MODERN LANGUAGE CENTRE MODULE SYLLABUS Title and code number: FRENCH 2: Graduate Language (6AALF202) Value: Credit Level 6 Credit Value 20 Prerequisite for entry: Course delivery and duration: French 1 or French GCSE (Grade B or below) or equivalent A 2-hour class x 22 weeks in two semesters, and Twelve 1-hour seminars over two semesters Date of last revision: August 2013 Students are expected to spend an additional 6-7 hours a week in private study. See website for semester dates, timetable and teachers surgery hours: www.kcl.ac.uk/mlc
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE MODULE This module aims to enable the students to: develop the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in areas of most immediate relevance such as basic and personal information, shopping, local geography etc. interact in simple and routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on familiar matters develop strategies for coping with unfamiliar language or unexpected responses, such as asking for repetition or clarification, listening or looking for key words use French to reinforce/further their knowledge of other disciplines acquire linguistics skills, tools and knowledge to become independent lifelong learners by using French for target academic activities and personal enrichment develop an insight into the nature of language, culture and society and a greater degree of intercultural competence appreciate linguistic concepts and applied aspects of linguistics research and critically analyse linguistics-related topics using a wide range of sources and present it convincingly, using clearly structured, original text LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE MODULE The students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practical skills appropriate to a level 6 module and in particular will demonstrate the ability to: use a restricted factual knowledge base and range of vocabulary in areas of most immediate relevance such as basic and personal information, shopping, local geography etc. understand utterances and frequently used expressions related to areas such as basic personal information, shopping, local geography etc. describe in simple terms aspects of student s background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. write short simple notes, messages and personal letters (e.g. thanking someone for something, apologizing, confirming an arrangement) read and assess fairly short, straightforward texts with assistance, and engage in evaluative thinking using given criteria objectively compare some aspects of their culture to that which is being studied using the tools of intercultural learning interact creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team research a linguistic topic, evaluating and extracting information for relevancy and validity from a range of complex written and spoken sources engage in evaluative, analytical thinking and complex problem solving etc. using their own knowledge and skills work autonomously, with minimal direction from the teacher 2
CLASS DELIVERY AND TEACHING METHODS Although every class is designed taking into consideration the above objectives, the structure of particular sessions may vary. The general approach to all Modern Language Centre classes is communicative - the language is dealt with in social situations and students are encouraged to participate as much as possible. French will be used for communication in class and students will be asked to participate in classroom activities and to contribute to short role-plays, games and other language-centred activities. Seminars will be in English. LANGUAGE TOPICS LEXICAL CONTENT Work and professional life, career European institutions City life: buildings, streets, directions Food and culinary habits The weather Transport and travelling Feelings Shopping Daily routines, timetable Expressions of time Living or working conditions Telephone conversations Basic banking and IT terminology Educational background and jobs Introduction to television, press and media Introduction to the historical background Introduction to the culture Written correspondence Revision and consolidation of topics from the previous level LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS PRAGMATICS Describing people, places, objects and situations at a higher level and more fluently Making arrangements: suggesting, accepting, refusing Asking for explanation, clarification, permission Asking for information and speaking about professional life Asking more complex questions in a formal/informal way Buying, asking for prices and quantities Asking for more advanced directions 3
Making a booking and expressing preferences, or complaints Making comparisons Talking about feelings and opinions Talking about the past Understanding simple letters, emails, memos Writing simple personal letters Expressing opinions and ideas at a higher level Expressing feelings and emotions Giving instruction and advice Describing and comparing objects and events Writing formal letters simple notes, short letters Making an extensive use of different past tenses Telling stories, narrating events in the past tense Speaking about projects and plans Talking about the future / speaking about future events Understanding simple information in the media Understanding basic types of standard routine letters, faxes and emails on familiar topics GRAMMAR AND USE OF LANGUAGE Revision and consolidation of all grammar aspects introduced at a lower level (Present tense of regular/irregular verbs; simple and compound prepositions; definite/indefinite articles; gender and number of adjectives; possessive adjectives; etc.) Past tenses and their difference in use Regular and irregular verbs in the past tenses Personal pronouns Disjunctive Pronouns Direct and indirect pronouns Comparative and superlative Use of prepositions of time Direct object pronouns Introduction to relative pronouns Simple Future tense Topics for the seminar series will be distributed separately. 4
