FREN 3201 - French IIIA: Language (Upper Intermediate)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

Language training in spoken and written French builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in second year (beginners' stream). The course will include grammar exercises, written expression, oral expression and translation.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code FREN 3201
    Course French IIIA: Language (Upper Intermediate)
    Coordinating Unit French Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites 12 units in French, including FREN 2202
    Incompatible FREN 2212 or FREN 3002
    Course Description Language training in spoken and written French builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in second year (beginners' stream). The course will include grammar exercises, written expression, oral expression and translation.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Peter Poiana

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    This course will enable students to:
     
    LO 1 Know and understand the structures of the French language and key aspects of French culture
    LO 2 Be capable of responding to, giving opinions about, analysing and evaluating situations and ideas using the French language
    LO 3 Be able to locate materials, including primary and secondary sources, in order to acquire knowledge of the French language and culture
    LO 4 Work independently and in collaboration with others, in a timely manner, to present and communicate ideas and develop cogent and coherent arguments.
    LO 5 Use digital technologies and software programmes for accessing material in French and producing texts in French
    LO 6 Become a self-reflective and self-directed learner, in order to sustain the effort of learning French over time
    LO 7 Be aware of social and cultural issues in French speaking contexts and appreciate their wider impact.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2, 3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3, 4, 5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    3, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    4, 6, 7
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    4, 6, 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There are no textbooks for this course.
    Students must bring their own headsets with microphones to Language Laboratory classes.
    Recommended Resources
    Grammar Reference books (available for loan from the Barr-Smith Library)
    · Glanville Price, A Comprehensive French Grammar, Oxford, Blackwell Publishers, 6th edition, contains complete explanations in English on all points of French grammar.
    · Roger Hawkins and Richard Towell, French Grammar and Usage, Arnold.
    · For a concise reference grammar, see H. Ferrar, A French Reference Grammar, Oxford University Press, 1967.
    · Students at this level sometimes need to revise basic structures such as verb conjugations. You are advised to do this as early in the year as possible: it will help you get better grades in your language tests. The best revision book is Mary Coffman Crocker, Schaum’s Outlines: French Grammar, New York, McGraw Hill, 1999.
    Online Learning
    The course requires students to consult the MyUni webpage on a regular basis. All of the course material is grouped in weekly folders. Students are expected to download the grammar notes, read them and complete the exercises in advance of the grammar class. Students are also advised to view the oral worksheets in advance of the oral class as well as the vocabulary lists, which must be learned.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course has three types of classes.
    Written Workshop or Seminar. Students learn a complete grammar syllabus using grammar notes posted on MyUni. The documents can be found in the Weekly folders. Because of the large amount of grammar covered in this course, it will not be possible to explain the rules systematically, point by point; in the limited time we have in the grammar class. Rather, students are expected to learn the grammar notes and attempt the exercises prior to attending class, leaving valuable class time for reviewing some of the more difficult points or questions raised by students. For this reason it is vital that students quickly acquire the habit of printing the notes, reading them carefully and bringing them to the grammar class. In the Weekly folders, students will also find vocabulary sheets that they must learn.
    Oral Tutorial. The focus is on student participation in discussion. Discussion topics are drawn principally from newspaper and magazine websites. Students will be expected to participate actively in group and class discussion. In semester 1, students will each do a 5 minute oral presentation, without reading from their notes, on the topic: “parlez à la classe d’une activité ou d’un sujet qui vous passionne”. Students can sign up for their presentation at the start of the semester. In semester 2, there will be an oral exam in week 13.
    Language laboratory class. Students listen to recorded dialogues and French radio podcasts, and watch videos on general topics in order to improve their listening skills. Please note that the Faculty does not provide headsets -- students must bring along their own headsets with microphones to the Language Laboratory.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    3 hours of classes per week 36 hours per semester
    6 hours preparation/assignment work per week 72 hours per semester
    3 hours reading per week 36hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 144 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    See detailed course outline for enrolled students - on MyUni prior to the commencement of the course.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students who do not meet the following requirements will receive a grade of Fail for the course:
    1. A minimum of 80% attendance in all classes
    2. Completion of all tasks worth 10% or more
    3. A minimum of 40% result in the end of semester written examination.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    From weeks 5 to 8 in both semesters, students will prepare and present a group project related to French Culture, Society or Politics, and will submit their work electronically for assessment.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Oral presentation Formative and Summative 5% 1, 2, 4
    First language laboratory test Summative 5% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
    Lab project in small groups Formative and Summative 10% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Second language laboratory listening test Summative 10% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
    350 word composition assignment Formative and Summative 5% 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
    Composition test Summative 10% 1, 2, 4, 7
    2 x grammar tests Summative 20% 1, 3, 6
    Written exam Summative 35% 1, 2, 4, 6

