University Wide Language Programme
French
Stage 1
i. Module Content
Aims
The aims of the module are to:
• develop your listening, speaking and reading skills in the language
• develop your ability to use the language for practical everyday needs
• introduce basic writing skills
• introduce you to the culture of the countries where the language is spoken
Intended Learning Outcomes
When you successfully complete the module, you will:
• be able to communicate at a basic level in various everyday situations
• be able to understand and write simple messages
• have some understanding of the way of life in the countries where the language is spoken
Transferable/Key Skills
On completion of this module students will have had the opportunity to develop:
1. Communication skills –receiving and giving information in oral and written form
2. Identifying and locating key resources and using basic search skills to retrieve relevant information
3. Application of numbers – recognising and using numbers in the target language
4. Managing own learning – recognising own strengths and weaknesses and checking own progress
5. Working with others – through pair work and group work and IT skills – word processing and using the Internet and VLE for a variety of learning activities
Learning and teaching methods
Learning will be through class work, incorporating pair work and group work, and through directed self-study. Assessment will include the requirement to demonstrate some understanding of the culture of countries where the language is spoken. Use will be made of textbooks and in-house written materials, and of audio, video and computer-assisted learning materials. Teaching and learning is supported by the School’s Language Resource Centre. Your progress will be monitored on the basis of assessment, marking and feedback.
Syllabus outline
The module will cover various survival and social communication skills and, to a limited extent, the work situation. The following areas will be covered:
• understanding the spoken language
• speaking the language, principally to obtain information, goods or services, to introduce oneself, to find out about other people
• reading the language: notices, signs, advertisements, simple messages
• writing the language: filling in forms, writing simple messages
Everyday situations will be covered, such as:
• introducing and presenting oneself and others, including in the work situation; shopping; travel; hotels; plus alphabet, numbers, days, dates, telling the time
ii.Assessment
UWLP Stage 1 Basic Foreign Language Skillsequivalent to Level A1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Summative for SSA and Erasmus Semester 1 only Module
Assessment: Reading / Writing examination (Final Component of Assessment)
Oral test (both at the end of Semester 2)
(Directed self study is not assessed as a separate element but work set (topics or particular exercises) is to be included in the content of the Reading / Writing examination and the Oral test).
Skills weighting:Reading / Writing 70%; Oral 30%
Reading / Writing examination (70%)Duration: 1 ½ hours
- Reading (40%) – 45 minutes; 3 texts; total 300 – 400 words; questions and answers in the L2*. Question types selected from: true/false/not given, multiple choice, cloze test with choices given, picture identification with options given, ordering of text, matching of heading from given list, word substitution with options given, paraphrasing using cloze test with options given.
- Writing (60%) – 45 minutes; instructions in English; number of words:
To consist of either:
- One piece of free writing from a list of specified topics (+/- 200 words) OR
- One piece of free writing from a selection of specified topics (+/- 100 words) PLUS one piece of guided writing (+/- 100 words; narrative based on pictures, grammar exercises, providing specific information, e.g. giving directions) OR
- One piece of free writing from a selection of specified topics (+/- 100 words) PLUS two shorter pieces of guided writing (+/- 50 words each; narrative based on pictures, grammar exercises, providing specific information, e.g. giving directions).
The Reading / Writing examination will take place during the examination period at the end of Semester 2.
Oral test (30%)Duration: 10 minutes
- Oral –individual or in pairs; 10 minutes. It consists of 2 role plays with instructionsin English (the topics will be distributed in advance) as well as some general questions.
The Oral test will take place in the last two weeks of teaching in Semester 2.
All instructions in English.
L2* refers to the language being learned during the course (i.e. French/Spanish/German/Italian).
iii. Reading list
Updated reading lists will be published early September.
Stage 2
i.Module Content
Aims
Building on your previous studies in the language, you will:
• continue to develop your listening, speaking and reading skills in the language
• continue to develop your ability to use the language for practical everyday needs
• extend your writing skills
• continue to explore the culture of the countries where the language is spoken
Intended Learning Outcomes
When you successfully complete the module, you will:
• be able to communicate at a basic level in a variety of everyday and workplace situations, both abroad and when dealing with visitors to this country
• be able to understand and write simple messages and business communications
• have a wider understanding of the way of life in the countries where the language is spoken
Transferable/Key Skills
On completion of this module students will have had the opportunity to develop:
5. Communication skills –receiving and giving information in oral and written form producing clear and logically organised written material and oral presentations
6. Consolidating and demonstrating independence in accessing and searching information resources
7. Application of number – reading and commenting on graphs and statistics
8. Managing own learning – recognising own strengths and weaknesses and checking own progress
Working with others – through pair work and group work and IT skills – word processing and using the Internet and VLE for a variety of learning activities
Learning and teaching methods
Learning will be through class work, incorporating pair work and group work, and through directed self-study. Assessment will include the requirement to demonstrate some understanding of the culture of countries where the language is spoken. Use will be made of textbooks and in-house written materials, and of audio, video and computer-assisted learning materials. Teaching and learning is supported by the School’s Language Resource Centre. Your progress will be monitored on the basis of assessment, marking and feedback.
