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FR101-30 French Language I

Department
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
Level
Undergraduate Level 1
Module leader
Kelly Mayjonade Christy
Credit value
30
Module duration
21 weeks
Assessment
30% coursework, 70% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

This module will consolidate existing skills in language acquired at A level or equivalent and extend them through translation, writing, reading, speaking and listening activities.

A range of assessments will be offered for students to track and reflect on their progress through the provision of regular feedback. Students will also be provided with complementary autonomous learning activities and directed to appropriate activities for self-study in order to develop independent learning strategies.

Module web page

Module aims

The aim of this module is to encourage and enable students to develop further their knowledge and competence in French language acquired at A level or equivalent, in alignment with the B2 goals of the CEFR. The module will be shaped around the four key skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. It will offer a grounding in the fundamental tenets of grammar and in the skills of translation and writing. It will also provide a sound understanding of register and develop competence in vocabulary acquisition, both general and specialised.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Grammar

Translation
Translation into French for the purposes of building syntactical awareness, grammatical accuracy and vocabulary acquisition.
Translation into English building techniques and translation strategies at word, sentence and text level

Writing and Reading French
Essay – form, content, methodology
Promotional task – form, content, methodology
Analysis of 4 set topics (La France et ses banlieues; mondialisation/demondialisation/altermondialisation; la transition energetique et la jeunesse; patrimoine et identites)

Oral
Discussion of textual and audio-visual material around c. 8 set topics; pronunciation work; group presentations

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Accurate reading skills that include anticipating comprehension problems deriving from syntax, lexis and grammar
  • Thorough grounding in writing skills in various genres, registers and styles
  • A sound understanding of the challenges inherent in translation into English (syntax, register, idiom) leading to the development of a range of translation strategies
  • A systematic approach to proof reading with due attention to accuracy
  • Accurate and idiomatic listening and speaking skills that include anticipating common areas of misunderstanding
  • Sound understanding of selected aspects of contemporary French society and culture
  • Development of independent language-learning skills
  • The development of syntactical awareness, grammatical accuracy and vocabulary acquisition through translation into French
  • Thorough grounding in the fundamental tenets of grammar, ensuring a firm platform for honours level study
International

All modules delivered in SMLC are necessarily international. Students engage with themes and ideas from a culture other than that of the UK and employ their linguistic skills in the analysis of primary materials from a non-Anglophone context. Students will also be encouraged to draw on the experiences of visiting exchange students in the classroom and will frequently engage with theoretical and critical frameworks from across the world.

Subject specific skills

This module will build students’ linguistic skills through activities that stimulate authentic target language production and develop sensitivity to the transference of meaning across languages. Students will work towards the production of nuanced, accurate and contextually sensitive materials through a range of language classes and guided independent learning.

Transferable skills

All SMLC culture modules demand critical and analytical engagement with artefacts from target-language cultures. In the course of independent study, class work and assessment students will develop the following skills: written and oral communication, creative and critical thinking, problem solving and analysis, time management and organisation, independent research in both English and their target language(s), intercultural understanding and the ability to mediate between languages and cultures, ICT literacy in both English and the target language(s), personal responsibility and the exercise of initiative.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 20 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Seminars 20 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Practical classes 20 sessions of 2 hours (14%)
Private study 196 hours (71%)
Total 276 hours
Private study description

Grammar exercises

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group D5
Weighting Study time
Assessed Coursework - Weekly Grammar Tests Term 2 5% 6 hours

Students to be assessed through grammar exercises most weeks testing their knowledge on the grammatical points covered in term 2. No pass mark.

Assessed Coursework - Weekly Grammar Tests Term 1 5% 6 hours

Students to be assessed through grammar exercises most weeks testing their knowledge on the grammatical points covered in term 1. No pass mark.

End of Term 1 - Online Grammar and Translation Test 10% 4 hours

A 1h examination online testing students on the grammar skills covered in term 1. Some general questions and a short passage of targeted translation into French.

End of Term 2 - Online Grammar and Translation Test 10% 4 hours

A 1h examination online testing students on the grammar skills covered in term 2. Some general questions and a short passage of targeted translation into French.

Oral exam (10 mins) 20% 1 hour

Oral exam, 10 min.

In-person Examination 50% 3 hours

Two components: a writing assignment (500 words) and a translation into English (200-220 words)


  • Answerbook Green (8 page)
Feedback on assessment

In-class / online methods: oral feedback, peer discussion, self-correction and scrutiny of common errors.
Outside-class methods: provision of written and video feedback, as well as oral feedback in face to face, individual meetings.

Past exam papers for FR101

Post-requisite modules

If you pass this module, you can take:

  • FR233-15 Bestsellers of the 19th Century
  • FR201-30 Modern French Language II

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 1 of UFRA-R101 Undergraduate French Studies
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R1Q2 Undergraduate French Studies with Linguistics
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R1Q3 Undergraduate French and Linguistics
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R1A0 Undergraduate French with Chinese
  • Year 1 of UFRA-R1WA Undergraduate French with Film Studies
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R1A2 Undergraduate French with German
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R1A3 Undergraduate French with Italian
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R1A8 Undergraduate French with Japanese
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R1A7 Undergraduate French with Russian
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R1A4 Undergraduate French with Spanish
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R9Q2 Undergraduate Modern Languages with Linguistics
  • Year 1 of UPOA-M163 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and French

This module is Core optional for:

  • Year 1 of UETA-Q1A1 Undergraduate Linguistics with French (with Intercalated Year)
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R9Q1 Undergraduate Modern Languages and Linguistics
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R9Q2 Undergraduate Modern Languages with Linguistics
  • Year 1 of UPOA-M163 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and French

This module is Core option list A for:

  • UFRA-R10P Undergraduate French Studies
    • Year 1 of R10P French Studies (Part-Time)
    • Year 1 of R10P French Studies (Part-Time)
  • Year 1 of ULNA-RR14 Undergraduate French and German
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R4RF Undergraduate Hispanic Studies and French
  • Year 1 of UFRA-R900 Undergraduate Modern Languages
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R9L1 Undergraduate Modern Languages and Economics (4-year)

This module is Core option list B for:

  • UFRA-R10P Undergraduate French Studies
    • Year 1 of R10P French Studies (Part-Time)
    • Year 1 of R10P French Studies (Part-Time)

This module is Core option list C for:

  • Year 1 of UFRA-R900 Undergraduate Modern Languages

This module is Core option list E for:

  • Year 1 of ULNA-R9L1 Undergraduate Modern Languages and Economics (4-year)

This module is Core option list G for:

  • Year 1 of ULNA-R9L1 Undergraduate Modern Languages and Economics (4-year)
  • Year 1 of ULNA-R9Q1 Undergraduate Modern Languages and Linguistics