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

Undergraduate Handbook 2016-2017 (archived)

Module FREN1011: FRENCH LANGUAGE 1

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (French)

FREN1011: FRENCH LANGUAGE 1

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Open 1 20 Available in 2016/2017 200 Durham

Pre-requisites

  • Grade A in French at A level or an equivalent qualification, subject to decision by the module’s language coordinator

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations

  • Any French modules offerd in the Centre for Foreign Langauges Study

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

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Practicals 42 2 Per Week 1 Hour 42 Yes
Preparation and Reading 158
Total 200

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written examination 75% Written Examination 2 hours 100% Yes
Oral examination 25% Oral Examination 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.