    Due to the current COVID-19 situation modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching. Assessment details provided here reflect recent updates.

    Note change of weightings for individual assessments: there is more weight on continuous assessment, less on final exam.

    1. Oral presentation in oral class on-line - 5%
    2. First language laboratory test (week 4 in class Napier 107 OR on-line in week 5, Friday) - 5%
    3. Two grammar tests at 10% each, in the on-line oral class in weeks 5 and 9 - 20%
    4. Composition assignment uploaded on MyUni - Assignments is now due on Tuesday April 14th, Friday and Monday being public holidays - 10% (instead of 5%)
    5. Lab Research project - THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL PROJECT NOW - a five minute presentation PPT with audio. Instructions given on MyUni in week 5. Upload your PPT and your written report on MyUni - Assignments on Friday of Week 8 - 15% (instead of 10%)
    6. Second Lang Lab timed test in week 11, on-line, in the Friday lab class - 10%
    7. Timed composition test in week 12, on-line, in the Friday lab class - 10%
    8. Final written test, in week 13, time to be decided. It replaces the final exam. It will be a two-hour instead of a three hour exam. There will be reading comprehension, grammar, but no composition - 25% (instead of 35%)
    Assessment Detail

    The composition assignment is due by midday on the Friday of week 6. It must be submitted via the Homework box adjacent to the office of the School of Humanities (level 7 Napier). The Composition TEST will be held in the Language Laboratory in Week 12. For Grammar test weeks (5 & 9), the normal grammar class will be devoted to revision, and the TEST will be done during the oral class later in the week. The participation mark will reflect attendance, preparation for class and active participation in general discussion in oral class.

    Submission

    Presentation of Work
    The composition assignment is to be submitted in paper copy via the Assignment Box, School of Humanities office, level 7, Napier Building. For this assignment, attach a signed cover sheet, and indicate the name of the staff member for whom it is intended. It should be written on alternate lines (double spaced, if typed, and in a font size no less than 12), for greater clarity and to allow room for correction.

    Deadlines
    Assignments handed in after the due date will be penalized at the rate of 5% of the total mark per day, up to a maximum of 5 working days, after which they will not be accepted at all. These penalties will not apply, however, if an extension has been granted before the due date. Extensions will only be granted on medical grounds (medical certificate required) or in documented cases of hardship. Assignments will not be accepted for marking after the corrected work has been returned to students.

    STUDENTS MUST HAND IN THEIR COMPOSITION ASSIGNMENT AT THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES OFFICE (LEVEL 7, NAPIER BUILDING), BEFORE MIDDAY OF WEEK 6, WHERE IT WILL HAVE THE DATE OF SUBMISSION STAMPED ON IT.

    Marked work will generally be returned to students one or two weeks following submission.

    Redemption
    Given the frequency of assignments and their nature, it is not possible for students to redo and resubmit the piece of work in which their performance was unsatisfactory. This can also cause them to get behind, rather than move on to the next set of exercises and devoting their energies to mastering them.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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