French Higher Intermediate Stage D

This course will enable you to further develop your comprehension and expression in French, both orally and in writing.

This level is the first step towards independent user level. In order to get to the independent user stage where, for example, you can follow the principal points of a fairly long discussion on a familiar subject, provide or request advice and opinions during an informal discussion between friends, you first need to consolidate your existing skills and gain accuracy in your expression and comprehension.

In the Higher Intermediate French course, you will brush up your existing skills, develop your vocabulary and strengthen your understanding of the main grammatical structures of French language.

The course is organised around these topics:

• travel and means of transport
• school and university systems in France in the UK
• giving and understanding information about health issues
• ask for/answer simple user-related issues with computers, mobile phones and social networks.

You will also learn how to:

• recount past events
• interact in a social context (formally and informally)
• express agreement and disagreement
• make comparisons, stating preferences and interests
• describe plans.

In addition to acquiring competence in French itself, you will develop useful transferable skills such as communication skills and self-management.

This course if for those who have studied French for three years part-time or hold a 'rusty' A-level in French.

In terms of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, this course, together with Speaking French - Higher Intermediate, prepares candidates for A2 and some competences of B1.

Not sure which level is right for you?  Find your level.

Learning and teaching

Regular attendance is vital because in order to develop your linguistic competence, you need to participate and take part in the structured activities your tutor will organise every week.

Between sessions, you will also be expected to prepare for topics and complete tasks to consolidate what you will have learnt in class.

Coursework and assessment

To award credits we need to have evidence of the knowledge and skills you have gained or improved.

Some of this has to be in a form that can be shown to external examiners so that we can be absolutely sure that standards are met across all courses and subjects.

You will not have formal examinations but you may have class tests. You may be asked to write assignments, keep a course journal or put together a portfolio.

Our assessments are flexible to suit the course and the student. The most important element of assessment is that it should enhance your learning.

Our methods are designed to increase your confidence and we try very hard to devise ways of assessing you that are enjoyable and suitable for adults with busy lives.

Reading suggestions

For this course there is no course book as such and your tutor will give you all the necessary up-to-date material linked to the themes studied. However, we suggest you buy this grammar book which you will be able to use this year and the following year:

• Grammaire Progressive du Francais: nouvelle edition, 2003 ; M. Gregoire, O. Thievenaz ; CLE International ; ISBN 2090338482
• Difficultes Expliquees Du Francais...for English Speakers, 2004 ; CLE International ; IBSN: 209033701X.

We do not suggest specific titles for you to read besides the course but we would like you to try and read newspapers and magazines on a regular basis. We receive the following periodicals in the library which would be most suitable for you:

• Ca m'interesse
• Le Francais dans le Monde
• Marianne, Authentik
• Champs Elysees.

You can access French periodicals via their websites.

To prepare for DELF A2, theses books would be helpful:

• Competences - Expression Orale, 2006; M. Barfety, P. Beaujouin ; CLE International
• Competences - Comprehension Ecrite, 2005 ; S. Poisson-Quinton, R. Mimran ; CLE International.

Library and computing facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University’s library and computing facilities. Find out more about using these facilities.

Accessibility

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and dyslexia screening.