LN741 French: Level 5 (Current Issues)

Course Aim: This is a proficiency course with a focus on current issues. To develop the ability to speak and interact confidently in French in a wide range of an social contexts and situations and present clear, detailed descriptions of a wide range of subjects in the field of Social Sciences, integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.
To develop the necessary intercultural skills which are needed in multicultural environments.
To develop transferable skills to interact in debates and meetings.
To read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular stances or viewpoints and understand texts of a more generalist nature relating to relevant areas of the Social Sciences.
To understand more complex factual texts relating to Politics, International History, Economics and other associated areas. To follow TV programs and recorded material in both general and subject specific areas.
To bring students to level C1 of CEFR. Communicative Content: Advanced French language with reference to French speaking countries and contemporary issues and topics: International Relations, Media, Education, Gender, Race, Politics, Social Classes and Social Movements.
To introduce a topic in the field of Social Sciences.
To develop and describe particular points.
To make an appropriate conclusion.
To describe a situation.
To describe the context of an event.
To express and justify opinions. To agree, disagree and justify a choice.
To introduce someone to the advantages and disadvantages of an option.
To propose, accept or refuse.
To negotiate and find a compromise.
To conclude and adopt a resolution.
To express feelings.
To speak about an event (past/present/future) and explain circumstances, causes and consequences.
To debate and interact confidently in a discussion. Structural Content: Reading and listening comprehension, oral presentation, occasional revision of major grammatical points and key tenses and introduction to different registers and literary styles.

Grammar : Indicative content :

All Pronouns.
Comparatives and superlatives.
Expression of duration, frequency, simultaneity. Most tenses including subjunctive.
Passive forms.
Expression of cause, consequence, circumstance and restriction.
Direct speech and indirect speech… “Marqueurs chronologiques”. “Marqueurs logiques”

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.