Module CFLS1F21: French Stage 2

Department: Centre for Foreign Language Study

CFLS1F21: French Stage 2

Prerequisites

• Successful completion of French Stage 1, Grade 6 or above in GCSE French, or an equivalent qualification corresponding to A1 of the Common European Framework (CEFR). No higher French language entry qualification permitted. In borderline cases, consultation with the module convenor is required to determine the appropriate level.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Any language module offered by the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.

Aims

• To consolidate and revise prior knowledge of French.
• To develop competence in reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
• To enable students to communicate effectively in everyday social contexts.
• To extend vocabulary and deepen understanding of grammar.
• To promote intercultural awareness and understanding of French-speaking societies.
• To gain a language proficiency level in French equivalent to A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Content

• This module aims to consolidate and extend students’ competence in the French language as they progress from A1 towards an emerging A2 level. Through engagement with authentic materials, interactive tasks, and intercultural exploration, learners develop their ability to communicate with increasing accuracy, independence, and sensitivity to context. The module also fosters reflective learning strategies that support autonomy and sustained progress. By the end of the module, students will have strengthened their linguistic skills, deepened their awareness of French-speaking societies, and enhanced key graduate attributes such as communication, curiosity, empathy and open mindedness.

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of this module, learners should be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key French linguistic principles, including basic grammatical structures (e.g., present and past tenses, modal verbs) and sentence patterns, in line with CEFR A2 descriptors.
• Use a range of vocabulary and expressions to communicate on familiar topics such as personal information, daily routines, shopping and travel.
• Read and understand short, simple texts on familiar subjects, identifying main ideas and specific information.
• Understand and produce simple connected text.
• Comprehend short, clear spoken messages and conversations on everyday matters.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of selected aspects of French-speaking societies, gained through engagement with cultural topics and authentic materials.

• On successful completion of the module, learners should be able to:
• Understand and use simple sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of immediate relevance.
• Interact in routine tasks and short social exchanges in French, handling predictable situations and some less familiar ones by expressing opinions, describing experiences, and using strategies to clarify meaning and maintain interaction when needed.
• Produce connected speech and short texts using a range of basic grammatical structures, everyday vocabulary, and simple cohesive devices to communicate with increasing accuracy and fluency.
• Comprehend authentic spoken and written materials on familiar topics and identify key information in texts and conversations, even when some elements are unfamiliar.
• Make effective use of reference resources (e.g., grammars, dictionaries) to support communication and language development.
• Apply language learning strategies independently to expand vocabulary and consolidate knowledge of grammar beyond the classroom.

• On successful completion of the module, learners should be able to:
• Narrate a simple story and summarise the plot of a book or film using basic structures and vocabulary in the target language.
• Organise ideas in a clear and logical sequence, both orally and in writing, to convey meaning effectively.
• Produce short texts in a variety of formats, including creative and simple argument-based texts, demonstrating the ability to structure ideas coherently.
• Retrieve, process, and reference information from a range of sources, including print, audio-visual, and digital materials.
• Use technology, including but not limited to AI tools and digital resources (e.g., online dictionaries, grammar checkers, and language apps), both as a an aid to language learning and independent study.
• Apply strategies for self-monitoring and error correction, demonstrating awareness of common mistakes and ways to improve accuracy.

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

• This module is delivered through seminar style classes. Contact time will be used to introduce new material and provide the students with high quality target language input from the module tutor and multimedia sources. 
• In preparation for each session students will be expected to revise new material and complete formative language exercises. 
• The assessment scheme for this module is designed to test students' level of attainment in language production (speaking and writing) and reception (listening and reading). 
• To reflect the continuous nature of the language learning process the module will be assessed by a combination of formative and summative in-course assessment. Summative assessments will also fulfil a formative function since feedback on summative in-course assessments will be made available to students. 
• In alignment with the Principles for Learning, Teaching & Assessment teaching and learning take place through a combination of interactive language classes and guided independent study. Activities are designed to promote active use of the target language, engagement with authentic and creative materials, and development of critical and reflective skills. Assessment is based on integrated performance tasks that test reading, writing, listening, and speaking, together with reflective components that support students’ awareness of their learning process.
• The written projects usually comprise of a series of tasks based on a prompt or stimuli.
• Time dedicated to the Oral Examinations factors in turnaround time, and are usually done under exam conditions and held in person.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Regular homework/assignments will be given to the students to practise and consolidate what they have done in class and to prepare the following session, some of which will be submitted and marked as formative assignments and regular feedback will be given to the students accordingly.

■ 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.