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

Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)

Module FREN3041: French Language 4

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (French)

FREN3041: French Language 4

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Tied	3	20	Available in 2025/2026	None	Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

French Language 2 (FREN2051) or equivalent.

Corequisites

At least one additional level 3 module in French Studies

Excluded Combinations

None

Aims

To obtain an excellent standard in written and spoken French, and in the comprehension of spoken and written French at the level of sophisticated, contemporary discourse.

Content

Written language classes are taught and assessed in French. Students will work each week on a range of media covering themes relating to francophone language, culture, and society. Set exercises will include the critical summary of written texts, essay writing, grammar revision and vocabulary work.
Weekly classes with lectures/lectrices: class discussion of pre-arranged topics and linguistic points, presentation of oral 'exposes' on topics related to current affairs, using current French press and TV as source.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

On successful completion of the module, students will have gained enhanced knowledge of the French language and of aspects of life in contemporary France.

Subject-specific Skills

Students will have improved their comprehension of contemporary French idiom and their oral and written communications skills in terms of accuracy, fluency and appropriate linguistic register.

Key Skills

Extended development of general written and oral communication skills.
The ability to discuss topical or general issues with a high degree of fluency.
An extended ability to gather, process and evaluate critically information and evidence from a variety of paper, audiovisual and electronic sources.
An extended ability to read complex and multivalent text with intellectual nuance, and a sensitivity to context and genre.

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

Two weekly classes. Students are required to attend all classes for written and spoken language and to prepare written work as detailed in this guide. This module is taught and assessed in French.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Oral	20	1 per week	1 hour	20	Yes
Tutorial	20	1 per week	1 hour	20	Yes
Preparation and Reading				160
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting
Written Assessment	50%	Continuous assessment of written skills		25%
Written Assessment	50%	Written Examination (in person)	2 hours	75%
Oral Assessment	50%	Continuous assessment of oral skills		25%
Oral Assessment	50%	Oral Examination (in person)	15 minutes	75%

Formative Assessment

Regular language exercises.

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.