Module MLAN1581: FRENCH STAGE 6 (Durham Campus)

Department: Centre for Foreign Language Study (MLAN)

MLAN1581: FRENCH STAGE 6 (Durham Campus)

Prerequisites

• Successful completion of French Stage 5 or an equivalent qualification, subject to decision by the module’s language coordinator. No higher entry French language qualification permitted.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Any Core Language Module offered by the School of Modern Languages and Cultures

Aims

• To consolidate and widen further the knowledge of the French language, including grammar and lexis;
• To enhance communicative proficiency in French further, in both writing and oral (presentation and interaction);
• To develop further listening and reading skills;
• To broaden the knowledge of contemporary France and the Francophone world;
• To develop intercultural awareness

Content

• The development of the students' language skills (reading, writing, listening, spoken production and interaction) will be integrated into a framework focussing on various aspects of contemporary France and other French-speaking countries (culture, politics, everyday life, social issues, etc);
• Course book materials will be supplemented with multimedia resources available online;
• The module is conducted in French.
• There will be a one, two one-hour seminar a week, which will be used to consolidate and develop grammatical and lexical knowledge as well as to practice oral, aural and writing skills.

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of this module learners will be able to:
• demonstrate the ability to carry out basic research in the target language and present an oral and written summary;
• demonstrate a sound broad knowledge of some aspects of contemporary France;
• demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the cultures and societies in France and French-speaking countries gained through the study of cultural products;
• demonstrate a sound broad knowledge and understanding of the main French linguistic principles, structures and registers used in various types of documents (essays, newspaper articles, songs, adverts, websites, etc.).

• On successful completion of the moudle learners will be able to:
• write on a wide range of various contemporary French issues, expressing and discussing views;
• enter unprepared into conversation and issues related both to familiar and unfamiliar topics;
• understand and report on the main points of clear standard speech and authentic aural pasages on various topics;
• apply a range of grammatical principles;
• make effective use of reference material such as grammars and dictionaries;
• use a range of language learning techniques and skills effectively by independently developing strategies to extend their lexis and knowledge of grammar.

• On successful completion of this module learners will be able to:
• Give an oral presentation in French;
• Discuss topical or general issues with a high degree of fluency;
• Write an essay demonstrating the ability to organise ideas in a logical and coherent sequence in sustained prose and critically analyse arguments;
• Extensively communicate information, ideas and arguments both orally and in writing;
• Gather, process and evaluate critically information and evidence from a variety of paper, audiovisual and electronic sources.;
• Read complex and multivalent text with intellectual nuance, and a sensitivity to context and genre.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• This module is delivered through seminar style classes;
• Contact time will be used to introduce new material and provide the students with high quality target language input from the module tutor and multimedia sources.
• Small group teaching (around 15 students) will allow for the development of oral/aural skills as it offers all students the chance to participate in various communicative activities in pairs and groups.
• Ideally, seminar sessions would be particularly suitable in classrooms equipped with interactive white board facilities as it will allow the module tutor to put into place communicative activities stimulating the students and encouraging them to fully participate in the class.
• In preparation for each session students will be expected to revise new material and complete formative language exercises.
• The assessment scheme for this module is designed to test students' level of attainment in language production (speaking and writing) and reception (listening and reading). In order to reflect the continuous nature of the language learning process the module will be assessed by a combination of formative and summative in-course assessment and by formal written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Regular homework/assignments will be given to the students to practise and consolidate what they have done in class and to prepare the following session, some of which will be submitted and marked as formative assignments and regular feedback will be given to the students accordingly.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University