills for everyday situations. By the end of the module, you will be able to interact in simple ways, such as introducing yourself, asking and answering questions about personal details, and talking about family and friends.
The module places a strong emphasis on oral communication, while also supporting the development of listening, reading and writing skills. In addition to language acquisition, the module offers insights into French-speaking cultures, exploring traditions, customs, and culturally appropriate behaviours to foster intercultural awareness.
Learning is supported through a variety of resources, including structured course materials, video content, and interactive online exercises available via the KLE (Keele Learning Environment), enabling you to consolidate vocabulary and grammar at your own pace.
The language level of this module corresponds to the work leading to Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR - A1).

Aims
This module aims to equip students with no prior knowledge of French with basic language skills and introduces key aspects of Francophone-speaking cultures. It also develops awareness of general language learning strategies.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/fre-90001/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Recognise and understand familiar words, basic sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of immediate relevance (e.g. personal information, family, studies, etc.) when people speak slowly and clearly: 2,3
Understand and extract key information from simple written texts, for example messages, notices, posters, catalogues, etc: 1,2
Interact in simple, familiar situations, asking and answering simple questions related to personal information, and being able to ask for repetition or clarification, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly: 3
Write simple notes, messages and short texts (e.g. personal letters or emails) providing personal information about themselves and their surroundings, making pertinent grammatical and lexical choices: 1,2
Understand and use simple grammatical structures and rules and develop language learning strategies: 1,2,3
Recognize and act upon cultural differences encountered in everyday situations and demonstrate knowledge of common traditions in the French speaking world.: 1,2,3

Study hours

22 hours class time.
40 hours assessments preparation and completion.
88 hours guided independent study.

School Rules

Admission to the module must be confirmed through completion of a language level self-assessment form.
Students can only take one French language module per semester.
Students can only take one absolute beginners language module (90001) in any one academic year.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Class Test weighted 30%
Class Test
Students will complete an in-class test (maximum duration 45 minutes) to assess competence in receptive and productive skills. Tasks may include writing a short text in the target language, undertaking a dictation, translating a passage, or completing vocabulary and grammar exercises. All tasks will align with CEFR descriptors for language use at the relevant level.

2: Flexible Class Test weighted 20%
Flexible Online KLE Test
Students will complete a series of online exercises on the KLE platform (maximum duration 60 minutes) designed to assess reading comprehension, listening, grammar and vocabulary knowledge and writing skills in the target language. All tasks will align with CEFR descriptors for language use at the relevant level.

3: Speaking Assessment weighted 50%
Spoken Interaction Assessment
A 4-8 minute Spoken Interaction Assessment designed to assess learner’s competence in speaking (production), listening (reception) and conversation (interaction). Tasks may include a presentation, role play, or description of a visual or audiovisual prompt, followed by a question-and-answer section. Where assessments are conducted in pairs or groups, each student will be assessed individually and awarded separate marks.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025