116-035 French III:Language I

Note

Availability

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

116-016 French II:Language II or equivalent.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject involves advanced written and spoken communication, advanced comprehension based on authentic audio-visual material and reading of a range of literary and journalistic texts. The course will enable students to perform in French a range of communicative activities, both fluently and accurately, and strengthen language skills that are useful or transferable in employment contexts. In written French, students produce a variety of texts involving description, narrative, explanation and argumentation, paying special attention to rules and exceptions in spelling, conjugation, agreements, cognates and faux amis, using a wide range of vocabulary and complex grammar structures, in different styles and registers. Accuracy and fluency in the language are taught both theoretically and practically. Various styles and registers are studied. In oral/aural French, students make a formal presentation based in part on understanding of audio or video recorded material, communicating effectively and correctly both in presentation and in question time; they will translate into English a short piece of recorded French, demonstrating listening comprehension of both gist and detail. Emphasis is placed on reading. Students will read at least two novels in French in the course of the year, with more or less the same degree of facility as reading a comparable work in English. They will give an oral and a written account of their reading (summary, interpretation and appreciation).

Assessment

Written work totalling 1600 words or equivalent, oral/aural work equivalent to 1400 words, a 1-hour aural comprehension test, a 20-minute oral test, and a 2-hour written test.

Prescribed Texts

Materials prepared by the Department.

• R Hawkins & R Towell, French Grammar and Usage. Arnold London, 1996.
• A Makine, Le Testament français. Gallimard Folio, 1995.
• J Echenoz, Les Grandes blondes. Minuit, 1995.