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

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.