Syllabus outline
The module will cover various survival and social communication skills and, to a certain extent, the work situation. Practice will be given in:
• understanding the spoken language
• speaking the language in everyday situations and to find out about other people
• reading the language: simple texts on topics of familiar or personal interest
• writing the language: simple letters and texts on topics of familiar or personal interest, including opinions and reasons.
Everyday situations will be covered, such as: tourism; travel; weather; work; education;
describing people and places
ii.Assessment
UWLP Stage 2 Further Basic Foreign Language Skillsequivalent to Level A2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Summative for SSA and Erasmus Semester 1 only Module
Assessment: Reading / Writing examination (Final Component of Assessment)
Oral test (both at the end of Semester 2)
(Directed self study is not assessed as a separate element but work set (topics or particular exercises) is to be included in the content of the Reading / Writing examination and the Oral test).
Skills weighting:Reading / Writing 70%; Oral 30%
Reading / Writing examination (70%)Duration: 1 ½ hours
- Reading(40%) – 45 minutes; 3 texts; total 500 – 600 words; questions and answers in L2*. Question types selected from: true/false/not given, multiple choice, cloze test with choices given, ordering of text, matching section headings, identifying odd-one-out, paraphrasing using cloze test with options given, word substitution with options given.
- Writing (60%)– 45 minutes; instructions in L2; number of words: 250 in total (+/- 10%); the focus is on quality rather than quantity.
To consist of either:
- One piece of free writing from a list of specified topics (+/- 250 words) OR
- One piece of free writing from a selection of specified topics (+/- 125 words) PLUS one piece of guided writing (+/- 125 words; narrative based on pictures, grammar exercises, providing specific information, e.g. giving directions) OR
One piece of free writing from a selection of specified topics (+/- 125 words) PLUS two shorter pieces of guided writing (+/- 60 words each; narrative based on pictures, grammar exercises, providing specific information, e.g. giving directions)
The Reading / Writing examination will take place during the examination period at the end of Semester 2.
Oral test (30%)Duration: 10 minutes
- Oral– individual; 10 minutes general and topic-based conversation (topics will be distributed in advance)
The Oral test will take place in the last two weeks of teaching in Semester 2.
All instructions in L2*.
L2* refers to the language being learned during the course (i.e. French/Spanish/German/Italian).
iii. Reading list
Updated reading lists will be published early September.
Stage 3
i. Module Content
Aims
Building on your previous studies in the language, you will:
• consolidate and develop your knowledge of and competence in the language, within the general context of the countries where it is spoken
• begin to prepare linguistically and inter-culturally for work in or relating to a country where the language is spoken
Intended Learning Outcomes
When you successfully complete the module, you will:
• be able to communicate in the language with reasonable confidence and effectiveness in predictable situations
• be able to recognise and produce with reasonable accuracy a variety of essential grammatical structures
• be informed of the realities of daily life in the countries concerned and be able to react and respond to them appropriately
• begin to have some understanding of the language for specific purposes (ie related to your main programme of study)
Transferable/Key Skills
On completion of this module students will have had the opportunity to develop:
5. Communication skills –receiving and giving information in oral and written form producing clear and logically organised written material and oral presentations
6. Consolidating and demonstrating independence in accessing and searching information resources
7. Application of number – reading and commenting on graphs and statistics
8. Managing own learning – recognising own strengths and weaknesses and checking own progress
Working with others – through pair work and group work and IT skills – word processing and using the Internet and VLE for a variety of learning activities
Learning and teaching methods
Learning will be through class work, incorporating pair work and group work, and through directed self-study. Assessment will include the requirement to demonstrate some understanding of the culture of countries where the language is spoken. Use will be made of textbooks and in-house written materials, and of audio, video and computer-assisted learning materials. Teaching and learning is supported by the School’s Language Resource Centre. Your progress will be monitored on the basis of assessment, marking and feedback.
Syllabus outline
The four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing will be developed through a series of topics related to the daily life in the countries where the language is spoken.
Students will learn to:
• obtain and convey information
• understand and use general information and some information for specific purposes, in the target language.
