French for Proficient Speakers
| Module title | French for Proficient Speakers |
|---|---|
| Module code | FLF3930 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Mrs Florence Gomez (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
French for Proficient Students develops communicative language skills (linguistics, sociolinguistics and pragmatics) and communication strategies at the C2 level of the Common European Framework for Languages – CEFR, where students analyse, criticise/question and summarise/synthesise the content of several written and aural documents on the same topic, but shedding light on different aspects.
To do so, it is based on proficient communicative activities such as reception, production and interaction and advocates an action-orientated approach of language teaching and learning.
This module develops all four core language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing as well as proficient grammatical and lexical structures.
The module is taught entirely in the target language, French.
French for Proficient Students can be taken towards achieving ‘with advanced proficiency in French”, see http://humanities.exeter.ac.uk/flc/undergraduate/proficiency/.
Module aims - intentions of the module
French for Near Natives is intended for students with a near proficient level of French who have successfully completed FLF3614-30 French for Business or FLF3715-30 French Advanced 3 or who have an A Level plus 3 years of further study on an Advanced course or equivalent (evidence of advanced-level accomplishment as Entry level) or who may have spent a recent period of study or work or life in a Francophone country (e.g. on a ‘with European Study’ pathway) or who are speaking French at home with one of their parents.
On completion of this module, students will have a level equivalent to C2 (as Exit level) - Proficient User of the Common European Framework for Languages, and they will be able to:
- review and consolidate effective operational proficient structures of the French language to communicate spontaneously for academic and specific purposes
- further develop and embed active and passive proficient language skills, including comprehension skills in listening and reading, with particular emphasis placed on proficient skills necessary for effective oral and written communication in French at a proficient level to engage in analysis, criticism/questioning and summarising / synthesising the content of several written and aural documents on the same topic, but with various approaches
- explain a wide range of demanding, longer and complex texts, and recognise implicit meaning, including any sub-textual or stylistic nuances and produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices to develop a well-structured argument
- identify socio-cultural aspects of the regions/countries in which French is spoken, to refine transferable intercultural skills necessary for living and working abroad and to use the language proficiently in a social, professional or academic context
- work specifically on written French to filter common near-native fossilised errors such as spelling, accents, verb-endings, agreements and gender, but also on complex structures and formal written style expression
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate competence in the use of a wide range of complex language in French and do research
- 2. Read, comprehend, question and summarise a wide range of demanding, longer written and aural texts in most registers on a range of topics in French, including articles and reports concerned with current affairs in which the writers adopt particular attitudes and viewpoints as well as implicit and connoted information
- 3. Communicate confidently, proficiently and naturally in a wide range of situations, both orally and in writing, on complex and abstract topics and demonstrate ability to research a specialist topic, extracting and summarising key information from a range of written and spoken sources, and produce a written portfolio of material to a high professional standard
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate proficient levels of autonomy in language learning and ability to research a project, with minimal direction from the teacher
- 5. Combine specialised learning aids in a variety of media to class material and personal research, including a proficient reference grammar and specialist/for specific or academic purposes dictionary, to consolidate your learning
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Work spontaneously with others as part of a team or as a leader, anticipate unexpected situations and solve a wide range of problems effectively
- 7. Practice self-study, further reading on class material individually and autonomously and relate to the foreign culture
- 8. Make presentations on a range of concrete and abstract subjects and explain/defend your view point in debate as well as prove your point in disagreement expressing yourself confidently, very fluently and accurately, differentiating finer shades of meaning in more complex situations
Syllabus plan
The module provides a systematic approach to acquiring proficient grammar structures in a communicative context and in accordance with the integrated skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
At this level, you are expected to:
- demonstrate a near native competence in the use of all proficient grammatical structures.
- follow weekly French national and international news and their global causes and consequences.
- analyse, comment, research, compare sources and propose solutions to societal issues dealt with in class.
- showcase personal analysis and researched knowledge to engage in contemporary debates.
The grammatical work will focus on remedial revision/consolidation of typical near-native fossilised grammar inaccuracies as required.
The main Topics will be the various aspects of French and Francophone societal issues such as historic, politic, philosophic, social, ethic, scientific, social, etc. debates.
Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as pair / group work/ class debate, and include the study of several longer texts to compare, contrast and question topical ideas with listening & reading comprehension exercises and oral development work.
You will be expected to spend time studying outside the class and we provide guidance, facilities and materials to help you develop your expertise as a proficient language learner.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | 234 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 66 | Language classes |
| Guided Independent Study | 234 | Consolidate class work by learning vocabulary and structures, and by reading, watching or listening to material from a wide range of sources in French. Prepare exercises and activities for class, write assignments and further develop a repertoire of effective language learning strategies. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 formative tasks per year (grammar and vocabulary, writing, reading and listening comprehension) | Variable | 1-7 | Written and oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | 0 | 65 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-class test (reading and writing) | 25 | 2 hours | 1-3, 7 | Written & oral |
| Oral test (listening and speaking) | 25 | 20-25 minutes | 1-3, 6-8 | Written (upon request) |
| Projet de recherche | 35 | 1600-1800 words | 1-7 | Written |
| In-class oral presentation on projet de recherche | 15 | 10 minutes + debate | 1-8 | Written & oral |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-class test (25%) | Written examination | 1-3, 7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Oral test (30%) | Oral test | 1-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Projet de recherché (45%) | Dossier | 1-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
You will only be required to retake any failed assessments. Marks for any passed assessments will be carried forward. If you have failed any assessments but managed to pass the module overall, you will not be allowed to retake the failed assessments.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- There is no coursebook for this module, but a study pack posted online on the ELE page
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2591
- French TV and radio: TV show C’est dans l’air on France 5 and news report Arte Journal on Arte
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Grammaire progressive du français niveau Perfectionnement avec 600 exercices, by Maïa Grégoire, edited by Clé International. CODE ISBN: 978-2090353594
- Dictionary: Collins/Robert French Dictionary or Oxford/Hachette French
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | Completion of FLF3615/3630 or FLF3715/3730 or equivalent |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/01/2017 |
| Last revision date | 28/07/2020 |
