French level 1

Paris

A beginner’s introduction to French language and culture

Module details

  • Offered to 1st & 2nd Years
  • Monday or Tuesday 16.00-18.00 (depending on year of study)
  • Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
  • 2 term module worth 7.5 ECTS
  • Not available as part of I-Explore
  • Extra Credit or Degree Credit where your department allows
Degree credit module options by departmentHow to enrol

A communicative module for absolute beginners offering an introduction to the language and culture of the French-speaking countries.

This module aims to : -

  • To give students with no previous knowledge of French an introduction to the everyday language spoken in the French speaking countries including a fairly wide range of vocabulary and basic structures
  • To develop all the fundamental language skills, i.e. reading, writing, listening and speaking
  • To offer students insight into culture and daily life in the French-speaking countries

By the end of the module, students should have reached approximately the A1+ level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

To be eligible for this module you need to have no previous experience in learning French. 

Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of next academic year. 

Information blocks

 

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:Arc de Triomphe

  • respond to and produce a basic range of spoken language in very familiar contexts;
  • respond to and produce simple written texts. you will demonstrate the relevant level of intercultural awareness in your handling of everyday social interactions in french and your use of language;
  • engage with a basic range of digital language learning tools to support your production.



 

 

 

In this module, you will cover the following linguistic structures:Versailles

  • present tense;
  • imperative;
  • near future;
  • introduction to conditional;
  • perfect;
  • personal and object pronouns;
  • articles;
  • possessive adjectives;
  • declension of nouns and pronouns;
  • reflexive verbs;
  • prepositions;
  • conjunctions;
  • quantifiers;
  • impersonal forms;
  • modal verbs (vouloir, devoir, pouvoir).

Topics include:

  • social interaction;
  • everyday life and objects;
  • work,
  • training and professions;
  • the home and the family;
  • holidays and leisure time, travel, eating and drinking;
  • giving and understanding information;
  • opinions;
  • features of modern life;
  • selected cultural areas and personalities of the French-speaking countries.

 

 

 

In line with modern foreign languages communicative and active learning methodologies, the in-class activities you will complete will cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). These will include pair work and groupwork (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion); individual tasks; discovery and formulation of grammatical rules; work with texts and audio visual material. Homework and coursework tasks will give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate your knowledge and skills and to develop your awareness of how to use language learning tools independently. Our approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks and activities, but also seeks to support different learning styles.

Your coursework will be marked and returned within two weeks. Rubrics and revision guidance (how-to guides) will be included as needed with each coursework. You will receive detailed feedback alongside suggestions for improvement and an overall percentage showing your provisional grade for that assessment.

  • Coursework (20%): Mid term 1 set of tasks on the virtual environment: grammar, reading, writing (100 word).
  • Coursework (20%): Mid term 2 project based coursework: pre recorded oral presentation (2mn) and writing: (100 words).
  • Examination (20%): In-class test run on the virtual learning environment (bring your own device). This 1-hour test will take place at the end of term 1. It will include grammar and vocabulary exercises, a listening comprehension and writing (100 words).
  • Examination (20%): In-class test run on the virtual learning environment (bring your own device). This 1-hour test will take place at the end of term 2. It will include grammar and vocabulary exercises, reading comprehension and writing (120 words).
  • Practical (20%): Oral examination at the end of term 2 including presentation and role play (approx. 10 minutes).
  • 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
  • Available to take for credit towards your degree where your department allows. Also available for extra-credit.
  • You must be prepared to attend all classes and and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.

Course book: French 1 by Dounia Bissar, Helen Phillips and Cécile Tschirhart, Palgrave Macmillan, Third edition, 2016 - ISBN-13: 978-1137579195- supported by audio-visual material and online resources: https://he.palgrave.com/companion/Palgrave-Foundations-Languages/learning-resources/French-1/
Grammar support:  French Grammar Revision - Mille et un points, by Neil Creighton, Nelson Thornes; New Ed edition (2 May 2000) - ISBN-13: 978-0174444602

"The course was very well taught, and the feedback was very helpful. "