Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML, this module will:

1. Focus on further developing students' written and oral communicative competences in the target language (including fluency, grammatical and lexical accuracy and range; register and pronunciation);

2. Prepare students for the future study of the target language (including written and oral communicative skills, and intercultural awareness and competence) and/ or for their future learning experience (including independent learning and study skills; reflective skills and self-regulation);

3. Facilitate students' ability to establish and maintain effective social and working relations with speakers of the target language in written and spoken media. This includes students' ability to use and understand authentic material and produce their own written and spoken output.

Outline Of Syllabus

Students cover a variety of topics related to contemporary French (and Francophone) society, and / or relevant to Contemporary societies and cultures. Depending on student feedback, these may include:

1. Ethical / controversial current issues
2. Culture and Traditions / Cultural issues
3. French Languages and registers
4. Current Affairs

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1. Teaching in the language seminars will focus on oral communication skills (speaking and listening) while reading and writing skills are mainly developed in the preparation of and the associated work after the language seminar.

2. The one-hour grammar lectures will focus on the formal structures of the language and key study skills. Students will work through independent study materials (exercises and recorded videos) at home to reinforce and consolidate the content covered in the lectures.

3. Independent learning and learner autonomy are further developed through the means of structured homework and research activities, pair and group work and self-study at home via the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Canvas and the Language Resource Centre. Particular initiative is expected from students at this level, e.g. course participants will be asked to contribute their own materials to the classes and activities and be very pro-active in their language study.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

- The oral examination (30%) will take place at the end of Semester 2. It will test students’ ability to conduct independent research, critically evaluate authentic material, and to produce and present their own output orally in a clear and structured manner. It will also assess their ability to speak freely, understand aural and/or audio visual input, and interact in a discussion on these findings and on general matters.

- The final written exam at the end of Semester 2 (70%) will take place during the exam period and will test the students’ ability to produce and present a well-structured text or texts in the target language. Students may be allowed to type their own answers provided that spell check / grammar check has been disabled. This formal examination provides summative information to staff and student on student's achievement in the target language at the end of this module.