Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module FREN2051: FRENCH LANGUAGE 2

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (French)

FREN2051: FRENCH LANGUAGE 2

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap 240 Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • French Language 1 (FREN1011) or equivalent.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • French Language 2 and Year Abroad (FREN2071). Not available to students following the European Studies programme; French in Society II (LANG2051)

Aims

  • The second-year core language module in French aims to develop students’ knowledge of and ability to express themselves in French
  • The translation/composition class aims to develop students' ability to write effectively in French for a variety of purposes (essays, articles, reviews) and to translate fluently and accurately from and into French, whilst also consolidating grammar knowledge and vocabulary acquisition
  • The oral class aims to help students to develop their spoken French as they take part in informal conversation and discussions and give presentations
  • The module also aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of French culture and their awareness of cultural issues.

Content

  • The module is taught in two weekly one-hour classes: translation/composition and oral. The translation/composition class is taught in English and French; the oral class is taught in French
  • Work in the translation class is based on texts from module booklet 1 (Translation/Composition), with an emphasis on cross-cultural themes and issues of current interest
  • Work in the oral class is based on module booklet 2 (Oral) and on the broad theme of ‘aspects of contemporary France’, with a particular emphasis on the working environment in France and the French education system
  • The module booklets and other course materials have been developed to help students to prepare both for the end-of-year examinations and for final year study.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students will have acquired a greater knowledge and understanding of French culture and an increased awareness of cultural issues.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students will have consolidated the skills and knowledge acquired in the first-year core language module – in speaking and writing, in listening to and reading contemporary French, in translating from and into French.
Key Skills:

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

    • Year 2: regular, assessed practice in a variety of written and oral exercises extends linguistic accuracy and verbal manipulation.
    • these exercises include some relevant to functioning well in a French-speaking country.
    • Summative assessment tests competencies acquired in formative practice.
    • Year abroad assessment consists of an essay to demonstrate: accuracy of language.
    • appropriateness of language (register and idiom).
    • range of language (lexis and structures).
    • originality of content (evidence of personal experience and response.
    • sophistication of reflection and analysis.
    • insight into the target language culture).
    • quality of information in content (breadth and/or depth of information).
    • structure and presentation.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Translation Class 20 1 per week 1 hour 20
    Oral Class 20 1 per week 1 hour 20
    Preparation and Reading 160
    Total 200

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Examination Component Weighting: 75%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    two-hour unseen written examination 100%
    Component: Oral Examination Component Weighting: 25%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    15 minute oral examination 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    Regular language exercises.


    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