COURSE BOOK(S) Latitudes 1 Régine Mérieux, Yves Loiseau, published by DIDIER Various materials taken from other sources (i.e. other course books, newspapers, authentic handouts) will be supplied by the teacher during the course. RECOMMENDED MATERIAL FOR SELF-STUDY Les exercices de grammaire A1 - Hachette Les exercices de grammaire A2 - Hachette Exercices de vocabulaire en contexte. Niveau débutant - Hachette Compétences. Compréhension orale. Niveau 1+CD - Clé international Compétences. Compréhension orale. Niveau 2+CD - Clé international OPEN LEARNING CENTRE Research shows that successful language learners regularly review their progress, have regular and steady exposure to the language and, at higher levels, work on problematic structures hence our asking you to work for 4-6 hours a week outside class time. In order to support you with your independent learning and be in contact with the culture of the language(s) you are learning, you are encouraged to use the resources in the Open Learning Centre OLC (K- 1.072, first basement) which provides a friendly learning environment with state of the art facilities. The Centre's multilingual learning advisors are always on hand to advise you on how to make the most efficient use of the open learning facilities as well as on how to become a more effective language learner. The Centre's resources include 32 satellite TV channels from around the world; foreign language films and first class learning materials on DVD and via streamed digital media; inhouse learning materials available on KEATS and Wimba Voice tools; multilingual language learning software; daily and weekly newspapers and magazines; dictionaries, reference books and textbooks. During the first few weeks of the course, your teacher will arrange an induction session for the class in the OLC so that you can familiarize yourself with the facilities. During Term one and Term two the OLC will also facilitate free workshops on how to get the most of your language classes. For a list of topics as well as dates and times, including the opening hours of the OLC, please go to their website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/humanities/depts/mlc/olc/ 5
ATTENDANCE Attendance is compulsory for all language modules (SSCs) and Linguistics Seminars. Your attendance record needs to be 75% or above (15/20 language classes & 9/12 Linguistics Seminars), or you may be withdrawn from the module on the grounds of non-attendance. If your absences are legitimate due to mitigating circumstances, you will need to provide appropriate evidence demonstrating this to the MLC office - this could be a letter from your personal tutor or a medical certificate, etc. If you miss a class or seminar because you are ill or have other urgent personal problems, it is your responsibility to catch up on the contents of the session you missed. You will find the week-by-week syllabus as well as the homework assignment for your module on KEATS, and it is always a good idea to contact a fellow student about more details. ASSESSMENT For all details regarding deadlines and dates for assessment see the website http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/modules/dates.aspx Formative assessment: Formative assessment takes place during the Reading Week in Term 2. This does not count towards your final mark, but failure to submit the work may result in you being withdrawn from the module or prevented from sitting the examinations. It is strongly recommended that you complete the formative assessment because it will provide you with feedback on your progress as the Final Exam approaches. Test (2 hours) 0% The test will consist of four parts: Part one: Listening comprehension (20 points) Part two: Reading comprehension (20 points) Part three: Grammar and vocabulary in context (20 points) Part four: Writing (40 points) Feedback All pieces of formative assessment are normally returned to students within 2 weeks, and the teacher will provide feedback in groups and/or individually. Group feedback will be provided in class where appropriate. In addition students can book themselves for individual feedback during surgery hour (see day/time on the web-page: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/humanities/depts/mlc/staff/surgery.html 6
Linguistics Essay Linguistics-related essay, in English (1500 words coursework) 30% Due date: 6 th May 2014 Final examination Oral exam (15 min) 30% Exam period: 22 nd April 2014 2 nd May 2014 Students are examined individually and the examiner will play a part in the roleplay. The oral exam will consist of two parts: Part one: 5-10 minute role-play situation Part two: 10-15 minute free conversation on topics such as student s family, home, city, hobbies, etc. Students will be able to download the task brief from KEATS. Written exam (2 hours) 40% Exam period: 6 th May 2014 30 th May 2014 This exam will consist of three parts: Part one: Reading comprehension 20-30 points Part two: Use of language 35-40 points Part three: Writing 35-40 points No dictionaries or notes are allowed during the test or final examination. Past papers are available on KEATS. 7