The entity responsible for the course description defines the skills and the knowledge which the student must have acquired at the end of the activity of training (maximum 10 lines).
At the end of this course, the students are supposed to be able to do in:
Speaking
- Can take an active part in formal and informal discussion with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes possible regular interaction with natve speakers;
- Can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue;
- Can develop and defend an opinion;
- Can develop an argument ( highlighting of significant points, constructing a chain of reasoned argument, expanding and supporting points of view with subsidiary points and relevant examples) on topical issue.
Writing
- Can synthesise information and arguments from a number of sources;
- Can write clear, detailed descriptions of real or imaginary events and experiences;
- Can write a review of a film, book or play.
Main themes
Speaking:
Interview, games, roleplay, informal discussion, contradictory debate, individual presentation on a given topic, improvisation.
Writing:
Newspaper articles, literary review, personal letter, critical report, informative text, descriptive text, argumentative text.
For each activity of production:
- expanding vocabulary
- improving pronounciation and spelling
- revising and learning grammatical points
Content and teaching methods
In this course, students are asked to produce oral and written texts that are clear and detailed on a variety of subjects within his/her field of interest. In each class, they have to interact in familiar situations, develop and defend their opinions on a topical issue, give the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
Prerequisites ( Ideally in terms of skills):
To master intermediate skills (level B1) as described in the common European Framework of reference of the Council of Europe during an oral placement test.
Assessment:
During the semester:
The written productions completed during the semester count for 50% of the final evaluation (file of texts written in class or at home, then corrected at home and/or read in public)
The examination programme (50%): First part: an oral presentation based on a file that is composed of eight documents (written or oral) on a subject that has been chosen by the student. The file has to be given to the teacher fifteen days before the examination.
Second part: writing a text about a novel in French (to be chosen from a list). A grammar book and a dictionary are allowed.
Course material : syllabus
References:
- M. Grégoire et O. Thievenaz, 1995. Grammaire progressive du français. Niveau intemédiaire. Paris: CLE International
- Un dictionnaire de langue française (de préférence Micro ou Petit Robert)
Training staff:
A group of about 20 students
The teacher is available during his reception time and can be contacted by email.
Guidance in the self-study center (C.A.A.) and in the multi-media room
Other:
This course corresponds to B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference.
Equivalent courses given in the other UCL curricula:a course for upper intermediate students (FRAN 1401 in 60 hours, at the first and at the second semester)