French Advanced One
| Module title | French Advanced One |
|---|---|
| Module code | PLF3430 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Miss Caroline Blay (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
French Advanced One develops communicative language skills (linguistics, sociolinguistics and pragmatics) and communication strategies at the B2 level of the Common European Framework for Languages – CEFR, where students tackle material with a critical perspective.
To do so, it is based on advanced 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 advanced grammatical and lexical structures.
The module is taught mostly in the target language, French.
French Advanced One 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 Advanced One is intended for students who have an A level (Grade A*-B) or equivalent (IB5-7, Delf B1, or evidence of intermediate-level accomplishment as Entry level).
On completion of this module, students will be at the level of a solid B2 (as Exit level) - Independent User of the Common European Framework for Languages, and be able to:
- Review and consolidate the advanced structures of the target language, developing both vocabulary and range of language structures thus equipping students with the linguistic tools to enable them to communicate effectively in everyday and academic situations
- Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without much strain and produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options
- Further develop and embed active and passive language skills, including comprehension skills in listening and reading, with particular emphasis placed on the skills necessary for effective oral and written communication in the target language at an advanced level
- Build on knowledge of the sociocultural aspects of the regions/countries in which the language is spoken and continue to develop transferable and intercultural skills necessary for studying and/or working abroad in a Francophone country
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 advanced grammatical structures of the target language
- 2. Read and comprehend demanding, written and aural texts on both concrete and abstract topics in the target language, including articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes and viewpoints
- 3. Communicate fluently and effectively, both orally and in writing, and use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes and produce clear, well-structured written text on complex subjects, expressing points of view at some length
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate autonomy in language learning, with reduced direction from the teacher
- 5. Combine specialised learning aids in a variety of media to class notes and material, including an advanced reference grammar and specialist dictionary, to consolidate their learning
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Work creatively and flexibly, react and adapt to situations as appropriate and solve problem
- 7. Indicate developing skills of self-study and their application and report an awareness of and sensitivity to the foreign culture
Syllabus plan
The module provides a systematic approach to acquiring advanced grammar structures in a communicative context and in accordance with the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Main grammar: Past tenses, agreement of past participles, subjunctive, logical connectors (cause, consequence and aim, opposition and restriction), simple and complex relative pronouns, passive, future tenses, expression of hypothesis and conditional, comparison, direct & indirect object pronouns, language registers, indirect speech, etc
- Main Topics: Identities, Health, Migrations, Cities, Work, Arts, ‘Francophonie’, Ecology and global engagement, etc
- Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as pair / group work, and include the study of texts with comprehension exercises, oral development work and listening comprehension exercises
- You will be expected to spend time studying outside the class (between 3-5 hours per week) and we provide guidance, facilities and materials to help you develop your expertise as an independent language learner
For this module, you will be asked to consolidate your class work by learning vocabulary and structures, and by reading, watching or listening to material in French. You will also be expected to complete exercises on a self-study basis, prepare exercises and activities for the class, write assignments and generally acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies (such as proofreading, self-editing and self-correcting).
You will receive regular feedback on your progress from class activities, homework assignments and formative assessment tasks. You will also receive formal feedback on summative assessments such as the In-Class Test, including suggestions on how to improve and identify your own strategies for improvement.
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 | 66 | Language classes |
| Guided independent study | 234 | Consolidation of class work by learning vocabulary and structures, and by reading, watching or listening to material in French |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 formative tasks covering some or all of the following areas: grammar, writing, listening, reading, speaking. | Variable | 1-7 | Written and oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 25 | 25 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral examination | 25 | 10-12 minutes | 1-4, 6=7 | Written and oral |
| Written Examination | 25 | 1.5 hours | 1-7 | Written and oral |
| Portfolio | 50 | Variable | 1-7 | Written and oral |
| 0 | ||||
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral examination | Oral examination | 1-4, 6-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Written examination | Written examination | 1-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Portfolio | Portfolio | 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
- Main course book: Alter Ego + B2 (livre élève + CD-Rom) by Catherine Dollez, Sylvie Pons, Marine Antier, Joëlle Bonenfant, Gabrielle Chort, Michel Guilloux edited by Hachette FLE. Code ISBN: 9782014015508
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Grammar book: Help Yourself to Advanced French Grammar : A Grammar Reference and Workbook Post-GCSE/Advanced Level (2nd Edition) by Thaila Marriott, Mirielle Ribiere edited by Longman Code ISBN: 978-0582329454
- Dictionary: Collins/Robert French Dictionary or Oxford/Hachette French Dictionary
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | Completion of PLF2330, A-level in French (A-B) or equivalent |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 31/01/2017 |
| Last revision date | 03/10/2022 |