• express a viewpoint or opinion; give reasons and explanations
ii.Assessment
UWLP Stage 3 Foreign Language Skills for Practical Purposesequivalent to Level B1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Summative for SSA and Erasmus Semester 1 only Module
Assessment: Reading / Writing examination (Final Component of Assessment)
Oral test (both at the end of Semester 2)
(Directed self study is not assessed as a separate element but work set (topics or particular exercises) is to be included in the content of the Reading / Writing examination and the Oral test)
Skills weighting:Reading / Writing 70%; Oral 30%
Reading / Writing examination (70%)Duration: 1 ½ hours
- Reading (40%) – 45 minutes; 3 texts; total 600 – 700 words; questions and answers in L2.Question types selected from: true/false/not given, multiple choice, cloze test with choices given, ordering of text, matching section headings, identifying odd-one-out, paraphrasing using cloze test with options given, word substitution with options given.
- Writing (60%) – 45 minutes; instructions in L2; number of words: 250 – 300 (+/- 10%); the focus is on quality rather than quantity. It consists of one piece of free writing from a selection of specified topics.
The Reading / Writing examination will take place during the examination period at the end of Semester 2.
Oral test (30%)Duration: 10 minutes
- Oral - individual; 10 minutes; general and topic-based conversation (topics will be distributed in advance)
The Oral test will take place in the last two weeks of teaching in Semester 2.
All instructions in L2*
L2* refers to the language being learned during the course (i.e. French/Spanish/German/Italian).
iii. Reading list
Updated reading lists will be published early September.
Stage 4
i. Module Content
Aims
Building on your previous studies in the language, you will:
• further consolidate and develop your knowledge of and competence in the language, within the general context of the countries where it is spoken, and more specifically for professional purposes
• further prepare linguistically and inter-culturally for work in or relating to a country where the language is spoken
Intended Learning Outcomes
When you successfully complete the module, you will:
• be able to use the language in ways which show a capacity to choose appropriate lexical items
• be able to recognise and produce with more accuracy a wider range of grammatical structures
• develop an awareness of language appropriate to different contexts, and be able to use the language accurately in certain defined contexts
• have a better understanding of and ability to use the language for specific purposes
• have gained some understanding of contemporary social and business issues in the countries where the language is spoken, and be able to engage in discussion of such issues in the language
Transferable/Key Skills
On completion of this module students will have had the opportunity to develop:
1. Communication skills– receiving and giving information in written and oral form, producing clear and logically organised written material and oral presentations
2. Applying a systematic approach to locating and evaluating information on a given topic
3. Application of number – reading and commenting on graphs and statistics
4. IT skills – using computer software, email and the Internet
Managing own learning – reflecting on and checking own progress to recognise strengths and weaknesses, through self-access and working with others – through group discussion
Learning and teaching methods
Learning will be through class work, incorporating pair work and group work, and through directed self-study. Assessment will include the requirement to demonstrate some understanding of the culture of countries where the language is spoken. Use will be made of textbooks and in-house written materials, and of audio, video and computer-assisted learning materials. Teaching and learning is supported by the School’s Language Resource Centre. Your progress will be monitored on the basis of assessment, marking and feedback.
Syllabus outline
The four skills areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing will be developed for social and professional purposes, and with reference to the tasks you might need to perform if working in or relating to a country where the target language is spoken.
These communication skills will be developed in the context of such professional situations as:
• self-presentation through letters of application for jobs, CVs, application forms, telephone and face-to-face interviews, requests and applications for accommodation
the day-to-day activities of the workplace (for example, understanding and giving instructions and writing reports)
ii.Assessment
UWLP Stage 4 Further Foreign Language Skills for Practical Purposesequivalent to Level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Summative for SSA and Erasmus Semester 1 only Module
Assessment: Reading / Writing examination (Final Component of Assessment)
Oral test (both at the end of Semester 2)
(Directed self study is not assessed as a separate element but work set (topics or particular exercises) is to be included in the content of the Reading / Writing examination and the Oral test).
Skills weighting:Reading / Writing 70%; Oral 30%
Reading / Writing examination (70%)Duration: 1 ½ hours
- Reading (40%) – 45 minutes; 3 texts; total 600 – 700 words; questions and answers in L2. Question types selected from: true/false/not given, multiple choice, cloze test with choices given, ordering of text, matching section headings, identifying odd-one-out, paraphrasing using cloze test with options given, word substitution with options given, multiple choice to identify summary, short written answers in L2.
- Writing (60%) – 45 minutes; instructions in L2; number of words: 250 – 300 (+/- 10%); the focus is on quality rather than quantity. To consist of one piece of free writing on a list of specified topics.
The Reading / Writing examination will take place during the examination period at the end of Semester 2.
Oral test (30%)Duration: 10 minutes
- Oral - individual; 10 minutes general and topic-based conversation/presentation (topics will be distributed in advance).
The Oral test will take place in the last two weeks of teaching in Semester 2.
All instructions in L2*
L2* refers to the language being learned during the course (i.e. French/Spanish/German/Italian).
iii. Reading list
Updated reading lists will be published early September.