2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FLTU2333 Introduction to Professional French

20 creditsClass Size: 18

Module manager: Sylvie Benifla
Email: s.benifla@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

- Successful completion of a post A-level French module e.g. FLTU1345, level 1 of a French degree programme or equivalent
- previous study to CEFR minimum B2
- extended stay in a French-speaking country

This module is mutually exclusive with

FLTU2334

Intro to Professional French

This module is approved as a discovery module

This module is approved as a skills discovery module

Module summary

Have you studied French to a very advanced level? Have you completed Year 1 of your French degree programme or studied French to CEFR level B2 or spent time abroad in a French-speaking country? This module supports you in consolidating your knowledge of French language and culture and extending this into a professional context, possibly related to your field of study. You will work with authentic materials from different written and audio visual sources and develop interactive skills. You will gain familiarity with French business practice including how to produce curriculum vitae, application and other business documents relevant to professional contexts in the French speaking world. You will practise work-related communication skills such as presentations and business telephone calls. You will research and select materials related to your field of study or career aspirations. Topics range from professional social media, tourism, company profiles and documentation to job application and interview techniques.The emphasis is on achieving practical communication in the four main language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Our teaching takes place in practical and interactive weekly classes (up to 18 students) and uses the facilities and technology our excellent Language Zone.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to offer progression from A-Level + 1 to A- Level + 2 (University level 2/ CEFR C1) in the four skills, with an emphasis on communication within a Business or Professional French context, linked, where appropriate to the student’s field of study.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. understand a wide range of professional and specialised language from their field of study
2. confidently engage in conversation and written communication with native speakers
3. express themselves fully in the target language using idioms, expressions and a wide range of registers as appropriate to a professional context;
4. present and defend their point of view with ease
5. read and summarise specialised authentic texts from their field of study within a professional context;
6. work and collaborate effectively as members of a team
7. produce texts of a specialised nature
8. consolidate their understanding of French grammar and register within the Business and/or specialised context
9. Students will also consolidate their understanding of the culture of France and of the French-speaking world.

Skills outcomes
Communication in French in a professional context

Syllabus

With a focus on developing skills within a business or professional context and communicating in the target language (written and spoken), it will focus on two major themes:
1. Working in the French-speaking world: applying for a job, CV preparation, application procedure and interview, telephone communication, report-writing and general business correspondence.
2. Employability skills and digital literacy: creating video presentations for professional purposes. Students will demonstrate and evidence employability skills in the form of presentation, team work and portfolio building. The module will use authentic materials from different sources (written and audio-visual) and will involve interactive skills. Students will be expected to:
- undertake independent research and present their findings in individual or group presentations and in writing.
- contribute to an interactive blog which will form the basis of a portfolio for summative assessment
- complete regular homework (in the form of short, concrete tasks), which will be set and marked for feedback and formative assessment evaluation purposes

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	21	2.00	42.00
Private study hours			158.00
Total Contact hours			42.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

The module is taught in French, by seminar only, to ensure active participation and the use of interactive skills within the group. Regular independent work will be encouraged and homework tasks will be set to ensure opportunities to practise linguistic competence in a professional context.
Online research will be needed for some of the informal and formal assessment.
Assessed group/pair presentations will encourage team work and develop self-expression and oral communication skills.
Weekly preparation on topical business news will enhance research skills and self-expression in the target language.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback on regular class and homework tasks, practice speaking tasks /mini presentations in class and via formative portfolio, monitored by tutor and peers.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Open Book exam	2 hr 30 mins	50.00
Practical Exam / OSCE	0 hr 20 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 24/07/2024

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