Accessibility statement

Ab Initio French language skills - LAN00049C

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Angela O'Flaherty
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module summary

This module will support students with no prior knowledge of French who want to embark on a journey to achieving proficiency at the end of the programme. The focus is on the development of effective communication skills from beginners level to lower intermediate level (B1 according to CEFR).

Related modules

This module is to be taken together with the two other new Ab initio French modules (Ab initio French Language & Society and Ab initio French Grammar).

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module is intended to develop language skills at a very quick pace and introduce the structures, lexicon and skills necessary to communicate in the foreign language. The focus will be on communicative skills and strategies for successful oral and written communication. It will equip students with the knowledge, tools and techniques necessary for effective independent language learning. Students will practice grammatical structures in different contexts.

Module learning outcomes

After satisfactorily completing the course you should be able to:

analyse language in context

show an understanding of key aspects of French

communicate in the foreign language using grammar appropriately

reflect on the skills required for effective language learning

acquire language independently through personal reading and listening

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Ab initio French language skills		 3 hours 60
Essay/coursework
Open paper 1		 N/A 20
Essay/coursework
Open paper 2		 N/A 20

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Additional assessment information

Formative work is embedded throughout the module. Regular written and oral tasks will prepare students for the summative assessments.

The module is reassessed at the component level.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Ab initio French language skills		 3 hours 60
Essay/coursework
Open paper 1		 N/A 20
Essay/coursework
Open paper 2		 N/A 20

Module feedback

Formative work and feedback

Weekly formative exercises carried out.

Written comments and mark on university scale given to individual students for practice essays, with opportunity for individual consultation.

Model answers may be given for class exercises with class discussion of difficulties.

Formative Written work will be returned within 2 weeks.

Oral commentary and dialogue within class on oral and written work. Given immediately both to individuals and to the group.

Oral commentary and dialogue on seminar presentation, written feedback sheet given to the individual presenter following the seminar.

Summative Assessment and feedback

There are three components to the final assessment:

Open Assessment 1 to be submitted in week 10, Term 1

Open Assessment 2 to be submitted in week 10, Term 2

A 24-hour online exam, taken in Term 3

Written feedback to be provided within 20 working days.

Indicative reading

Teaching materials will be supplied during the course, as will bibliographical references when necessary.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.