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PL11016: Introduction to French: language and society

[Page last updated: 02 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 24 [equivalent to 48 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 480
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CW 20%, ES 20%, EX 40%, OR 20%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 10%)
  • Coursework (CW 10%)
  • Essay (ES 20%)
  • Oral Examination (OR 20%)
  • Examination (EX 40%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
* Demonstrate good knowledge of basic grammar structures and be able to use and understand more complex structures of the French language;
* Use grammar structures in written texts mostly in areas of simple narration and immediate need and use more complex structures correctly in longer written texts;
* Display command of several basic communicative functions and of a broader range of vocabulary;
* Demonstrate oral skills in a variety of familiar subjects;
* Demonstrate an understanding of French political and cultural trend.

Aims: This unit is intended for students with no prior knowledge of French but who wish to fast-track their study of the language to achieve levels equivalent to students completing advanced language programmes.
While the focus of this unit is on language acquisition, students will also be provided with an introduction to the politics and culture of the countries where their language of study is spoken. This gives them the necessary knowledge to engage with contemporary topical debates and understand up-to-date material studied in class.

Skills: Precision and creativity in the use of basic written language and in areas of practical need and narration of events towards the end of the academic year;
* Make simple and effective oral statements in the target language and effective communication in the target language in a variety of real- life situations;
* Independent learning strategies.

Content: The course begins with an intensive introduction to the foundations of the language allowing students to progress rapidly. Students will develop integrated skills in written and spoken language, receive a solid grounding in grammar and will be able to produce effective communication in the target language in a variety of real-life situations.
Students will also gain a basic understanding of political and cultural life in France.

Programme availability:

PL11016 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB43 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio French) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB31 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (German and ab initio French) with Year Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHPL-AYB32 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages (Spanish and ab initio French) with Year Abroad (Year 1)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.