Module CFLS1F41: French Stage 4

Department: Centre for Foreign Language Study

CFLS1F41: French Stage 4

Prerequisites

• Successful completion of French Stage 3, Grade B or above in A-Level French, or an equivalent proficiency corresponding to B1 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 widen further the knowledge of the French language, including grammar and lexis.
• To enhance communicative proficiency in French, in both writing and oral interaction.
• To develop further listening and reading skills.
• To broaden the knowledge of contemporary French-speaking societies.
• To develop intercultural awareness.
• To gain a language proficiency level in French equivalent to B2.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Content

• This module aims to consolidate and extend students’ competence in the French language while fostering intercultural understanding and reflective learning. Building on prior study, it develops learners’ ability to communicate with increasing accuracy, independence, and sensitivity to context. Through engagement with authentic materials, collaborative projects, and critical reflection, students enhance their linguistic skills, deepen their awareness of Francophone cultures, and strengthen key graduate attributes such as open mindedness, curiosity, creativity and intellectual ambition and rigour.
• Course book materials will be supplemented with multimedia resources available online. There will be two one-hour seminars a week, which will be used to consolidate and develop grammatical and lexical knowledge as well as to practice oral, aural and writing skills.

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of the module, learners should be able to:
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of some historical, social and political aspects of contemporary French-speaking countries. 
• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the cultures and societies in France and French-speaking countries gained through the study of authentic materials.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of French grammatical structures, syntactic patterns, and appropriate register, and apply these accurately and effectively in producing and interpreting a range of text types (including academic, journalistic, literary, and digital formats), in line with B2.1 CEFR descriptors for linguistic range and control.

• On successful completion of the module, learners should be able to:
• Understand the main ideas and supporting details of complex written and spoken texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including cultural and societal issues.
• Produce a variety of texts including creative texts and argument-based texts demonstrating logical organisation and appropriate use of cohesive devices.
• Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity in the target language
• Communicate information in French through a variety of means such as presentations and structured conversations;
• Apply a range of grammatical principles with a good level of accuracy and flexibility.
• Use a range of language learning techniques and skills effectively by independently developing strategies to extend their lexis and knowledge of grammar. 
• Make effective use of language focussed reference material such as grammar resources, dictionaries, and online tools including but not restricted to AI (as and when appropriate), applying strategies for autonomous language learning
• Demonstrate the ability to carry out basic research in the target language and present an oral and written summary.

• On successful completion of the module, learners should be able to:
• Demonstrate the ability to comprehend and interpret the main ideas and key arguments in more complex written texts and spoken French on general and cultural topics.
• Engage in spoken interaction with sufficient fluency and spontaneity to enable effective communication in the target language.
• Produce clear, coherent, and detailed written texts on a range of subjects, articulating viewpoints on topical issues and presenting reasoned arguments with supporting advantages and disadvantages.
• Reflect on personal language learning progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Independently use digital tools and online resources to expand lexical range and reinforce grammatical accuracy, applying strategies for autonomous language learning in line with CEFR descriptors for learner autonomy.

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.

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.