- Overview
- Module description
French for Business (FLF3630)
| Staff | Dr Helene Street - Convenor |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 30 |
| ECTS Value | 15 |
| NQF Level | 6 |
| Pre-requisites | Completion of FLF3515/3530 or equivalent |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Duration of Module | Term 1: 11 weeks; Term 2: 11 weeks; |
Module aims
The module is appropriate for students who have spent a period of study / work in a country where the language is spoken (such as students on a 'with European Study' programme) and/or have completed Advanced level courses. Please note that this module is NOT appropriate for native speakers of the language. This module is broadly equivalent to C1/C2 - Proficient User of the Common European Framework for languages, and aims to:
-
review and consolidate advanced structures and vocabulary of the target language, extending these to cover specifically vocational and business-oriented topics
-
develop the particular skills required to understand and use written and spoken French as used in general business contexts. The economic terms and concepts developed will be those encountered, for example, in non-specialist but informed publications devoted to current business affairs.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Demonstrate a consistent grammatical control of complex language and structures of the target language
- 2. Read, comprehend and summarise a wide range of demanding, longer written and aural texts in most registers on business-related topics in the target language, including articles and reports concerned with business issues in which the writers adopt particular attitudes and viewpoints
- 3. Communicate confidently, very fluently and precisely in range of business-related situations, both orally and in writing, and demonstrate the ability to research a specialist business topic, extracting and summarising key information from a range of written and spoken sources, and produce a written portfolio of material to a high professional standard
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. Demonstrate advanced levels of autonomy in language learning, with minimal direction from the teacher
- 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, including a specialist dictionary, to consolidate his/her learning
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 6. Make an oral presentation confidently and articulately on a business- related topic, expanding on and responding to requests for further information from others, and hold a job interview situation in the target language
- 7. Work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team, reacting to situations as appropriate
- 8. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign business culture.
Syllabus plan
The module provides a systematic approach to acquiring essential grammar structures in a communicative context and in accordance with the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. It covers the following grammar / topics: Main grammar At this level, students are expected to demonstrate competence in the use of all advanced grammatical structures. However, there may be remedial revision / consolidation of the following grammar during the module, including: Passive voice, Undefined article & preposition, Writing a summary, Writing a business letter Passee Compose or Imparfait, Future Simple or Future Anterior, Uses of the subjunctive Making comparisons, Infinitive, Conditional, Imperatives, Causes & consequences Expressing aims, Writing and responding to an insurance letter, Problems of translation Adverbs of quantities Main Topics The following list is indicative of some of the topics to be covered: Public Sector in the French Economy, Diversity of firms, Economic sectors, Banking services Credit, Who are the entrepreneurs?, French Education & Grandes Ecoles, How to create a firm Sample of major French firms, Business Interview, Meet someone from a French company What kind of contract?, Work in France/The labour market, Which organisation & structure? Organisational chart, Rights of the employee, Unions in France / Strikes, Market study Marketing and advertising, Sales, Selling abroad, Intelligence economique, Communication Distribution, Ordering on-line, I.T., Reading and writing an invoice, Insurance Choosing the right insurance, Economic Sectors, Business Interview, Presenting and analysing figures, Stock Market, Firms and the environment
Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as pair / group work and role playing, and include the study of short texts, oral development work and listening comprehension exercises. The module is taught as far as possible in the target language.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | 234 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 66 | Language classes |
| Guided independent study | 234 | Consolidation of learning; learning activities are supported by various media, including audio, video / DVD, and, where appropriate, computer software. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 15 | 45 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-class test | 15 | 2 Hours | 1-5, 8 | written |
| Listening test | 15 | Approx 1 hour | 2,4,5,8 | written |
| Oral test | 15 | 12-13 minutes | 1, 3-6, 8 | written |
| Dossier | 40 | 1-6, 8 | written | |
| Oral presentation | 15 | 15-20 minutes | 1,3-6,8 | written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| In class test | See Dossier | 1-6, 8 | Referral/deferral period |
| Listening test | See oral test | 1, 3-6, 8 | Referral/deferral period |
| Oral test | Oral test | 2,4,5,7,8 | Referral/deferral period |
| Dossier | Dossier | 1-6, 8 | Referral/deferral period |
| Oral presentation | See oral test | 1, 3-6, 8 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Oral Test = 25%, Dossier = 75%
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Main course book:
Jean-Luc Penfornis, Affaires.com, 2003
Recommended materials: Penfornis, Vocabulaire progressive du Francais des Affaires avec 200 exercises, Fernand Nathan (1 juillet 2004)
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/search.php?search=FLF3630
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
2010
Last revision date
March 2012
Key words search
French, business
