French for Business
| Module title | French for Business |
|---|---|
| Module code | FLF3630 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Helene Street (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
French For Business develops communicative language skills (linguistics, sociolinguistics and pragmatics) and communication strategies at the C1 level of the Common European Framework for Languages – CEFR, where you analyse, criticise/question and summarise/synthesise the content of several written and aural documents on business related topics. To do so, it is based on proficient communicative activities such as reception, production and interaction and advocates an action-orientated approach of language teaching and learning.
This module develops all four core language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a range of current business-related contexts.
You will be expected to have an interest in using French in business contexts, although no formal prior business study is required.
The module is taught entirely in the target language, French.
French for Business can be taken towards achieving ‘with advanced proficiency in French”. See: http://humanities.exeter.ac.uk/flc/undergraduate/proficiency/.
Module aims - intentions of the module
On completion of this module, you will have a level equivalent to C1/C1high (as Exit level) - Proficient User of the Common European Framework for language and a knowledge of French for the specific purpose of business, you will be able to:
- Review and consolidate advanced structures and vocabulary of the target language, extending these to cover specifically vocational and business-oriented topics.
- Develop the particular skills required to understand and use written and spoken French as used in general business contexts.
- Understand the economic terms and concepts used in non-specialist but informed publications devoted to current business affairs
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a consistent grammatical control of complex language and structures of French
- 2. Read, comprehend, question and summarise a wide range of demanding, longer written and aural texts in most registers on business-related topics in French, including articles and reports concerned with business issues in which the writers adopt particular attitudes and viewpoints
- 3. Communicate confidently, proficiently and naturally in a range of business-related situations, both orally and in writing, and demonstrate the ability to research a specialist business topic, extracting and summarising key information from a range of written and spoken sources, and produce a written portfolio of material to a high professional standard
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate proficient levels of autonomy in language learning and ability to research a project, with minimal direction from the teacher
- 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, including a specialist dictionary, to consolidate your learning
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Make an oral presentation confidently and articulately on a business- related topic, expanding on and responding to requests for further information from others, and hold a job interview situation in French
- 7. Work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team, reacting to situations as appropriate
- 8. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign business culture
Syllabus plan
The module provides a systematic approach to acquiring essential grammar structures in a communicative context and in accordance with the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
At this level, you are expected to:
- Demonstrate a near native competence in the use of all proficient grammatical structures
- Follow weekly French national and international business news and their global causes and consequences
- However, there may be remedial revision/consolidation of some fossilised grammar inaccuracies as required
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following grammar/topics:
- Remedial revision/consolidation of some fossilised grammar inaccuracies as required
- Various aspects of French and Francophone business-related issues and debates such as:
- Public Sector in the French Economy and economic sectors
- Diversity of firms, who are the entrepreneurs? How to create a firm sample of major French firms?
- Banking services credit
- Business Interview, work in France/The labour market, which organisation and structure? Organisational chart, Rights of the employee, Unions in France/Strikes
- Market study Marketing and advertising, Sales, selling abroad, economic intelligence, communication, distribution, ordering online, IT
- Reading and writing an invoice, insurance, choosing the right insurance
- Presenting and analysing figures
- Stock Market
- Firms and the environment
Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as pair/group work and role playing, class debates and include the study of longer texts, oral development work and listening comprehension exercises.
You will be expected to spend time studying outside the class and we provide guidance, facilities and materials to help you develop your expertise as a proficient language learner.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | 234 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 66 | Language classes |
| Guided Independent Study | 234 | Consolidate class work by learning business related vocabulary and structures and by reading, watching or listening to material from a wide range of sources in French. Prepare exercises and activities for class, write assignments and further develop a repertoire of effective language learning strategies |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 formative tasks per year (grammar and vocabulary, writing, reading and listening comprehension) | Variable | 1-8 | Written and oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | 25 | 40 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-class test (listening and text reduction) | 25 | 1.5 Hours | 1-5, 8 | Written feedback |
| Oral presentation | 15 | 15-20 minutes | 1, 3-6, 8 | Written feedback |
| Oral test | 25 | 12-13 minutes | 1, 3-6, 8 | Written feedback |
| Dossier | 35 | Consists of different components, including short summaries (1,500 words overall) and an essay (1,500 words) in the target language | 1-6, 8 | Written feedback |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-class test (listening and text reduction) | Written examination | 1-5, 8 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Oral presentation, oral test | Oral presentation | 1, 3-6, 8 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Dossier | Dossier | 1-6,8 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Oral Test = 40%, Dossier = 35%, Written exam = 25%
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%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
There is no coursebook for this module. Please see ELE for recommended resources.
Recommended materials:
- Dictionary: Collins/Robert French Dictionary or Oxford/Hachette French
- Grammaire progressive du français - Nouvelle édition : Livre perfectionnement B2/C2 + 600 exercices, CD. 2nd edition by Eric pessan, Publisher: Cle international (May 2017), ISBN-13: 978-209038209
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- French for business section TV, newspaper and radio stations or shows – see recommendations of module convenor
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | Completion of FLF3515/3530: French Advanced Two or equivalent |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 2010 |
| Last revision date | 17/02/2023 |
