This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module FREN1011: FRENCH LANGUAGE 1

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (French)

FREN1011: FRENCH LANGUAGE 1

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	1	20	Available in 2010/2011	250	Durham

Pre-requisites

B in French at A level (or its equivalent).

Corequisites

Modern European Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: One further Level 1 French module from: Reading French Literature (FREN1031), Literature and Society in the 20th Century (FREN1041) or Language Power and the Making of the French Nation (FREN1051). Other: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative..

Excluded Combinations

None.

Aims

To further improve the skills acquired at A-level in speaking and listening, reading and writing.

Content

The module is taught in two strands: in the grammar/translation class, students consolidate their grammar knowledge and develop their translation skills through a variety of grammar-based language exercises and the translation of texts from French into English.
in the oral class, students develop their speaking skills through a range of oral exercises (conversation, discussion and individual presentations), their aural comprehension skills through related online listening exercises and their reading and writing skills through text-based comprehension and writing exercises.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Consolidated knowledge regarding the structure of the French language and an understanding of a range of basic translation issues.

Subject-specific Skills

Increased confidence, fluency and accuracy in both productive (spoken and written) and receptive (listening and reading) skills in French.

Key Skills

The development of general written and oral communication.
The ability to discuss topical or general issues.
The ability to gather and process information and evidence from a variety of paper, audiovisual and electronic sources.
The ability to read complex and multivalent texts.
The ability to use ICT effectively both as a means of communication and as an aid to learning.
The ability to work independently.

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

The module is taught in two strands: in the grammar/translation class, students consolidate their grammar knowledge and develop their translation skills through a variety of grammar-based language exercises and the translation of texts from French into English
in the oral class, students develop their speaking skills through a range of oral exercises (conversation, discussion and individual presentations), their aural comprehension skills through related online listening exercises and their reading and writing skills through text-based comprehension and writing exercises.
In each strand, student preparation and class work, formative exercises and feedback are precisely modelled on the summative assessments which have been devised to meet the learning outcomes.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Practicals	42	2 Per Week	1 Hour	42	Yes
Preparation and Reading				158
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Written examination - 1.5 hours	50%	Translation		50%	Yes
Written examination - 1.5 hours	50%	Resume & paraphrases		50%	Yes
Online Grammar Test	25%	Online Grammar Test	45 mins	100%	Yes
Oral examination	25%	Oral presentation	10 mins	100%	Yes

Formative Assessment

Regular exercises for written and oral; online exercises (duo).

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.