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French Language and Cultures: Upper intermediate - LAN00057C

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Module co-ordinator: Mrs. Sandrine Devlin
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

This module combines an in-depth study of French with analysis of cultural and social phenomena. Students will develop knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in French at an upper intermediate level through engagement with topics arising from social and political debates of current interest to French-speaking people.

Related modules

A-level in French or successful completion of the module French Language and Cultures: Intermediate or equivalent level of proficiency.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module aims at revising and consolidating knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in French and to develop a plurilingual and pluricultural communicative competence at upper intermediate level. Students will engage, individually and in groups, in communicative activities emphasising three modes of communication: 1) reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension); 2) production activities (oral and written production); 3) interaction (oral, written and online interaction). The medium of instruction is French. The module also introduces students to socio-cultural issues related to their language repertoire, and to language learning reflection.

Module learning outcomes

Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • understand with a degree of independence authentic texts on both familiar and unfamiliar topics

  • describe and present the topics studied with appropriate highlighting of significant points, and relevant supporting detail

  • interact with an appropriate degree of accuracy, fluency and spontaneity

  • sustain views convincingly by providing relevant explanations and arguments

  • interpret cultural cues appropriately in the culture concerned, and reflect on, and explain, particular ways of communicating across diverse cultural contexts.

Module content

Students will be introduced to a number of social, cultural, political and/or linguistic topics, specific to French-speaking countries, such as:

  • France and its stereotypes

  • France and its traditions, its regional specificities

  • how French society has changed economically, socially and politically since 1945

  • the notions of culture(s) and of intangible cultural heritage in French-speaking countries

Selected grammar topics will also form part of every lesson in the form of revision, exercises and independent study. They may include:

  • parts of speech

  • adjectives (position and function)

  • tenses (indicative mood)

  • sentence components

  • pronouns

  • the passive voice

  • past tenses and participle agreements

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
French language and cultures: Upper intermediate		 2 hours 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Oral exam		 0.17 hours 40

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
French language and cultures: Upper intermediate		 2 hours 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Oral exam		 0.17 hours 40

Module feedback

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative tasks done individually and/or in groups throughout the module.

Students will be given:

  • written comments for written formative work

  • oral feedback during class discussions

Summative assessment and feedback

Students will be given written feedback and marks for their work within the University mandated schedule.

Indicative reading

Course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenor(s) in class and/or via the VLE at the start of the semester.


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.