What will I learn on this module?
Learning French is about developing four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and learning about France. This is exactly what you will do on this introductory module! You will be exposed to a wide range of cultural, economic and socio-political issues in contemporary France in order to deepen your knowledge of the country. You will then use the four skills to engage with those issues. For the writing skills you will consolidate grammatical, syntactical, morphological and semantic structures in French. You will delve deep into French grammar and writing style, which will enable you to feel more confident about writing high-quality essays. For the reading skill you will widen your vocabulary base through a large range of vocabulary drawn from authentic, contemporary texts, which you will study and translate. You will enhance your listening skills, as well as acquiring further vocabulary, in multi-media language laboratories. In the speaking hour you will further enhance your vocabulary through tackling contemporary issues orally and be engaged in lively debates. The range of vocabulary and knowledge you will acquire, combined with your enhanced grasp of French grammar, will enable you to engage with a wide range of academic sources related to contemporary France, which you will critically evaluate and synthesise. You will enhance your familiarity with Information Technology relevant to the acquisition and exploitation of your foreign language skills in a research-informed, global context where your French language skills will empower you to understand the French-speaking world in a wider global context.
How will I learn on this module?
You will attend interactive and engaging language seminars and workshops and also be supported by academic tutorials by arrangement. In addition to written, oral and aural sources, other academic media will be used in order to build your knowledge of the French-speaking world and your French language skills in parallel. As a result, you will gain a deeper understanding of the contemporary cultural, economic and socio-political issues that are relevant today in modern France and the recent historical events that have shaped French society and culture. You will also be required to undertake directed and independent study, and you will be given weekly preparation guidelines to actively engage in informed discussions in seminar groups. Materials used in this module will be made available to you by your tutors and on the eLearning Portal.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported by the module tutors who can be contacted in class, by email and in their regular tutorial slots. You will be supported in finding your own voice in the midst of linguistic and cultural materials. Your tutors will be happy to discuss your ideas in the light of your interests and their own teaching and research profiles. Your tutors will also give you formative feedback, both orally in class and written feedback on the various tasks you will be asked to submit. You will receive individual attention from your tutors and you will receive guidance on how to approach your assessments/ examinations. Support materials will also be provided via the ELP. You will also receive support from your fellow students in the classroom.
Your directed learning will take the form of preparation for seminars (including reading, translation and grammar) either individually or in small groups. Your independent learning will take the form of further directed reading, translation and listening (aural comprehension and news reports), investigating relevant materials and sources. Your independent learning will also entail the consolidation of seminar materials and revision/ preparation for the assessments/ examinations. You will be supported in finding your own voice in the midst of linguistic and cultural materials.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
• You will demonstrate a level of proficiency in French appropriate to one semester’s post 'A' level study. (ML01)
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• You will gain a solid understanding of issues relevant to the study of the French language and contemporary France and you will be able to apply your enhanced language skills to engage with these issues. (ML02)
• You will respond confidently and with enhanced accuracy to a range of language and apply a range of terminology, vocabulary and grammar. (ML03)
• You will be able to synthesise and organise information from a range of authentic and academic sources. (ML04)
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• You will develop an introductory understanding of issues, cultural awareness and inter-cultural communication from a French Studies perspective. (ML05)
How will I be assessed?
30% Reading Comprehension (exam)
(ML02 / ML04 / ML05)
30% Grammar (continuous assessment) (ML01 /ML03)
40% Aural Comprehension (exam)
(ML01 / ML02 / ML03 / ML05)
Your assessment is designed to match the course aims and learning outcomes, encouraging you to build on seminar materials with the support of your tutors.
The reading comprehension will test both your vocabulary and your understanding of contemporary France. The grammar test will enable you to show your deep understanding of French at a theoretical level, before applying it in the context of essay writing in your language module in semester two. The aural comprehension will test your listening skills, your vocabulary as well as your understanding of contemporary France.
Formative assessment will be an ongoing feature of the module. You will be encouraged to keep a portfolio of French news in order to enhance your listening skills, widen your vocabulary and deepen your understanding of France. You will receive grammar exercises at the end of each grammar class in order to further your understanding. You will write one formative essay in order to apply your grammatical knowledge in context. You will be asked to do regular reading comprehension throughout the semester. You will be asked to do oral presentations in order to apply your newly expanded vocabulary base. These formative assessments will be both on paper and on-line.
Formative feedback will be directly relevant to all pieces of summative assessment.
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
ML04003
Module abstract
Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.
Course info
UCAS Code N185
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 4 years Full Time with a Placement (Sandwich)/Study Abroad
Department Newcastle Business School
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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