Module CFLS1F51: French Stage 5

Department: Centre for Foreign Language Study

CFLS1F51: French Stage 5

Prerequisites

• Successful completion of French Stage 4, or an equivalent proficiency corresponding to B2.1 of the Common European Framework (CEFR). No higher entry French language 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 orally (presentation and interaction).
• To develop further listening and reading skills.
• To broaden the knowledge of contemporary France and the Francophone world.
• To develop intercultural awareness.
• To gain a language proficiency level in French equivalent to B2.2 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.
• The development of the students' language skills (reading, writing, listening, spoken production and interaction) will be integrated into a framework focussing on various aspects of contemporary France and other French-speaking countries (culture, politics, everyday life, social issues, etc);
• Students engage in a broad range of communicative tasks involving written, spoken, and audio-visual materials, aimed at reinforcing comprehension and production skills in real-world contexts. The module reflects the diversity of the French-speaking world by incorporating authentic materials from various French-speaking countries, regions and communities worldwide. This approach engages students with linguistic variation and cultural contexts in different French-speaking societies.
• Course book materials will be supplemented with multimedia resources available online;
• There will be two one-hour language classes 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 France and the French-speaking world. 
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the cultures and societies in France and French-speaking countries gained through the study of cultural products.
• 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 B2.2 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.
• Communicate information in French through a variety of means such as presentations and structured conversations.
• Enter unprepared into conversation on issues related to unfamiliar topics of a complex nature.
• Engage in structured debates or discussions on current social and political issues in French.
• Use appropriate register and tone in formal and informal written communication.
• Understand and report on the main points of clear standard speech and authentic aural passages on various topics, and argue complex points in a convincing manner. 
• Summarise complex texts, opinions and/or views of complex topics in a logical and effective manner. 
• Apply a range of grammatical principles at an advanced level. 
• Use a range of language learning techniques and skills effectively by independently developing strategies to extend their lexis and knowledge of grammar. 
• Research unfamiliar subjects and explain them in French.
• 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 in line with CEFR descriptors for learner autonomy.

• On successful completion of the module, learners should be able to:
• Communicate information in French through a variety of means such as presentations and structured conversations. 
• Produce a variety of texts including creative texts and argument-based texts demonstrating the ability to organise ideas in a logical and coherent sequence in sustained prose.
• Independently gather, process and reference information from a variety of paper, audio-visual and electronic resources. 
• Express ideas fluently and without much obvious searching for expressions. 
• Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. 
• Critically reflect on personal language learning progress and adapt them to new challenges.
• Effectively collaborate in group tasks using French as the working language.

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, 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.