What will I learn on this module?
In this final honours module you will acquire in-depth knowledge of French Studies whilst consolidating, expanding and developing the written and spoken foreign language skills developed at level 5. You will perform effectively in written and spoken French and you will develop further your ability to critically evaluate ideas, concepts and changes in French society. You will respond to challenging tasks with an advanced degree of accuracy, fluency and confidence in both written and spoken exercises related to economics, business, politics, socio-cultural issues and current affairs.
You will focus on a variety of activities such as oral debates and presentations, essay writing in French, translation into English and liaison interpreting as both a linguistic exercise and a transferable skill.
Emphasis is also placed on formative assessment in semester 1 of the final year. Formative assessment forms an integral part of this module, enabling you to build towards achieving the learning outcomes that will qualify you as a highly employable, culturally aware, global graduate with a focus on French language and French Studies.
How will I learn on this module?
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 media and academic materials.
You will attend interactive and engaging seminars and workshops (five hours per week) and academic tutorials. In addition to interpreting dialogues, translations and area studies debates, other media will be used for you to find your critical voice (on history, current affairs, culture and politics in France) whilst applying your French language skills. As a result, you will gain a critical perspective on a wide range of issues in France. You will be able to work effectively as a member of a team and to evaluate your peers’ and your own performance. 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.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Your directed learning will take the form of preparation for seminars (including both written and oral work) either individually or in small groups. Your independent learning will take the form of further reading and investigation of articles in the French press and critical approaches to French current affairs topics, the consolidation of seminar materials, and revision/ preparation for the assessment included in the unit. Throughout the semester you will receive individual attention from academic tutors, and you will be able to substantially shape the content and angle of your oral presentation. You will attend tutorials to share your ideas with your tutor, and to discuss and agree on a viable, original, research-informed, relevant academic project that will showcase your independent thinking and encourage your academic creativity. You will be supported in finding your own voice in the midst of academic ideas and sources, and in engaging in a structured manner with the texts and the systems of thinking. You will be encouraged to express a graduate-level degree of engagement with French Studies in French. Your tutors will be happy to discuss your ideas in relation to your academic interests, and their own teaching and research profiles.
You are supported through the eLearning Portal and in-house materials based on articles in the French press. In particular, you will be able to access formative feedback and a very wide range of translation, research, essay writing, reading and interpreting materials, as well as grammatical consolidation exercises. Language seminars are based in state-of-the-art multi-media labs.
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 research and write essays in French which analyse, synthesise and organise information related to economic, business, political and socio-cultural issues (MLO1).
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• You will develop specialised translation skills, demonstrating intercultural awareness and cultural competence building from your placement abroad (or equivalent) (MLO2).
• On successful completion of the module you will respond confidently with an increased level of accuracy to complex written and spoken language (MLO3).
• You will demonstrate an advanced level of skill in giving oral presentations and in interpreting, communicating fluently and sensitively and functioning effectively in a variety of contexts in French, adopting language to meet unpredictable demands and accurately manipulating style and register in French and in English (MLO4).
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• You will develop an expert understanding of global ethical issues, having acquired a wide range of transferable interpersonal skills and becoming a global graduate fit for graduate work in multinational environments (MLO5).
How will I be assessed?
50% oral presentation (All MLOs)
50% translation into English (MLO1, 2, 3, 5)
Your assessment is designed to match course aims and learning outcomes, encouraging you to build on seminar materials with the support of your tutor.
The oral presentation and the translation coursework will test different transferable skills, knowledge, and critical outlooks, including your ability to present complex ideas in French, and your ability to transfer linguistic and cultural contents with graduate proficiency.
Formative assessment will be an on-going feature of the module. You will deliver a practice oral presentation during some of the seminar hours. You will present your 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 both pieces of summative assessment, and will be a prominent feature in the e-Learning Portal, allowing you to develop your practice and self-reflection towards maximising your academic results and your learning experience.
Pre-requisite(s)
ML5023, ML5024
Co-requisite(s)
ML6002
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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