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Module

FRE2061 : Level C (HE Advanced) French

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Ms Isabelle Ruegg Alter
  • Lecturer: Miss Nathalie Paris, Ms Christelle Vicente-Jacques, Dr Myriem El Maizi
  • Owning School: Modern Languages
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML, this module will:

1. Focus on further developing students' written and oral communicative competences in French gained in Level B (including fluency, grammatical and lexical accuracy and range; register and pronunciation);
2. Continue to prepare students for the future study of French (including written and oral communicative skills, and intercultural awareness and competence) and/ or for their future learning experience (including independent learning and study skills; reflective skills and self-regulation);
3. Continue to facilitate students' ability to establish and maintain effective social and working relations with speakers of French in written and spoken media during their intercalary year. This includes students’ ability to use and understand authentic material and produce their own written and spoken output.

The module will be taught and assessed in French.

Outline Of Syllabus

Students cover a variety of topics related to contemporary French (and Francophone) society, and / or relevant to Contemporary societies and cultures. Depending on student feedback, these may include:
1. Cultural differences
2. A practical guide to living and working in France
3. Ethical / controversial current issues
4. Culture and Traditions / Cultural issues
5. French Languages and registers
6. Current Affairs

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials221:0022:00Non-synchronous online activities related to the grammar lectures
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture221:0022:00In-person grammar lectures
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical12:002:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching212:0042:00Language seminars taking place on campus in labs and classrooms. Online if necessary due to Covid-19.
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1121:00112:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1. Teaching in the language seminars will focus on oral communication skills (speaking and listening) while reading and writing skills are mainly developed in the preparation of and the associated work after the language seminar.

2. The one-hour grammar lectures will focus on the formal structures of the language and key study skills. Students will work through independent study materials (exercises and recorded videos) at home to reinforce and consolidate the content covered in the lectures.

3. Independent learning and learner autonomy are further developed through the means of structured homework and research activities, pair and group work and self-study at home via the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Canvas and the Language Resource Centre. Particular initiative is expected from students at this level, e.g. course participants will be asked to contribute their own materials to the classes and activities and be very pro-active in their language study.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1502A50On-campus exam
Oral Examination152M30On campus, live presentation and discussion
Exam Pairings
Module Code Module Title Semester Comment
Level C (HE Advanced) French - Exchange Semester 22N/A
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise1M20Written task combining reading and writing skills.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

- The written exercise (20%) will encourage work on language skills and enable students to receive formative (for learning) feedback. It will help students assess their progress and identify their strengths and areas for improvement, thus stimulating their independent and reflective learning skills throughout the year. The task will be submitted online towards the end of Semester 1 (20%). It will test the students’ ability to produce a well-structured text in the target language based on the comprehension and analysis of written source material.

- The oral examination (30%) will take place at the end of Semester 2. It will test students’ ability to conduct independent research, critically evaluate authentic material, and to produce and present their own output orally in a clear and structured manner. It will also assess their ability to speak freely, understand aural and/or audio visual input, and interact in a discussion on these findings and on general matters.

- The final written exam at the end of Semester 2 (50%) will take place during the exam period and will test the students’ ability to produce and present a well-structured text or texts in the target language. Students may be allowed to type their own answers provided that spell check / grammar check has been disabled. This formal examination provides summative information to staff and student on student's achievement in the target language at the end of this module.

Reading Lists

Timetable