Curricula

Objectives

The object of the course:
You will learn the basics of the French language and the culture of French speaking countries. By the end of the course, you can manage simple everyday communication situations in French. You know the most common polite phrases in French. You understand the cultural differences between Finland and the French speaking countries.

Course competences:
The course prepares and equips you to act and work in an international and multicultural environment.

The learning objectives of the course:
You can interact in simple and routine everyday situations, although problems in pronunciation and pauses may affect communication. You understand the main points of a simple text. You are able to write a simple text using the vocabulary and structures you have learned on the course. You understand the cultural differences between your home country and France.

Starting level: 0. Objective: A1 (according to CEFR)

Content

Do you want to learn the basics of the French language and get to know the culture of French-speaking countries?

This course is just for you!

In this course, you will learn:

- The basics of French pronunciation, so you can pronounce words correctly and understandably.
- How to use French in easy everyday interactions (such as greetings, introductions, talking about languages and nationalities, polite phrases, restaurant vocabulary, talking about family, arranging meetings, asking for directions, simple shopping phrases, talking about weather)
- The distinctive features of the culture of French-speaking countries.

The course also covers basic French grammar, so you will learn:

-personal pronouns and their stressed forms
-possessive pronouns
-numerals
-gender of a noun and the use of articles
-affirmative and negative sentences in present tense
-how to form basic questions
-present tense of regular and irregular verbs

Join us and start your journey into the world of the French language and culture! This course provides you with a solid foundation in the basics of French.

Starting level: 0. Objective: A1 (according to CEFR)

Learning materials and recommended literature

The course material is provided by teacher on Moodle. A computer is recommended for lectures as all the assignments are done online.

Teaching methods

Schedule: The course is organized between 2th February - 14th May. Weekly Zoom lectures at 16-18.30. Attending the Zoom lectures is required for course completion.

Course completion: During the course you will attend weekly Zoom lectures and practice independently by completing online exercises on Moodle. In addition, there will be 2 video assignments which will be returned to the teacher.

Assessment: Instead of a final exam, there will be 3 smaller mid-term exams. The exams and the video assignments will be graded on a pass/fail scale.

Important! From autumn 2024 onwards, the course will be graded as pass/fail. If you want a numerical assessment (1 - 5), it is possible to get it as a separate certificate. The need for a numerical assessment must be communicated to the teacher at the beginning of the course. The grading scale cannot be changed from pass/fail to numerical after the first assignment or exam has been marked.

Exam dates and retake possibilities

The student completes 3 smaller tests and 2 video assignments.

Re-sit opportunity in May. The exact time and date will be agreed with the participants once the course has started.

Student workload

30-50 h classroom teaching with 81-103 h independent work at home, exams 2-4h.
Total of 135 h (1 ECT is equivalent to 27 h)

Further information for students

Schedule: The course is organized between 2th February - 14th May. Weekly Zoom lectures at 16-18.30. Attending the Zoom lectures is required for course completion.

Course completion: During the course you will attend weekly Zoom lectures and practice independently by completing online exercises on Moodle. In addition, there will be 2 video assignments which will be returned to the teacher.

Assessment: Instead of a final exam, there will be 3 smaller mid-term exams. The exams and the video assignments will be graded on a pass/fail scale.

Important! From autumn 2024 onwards, the course will be graded as pass/fail. If you want a numerical assessment (1 - 5), it is possible to get it as a separate certificate. The need for a numerical assessment must be communicated to the teacher at the beginning of the course. The grading scale cannot be changed from pass/fail to numerical after the first assignment or exam has been marked.

This course is intended for those who have not studied French before.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Evaluation criteria, pass/failed

Pass:
You understand basic expressions from slow and clear speech. You can interact in simple and routine everyday situations, although problems in pronunciation and pauses may affect communication. You understand simple texts on familiar topics. You can write a simple text. There may still be some faltering in the use of vocabulary and language structures.

Fail:
The level of competence does not reach the minimum requirements, or the assignments and exams of the course have not been successfully completed.

NB! If you need a numerical grade (1 - 5), it can be obtained on a separate certificate. The need for a numerical assessment must be communicated to the teacher at the beginning of the course. After the first assessed assignment or test, it is no longer possible to change the grading scale from pass-fail to a numerical scale.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Further information

The course is suitable for anyone willing to learn about the basics of French and the culture of French speaking countries.