Overview
This language module is designed for those who have completed FREN904/004 Elementary French 4, or have the equivalent language level of an AS level, or A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference.
Through a variety of methods students will develop an intermediate competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking French and an understanding of intermediate French grammar. At the end of this 12-week module students will have reached a B1 proficiency level in the Common European Framework of Reference and will be able to connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences, events, dreams, and expectations and give their own opinion. They will be able to deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. They will have a good understanding of life and culture in French-speaking countries and intercultural skills necessary for their language proficiency level.
Syllabus
Week 1
- Introductions
- Travel – What sort of a traveller are you? Travel souvenirs: what do you like to bring back?
- Grammar: Object pronouns
Week 2
- Travel – What makes a trip unusual?
- Grammar: Prepositions of place
- Use of the Past Perfect with the Imperfect tenses
Week 3
- Travel – keeping a journal
- Grammar: the Pluperfect Tense
Week 4
- Music – how do you experience or discover music; Mistral Gagnant, as an example of one of France’s most loved songs
- Grammar: Expressing purpose
Week 5
- Music – different types of music. What are your personal preferences? How do you express yourself in music
- Grammar: l’Argot
Week 6
- Music – cover versions: when are they successful?
- Grammar: giving advice using ‘si’; gerunds and present participles
Week 7
- Taking risks: what are you ready to take a risk for? Do you have a bucket list?
- Grammar: the ‘liaison’ (elision)
Week 8
- Taking risks: overcoming your fears
- Grammar: adverbs and asking questions
Week 9
- Taking risks: do you have any regrets?
- Grammar: expressing regret
Week 10
- Managing your image: the right to privacy
- Grammar: the Subjunctive
Week 11
- Managing your image: social media
- Grammar: the Subjunctive and expressing opinions
Week 12: Written and speaking tests will take place this week. Completing the assessment is required for students taking the course as part of their degree, or if they would like to have the course recorded in their HEAR.
For all other students, taking the tests is also strongly recommended, as a measure of your progress and learning.
Textbook details:
Students need to acquire a copy of the textbook Entre Nous 3. Tout En Un: Méthode de Français
Livre de l’Elève + Cahier D’Activités + CD, Ed. Maison des Langues 2016, www.emdl.fr/fle
ISBN: 9788416273249 Approx. £25
Please ensure that you get hold of the right edition, as some students in the past have bought the wrong version and have had to send it back, thus postponing an efficient start to their course. If in doubt, quote the ISBN number.
We recommend our students to buy their textbooks from Blackwell’s on campus. They have a price match policy and you can pre-order over the phone with them and pick the book when you are on campus.
Study Hours
The total number of study hours for this module is 150 hours, in line with undergraduate university modules. This includes class meetings, assessment preparation and self-directed study in line with guidance from the course lecturer.
If you are studying on the extracurricular mode, we recognise that the total number of hours that you may be able to study every week may depend on your availability and previous experience studying languages, however, expected contribution to classes, homework completion, and learning outcomes will not vary.
Please note that the ‘last date available to book’ date is only a guide. We reserve the right to close bookings earlier if courses are over- or under-subscribed. In order to avoid disappointment, please be sure enrol as soon as possible. Registrations will not be processed until the following day if received after 3pm.
Course Lecturer: Dr Judith Aveling
Bonjour!
Thanks to my parents emigrating from Shrewsbury to France after they were married, my sisters and I grew up bilingually in the suburbs of Paris, where I also went to school. As a native speaker of French, I have taught this beautifully complex language for nearly 15 years in English secondary schools, often alongside Russian or Classics. More recently, I have taught undergraduates and for the last three years, in order to fit in with childcare responsibilities, I have taught students of Levels 4 to 8 for Open Languages.
Because I still have family over in France I go over there regularly, if only to get my fix of French cooking, stock up on DVDs, and bring back Reblochon cheese for the Winter’s Tartiflettes, and Crème de Cassis (or the Tesseire version for the kids!) and garlic.
When I’m not teaching I’m being a mum and wife, volunteering for my children’s primary school or for Merseyside Police, running a 5K (lockdown legacy), or singing for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and other local church choirs.
What better way to spend the year ahead, until our next Summer holiday in France, than to teach its language and culture?
A bientôt!
Fees for language courses are £180/£90.
Visit our fee bands page to see which fee applies to you.
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