Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

This module does not require previous knowledge in business studies.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in SML, this module will:
-       build on language skills gained at Stage 1,
-       introduce students to specialised business French language,
-       provide students with an ability to develop a level of spoken and written proficiency in professional
and academic environments,
-       introduce students to basic key concepts in business and to the francophone business environment.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module, taught in the target language, will introduce students to the francophone business environment and to basic key concepts in business.

The key concepts studied will include the organisation of a company and its main business strategies with a particular focus on internationalisation, marketing, communication, human resources and crisis management.
The francophone business environment will be studied.
A practical approach will be favoured based on authentic case studies of important multinational companies such as L’Oréal, LVMH, EDF, TotalEnergies, Renault…
Specific topics and materials will be provided by the lecturer.

Written and spoken exercises, analysis and commentaries of authentic francophone business materials will be practised throughout, preparing students for specialised communication in the target language.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module, the students will have gained knowledge in:

-       the use of specialised business French language,
-       the basic organisation and business strategies of francophone companies,
-       the business environment in which francophone companies operate.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Subject-specific skills

By the end of the module, the students will have gained experience in:
-       being able to understand and use specialised business French language, both in written and orally,
-       reading and analysing authentic francophone business materials,
-       identifying and understanding the basic organisation and key business strategies of francophone
companies,
-       understanding the business environment in which francophone companies operate.


Cognitive/intellectual skills

Students will further their ability to:
-       apply and evaluate a range of learning strategies appropriate to the demands of the course,
-       critically analyse business materials such as advertisements,
-       work independently and confidently, on their own or as part of a group, either within or outside the
classroom,
-       conduct research using the Internet and other sources in order to contribute their own materials to the
course.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures will be given in the target language and will provide students with the key knowledge on the francophone business environment and basic key concepts in business.
The workshops will provide students with the opportunity to discuss the knowledge presented in the lectures. They will introduce, model and offer guidance on the skills that students are required to practice during the course (commentary writing of business materials, preparation of poster presentation…)
Group work will offer students an opportunity to work in small groups (in the target language) under close supervision of the lecturer and will focus on the skills listed in the outline syllabus.

Teaching will be mostly in the target language.

Work requirements:
-       researching materials for the poster presentation and discussion
-       writing critical analysis of business materials in the target language

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The students abilities are assessed by means of a written examination in order to ensure that the students’ output is produced in identical conditions and is their own work.
The poster presentation will be completed in pairs and will test the students’ ability to present their work orally in the target language.

General Notes

N/A