What will I learn on this module?
You will consolidate grammatical, syntactic, morphological and semantic structures in French in this module by means of a combination of interactive language seminars, multi-media language laboratory workshops and directed study focusing on listening, reading, speaking and writing on cultural, economic and socio-political issues in modern France. You will study and translate authentic, contemporary texts from French into English and make use of academic sources (oral and written) as you are introduced to research and materials on cultural, economic and socio-political issues in modern France. You will enhance your proficiency in written and spoken French from a post A-level platform. You will consolidate and extend your knowledge of the French language by improving grammatical and structural awareness and accuracy; you will also expand your grasp of the applied language relevant to French Area Studies, culture and business environments in the French-speaking world. You will be encouraged to critically evaluate information from a range of academic and authentic sources and you will be introduced to the skills of synthesising and organising information. 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 and open the doors to understanding 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. You will learn through a combination of seminars, directed and independent study, including the use of electronic sources, multi-media labs, IPTV (internet-provided television), VoD (video-on-demand) amongst other materials.
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?
Your directed learning will take the form of preparation for seminars (including reading, translation and presentation preparation and rehearsal) either individually or in small groups. Your independent learning will take the form of further directed reading and listening, investigating relevant materials and sources. These will be provided via the ereading list wherever possible. Your independent learning will also entail the consolidation of lecture and seminar materials and revision/ preparation for the assessments/ examinations. Some of this may be captured using online audio and video recordings of classroom content. Throughout the semester you will receive individual attention from your course tutors and you will receive guidance on how to approach your assessments/ examinations. You will attend and engage in inter-active seminars and workshops to share your ideas and questions with your tutor and fellow students. You will be supported in finding your own voice in the midst of linguistic and cultural materials. You will be encouraged to gain a solid understanding of the issues discussed. Your tutors will be happy to discuss your ideas in the light of your interests, your curiosity and their own teaching and research profiles.
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 second semester of post 'A' level study (MLO1).
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• You will gain a solid understanding of issues relevant to the study of the French language and modern France. Your fluency and aural comprehension skills will be enhanced as you developing your written and oral communication skills by adapting and applying language on key issues (MLO2).
• You will respond confidently and with enhanced accuracy to a range of language, understanding and applying a range of applied terminology, vocabulary and grammar. Your fluency and aural comprehension skills will be enhanced and you will develop your written and oral communication skills (MLO3).
• You will be able to synthesise and organise information from a range of authentic and AV/Multi-media and written sources (MLO4).
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• You will enhance your understanding of issues, cultural awareness and inter-cultural communication from a French Studies perspective (MLO5).
How will I be assessed?
25% Essay in French (course work) (MLO1, MLO3, MLO4, MLO5)
25% Translation into English (exam) (MLO1, MLO3, MLO4, MLO5)
25% Aural Comprehension (exam) (MLO1, MLO2)
25% Oral presentation (exam) (MLO1, MLO2)
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 essay, aural comprehension, translation and oral presentation will test different skills, including oral communication, research skills and the depth of your background knowledge and critical perspectives.
Formative assessment will be an ongoing feature of the module. You will be encouraged to deliver informal, short presentations during some of the seminar hours. You will present your preliminary ideas to the class in a friendly and constructive environment, in order to receive feedback from both your colleagues and your lecturers.
Formative feedback will be directly relevant to all pieces of summative assessment.
Pre-requisite(s)
ML4002
Co-requisite(s)
None
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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