116-035 French III:Language I

116-016 French II:Language II or equivalent.

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 demonstrate listening comprehension of both gist and detail. Emphasis is placed on reading. Students will read four novels in French in the course of the year, two per semester, 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). The subject makes use of a range of internet materials.

Regular attendance and participation in tutorials, 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.

Materials prepared by the department.

• R Hawkins & R Towell, French Grammar and Usage. Arnold London 1996.
• M Desplechin, Sans moi. L'Olivier, 1998.
• P Modiano, La Petite Bijou. Gallimard, 2001.