Overview

Building on the foundations of the first year language course, classes on written language skills, listening comprehension and translation into English, and oral communication skills will further develop proficiency and fluency in French. Written language skills include grammar review, paraphrasing, translation into French and essay-writing, and will focus on journalistic, literary and professional language. Listening comprehension classes will draw from modern, authentic material including recent French TV reports, and involve comprehension and paraphrasing exercises. The language materials used will concern the following topics: media, employability, the arts and socio-cultural debates. Oral skills will develop fluency across different registers of spoken French. All classes seek to develop the skills students will need for their third year in a French-speaking country.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -40-49%: A limited knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and a limited ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts. Basic oral and aural competence.

-good -50-69%: A good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and a good ability to translate and manipulate a variety of textual material. Good oral and aural competence.

-excellent -70+%: An excellent knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and an excellent ability to translate and otherwise manipulate texts, with a firm understanding of register. Excellent oral and aural competence.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to communicate effectively in spoken French across a range of different registers.

• Students will be able to communicate effectively in written French across a range of different registers.

• Students will demonstrate an increased proficiency in aural comprehension.

• Students will have demonstrated an ability to translate texts competently, matching style and register to purpose.

• Students will have extended their knowledge and awareness of topics relating to French and francophone cultures and societies.