French

More than 200 million people speak French around the world. Being bilingual is an enviable tool in the cosmopolitan world we live in. If you can speak a second language you will be more marketable and have more career choices than your monolingual counterpart when taking your next step after A Levels. 

As the world’s fifth biggest economy and number-three destination for foreign investment, France is a key economic partner.

Our course is lively and demanding, covering a range of interesting topics with a cultural dimension over the two year course. Languages combine well with other subjects at university and provides you with the practical skills for careers where a foreign language is essential. Studying French will also equips with you many of  the general skills needed to succeed in Higher Education such as an ability to analyse texts, write essays and do research.

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Aspects of French-speaking society:

• The changing nature of family  

• The ‘cyber-society’ 
• The place of voluntary work 
• Life for the marginalised 
• How criminals are treated  

Artistic culture in the French-speaking world

•  A culture proud of its heritage 
• Contemporary francophone music 
• Cinema

Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world

• Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment 
• Demonstrations, strikes 
• Politics and immigration  

Literary texts and films:

• Albert Camus L’étranger
• La Haine Mathieu Kassovitz (1995)

We use contemporary sources of information.  As well as a new generation of text books, we also have access to up to date on-line resources with interactive exercises, videos and power points. Students can access these resources from home in order to work independently.

The versatility of studying French means the course can lead you in many different directions. For example, becoming a computer programmer, teacher, language trainer, translator, engineer, banker, the civil service, travel and tourism, marketing or public relations, pharmaceutical work, journalism and media or transport and distribution.

Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Writing (2 ½ hours) (50%)

Paper 2: Writing (2 hours) (20%)

Paper 3: Speaking (21-23 minutes including 5 minutes preparation time) (30%)

100% examination at the end of 2 the year course

Whenever possible we encourage our students to take part in organised trips to foreign language lectures, films and events and have good contacts with our local universities.