French Beginners Fast-Track
| Module title | French Beginners Fast-Track |
|---|---|
| Module code | FLF2130 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Jane Lee (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
Module description
French Beginners Fast-Track covers the equivalent of French Beginners and Intermediate 1 in one year as this is a teaching intensive module. It is intended for those wh6o have a successful track record of learning another modern foreign language (e.g. GCSE A*-B grade or equivalent). It may also be suitable for re-starters wanting to review the basics of French language. You will need to understand basic terminology for grammatical structures.
French Beginners Fast-Track can be taken towards achieving ‘with proficiency in French”, see http://humanities.exeter.ac.uk/flc/undergraduate/proficiency/
Module aims - intentions of the module
French Beginners Fast-Track provides a systematic approach to acquiring essential grammar structures in a communicative context. The module is taught as far as possible in French. French Beginners Fast-Track aims to:
- Provide you with a solid foundation of the basic grammatical structures of French and the linguistic tools to enable you to communicate effectively in everyday situations across the four key language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing)
- Enable you to give and understand information and to achieve a confident elementary level of communicative competence in everyday situations.
- Provide an introduction to the customs, culture and society of the regions/countries in which French is spoken and to develop your awareness of the general social and cultural background of French.
French Beginners Fast-Track exit level is broadly equivalent to A2 Basic User level of the Common European Framework.
Successful completion of this module will enable you to progress directly to French Intermediate Fast Track, FLF2430.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a sound grasp of the basic grammatical structures of French
- 2. Read and comprehend straightforward written and aural texts on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, study, leisure etc in French
- 3. Communicate effectively on a broad range of general topics which are familiar or of personal interest, both orally and in writing, and produce short descriptive and narrative texts, formal and informal letters
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Understand the principles of learning a foreign language intensively and organise your learning with guidance from the tutor
- 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, such as a reference grammar and bilingual dictionary, to consolidate your learning
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Give a presentation on a topic pertinent to everyday occurrences in your field and hold a conversation in French which may involve expressing opinions and making value judgments
- 7. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign culture
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
Main grammar (non-exhaustive):
Revision of:
- Basic uses of the definite and indefinite articles, à and de, question forms, negative, singular and plural nouns, personal pronouns, direct and indirect object pronouns, adjectives, prepositions of location, adverbs.
- Verbs: revision of the infinitive, the imperative, the present, the perfect and the future, reflexive verbs.
- Relative clauses and the pronouns qui, que.
- Position of pronouns.
- Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns.
- Time phrases depuis, pendant, il y a.
- Comparisons using plus/moins.
- Pronouns y and en.
- Verbs: Conditional, imperfect tense, subjunctive mood, use of perfect and imperfect, the passive and use of on, en+ present participle, faire faire quelque chose, modal verbs savoir/pouvoir/vouloir/devoir, verbs +infinitive, use of il faut
Main Topics (non-exhaustive):
- Self and family: introducing oneself, stating name, age, nationality and talking about the family and describing members of the family.
- Home and the environment: describing where you live
- Giving and understanding directions.
- Time, numbers, colours, weather.
- Shopping
- Talking about leisure activities and free time, making and understanding arrangements, describing plans.
- Stating preferences and interests, expressing opinions, expressing agreement and disagreement.
- Expressing likes and dislikes.
- Talking about hypothetical situations.
- Expressing emotions
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | 212 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 88 | Language classes |
| Guided independent study | 212 | Consolidate class work by learning vocabulary and structures, and by reading, watching or listening to material in French. Prepare exercises and activities for class, write short assignments and generally begin to acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies. Learning activities are supported by various media, including audio, video / DVD, and, where appropriate, computer software. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 formative tasks covering some or all of the following areas: grammar, writing, listening, reading, speaking. | Variable | 1-7 | Written and oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 25 | 25 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 50 | As described on the ELE page | 1,7 | Written and oral feedback with opportunity for individual follow-up with tutor(s) |
| Oral test | 25 | Approximately 10 minutes | 1-3, 6-7 | Written feedback sheet (upon request) |
| Written examination | 25 | 1.5 hours | 1-5,7 | Written feedback (upon request) |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Portfolio | 1-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Written examination | Written examination | 1-5, 7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Oral test | Oral test | 1-3, 6-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
You will only be required to retake any failed assessments. Marks for any passed assessments will be carried forward. If you have failed any assessments but managed to pass the module overall, you will not be allowed to retake the failed assessments.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Le Nouveau Rond Point 1 (A1-A2): Livre de l'élève + CD-audio + Activités 2.0: Méthode de français basé sur l’apprentissage par les tâches, Publisher: Editions Maison des Langues ; 1er édition (2011), ISBN-13: 978-8484436614
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Grammaire progressive du français - Nouvelle édition : Livre débutant A1 + 440 exercices, CD. 2nd edition by Maia Grégoire, Publisher: Cle international (July 2018), ISBN-13: 978-2090380996
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | February 2012 |
| Last revision date | 27/07/2020 |
