French I

This course is designed for English native or bilingual speakers who are beginners in French. The language of instruction will be both French and English to facilitate learning. The course aims to develop students’ basic understanding and expression (mostly written) in French on familiar subjects. 

Based on thematic files, comprehension and expression exercises will be offered. Addressing points of grammar and vocabulary, the structure, style and coherence of speech and its use in context is systematic in each session. 

Note: This course is an alternative to the “Academic English” course in which French and Dutch native speakers will be placed by default. 

The content and activities proposed in the syllabus are selected according to the parameters relating to targeting a A1 level at the end of the first semester and A2-B1 at the end of the second, according to the CEFR recommendations.  

By the end of the course, learners should be able to: 

Understand and express themselves in clear, standard French on familiar subjects. 

Recount experiences and discuss projects or ideas in French. 

Develop a basic understanding of French culture and society. 

Connaissances et compétences pré-requises ou co-requises

None.

The course includes comprehension and expression exercises, group work, and regular interaction. Exercises for reflection, practice, or repetition are to be done at home.  

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

References will be communicated during the course.

Support(s) de cours

• Syllabus
• Université virtuelle

Informations complémentaires

The diagnostic test during the first session of the course (19/09/24) allows you to obtain an exemption for the course, provided that the mark obtained is greater than or equal to 18/20. 

The exam is validated if the student obtains a score greater than or equal to 10/20. 

In agreement with the faculty, validation of the exam gives the right to 5 ECTS credits if this is clearly mentioned in the student 's learning agreement. 

Contacts

Béatrice Vermeulen beatrice.vermeulen@ulb.be 

Permanences : Thursday from 12pm to 2pm by appointment made by email. 

Campus

Solbosch

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Examen écrit
• Examen oral

Examen écrit

Examen oral

Written exam carried out at the end of each semester and aimed at evaluating the content covered during the course.  

Oral exam carried out at the end of each semester and aimed at evaluating the content covered during the course. 

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

Evaluation includes a written and an oral exams. Successful completion grants 5 ECTS credits. 

• Written exam 

• Oral exam 

January oral et written exam: ½ of the final grade. 

June oral et written exam : ½ of the final grade. 

The UE is credited if the grades in the January and June partial session each reach a minimum of 10/20. 

If the student does not present or fails for one of the parts in January or in June, he/she will have to retake the exam in the second session. The parties whose scores are higher than 10/20 will no longer have to be represented, only the party concerned by the failure will have to be represented. 

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• français