FRENCH LANGUAGE

FRENCH LANGUAGE COURSES

French language courses are intended to give a general knowledge of the language and aim to improve the students’ communication skills. The courses emphasize the practical and the day-to-day use of the target language in relation to everyday life in the target culture. The communicative approach - working mainly through video documents - offers role-plays, group discussions, listening comprehension exercises as well as written comprehension and essay writing. Current materials, including videotapes and audio documents as well as books and various texts are used in class to familiarize students with aspects of language and contemporary culture.

The content of all courses facilitates achievement of the learning objectives for practice of the four language skills taught: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Upon successful completion of the courses, students achieve competence in:

  1. Listening: isolate and understand relevant information from semi-scripted speech (LAN - 105, 106, 107) and/or authentic speech in order to simulate real-life spoken French (LAN - 108, 110)
  2. Speaking: improve pronunciation and show confidence and accuracy in speaking
  3. Reading: adequately understand vocabulary and grammatical structures in context in order to obtain specific and general information from written sources
  4. Writing: demonstrate enough accuracy and fluency of written language to convey information in writing

COURSE DESCRIPTION

LAN  105  French – Beginner level I
 

First course in a sequential series; open to both beginners and those with some previous experience with French; study basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Basic grammatical structure of the language emphasizing practical vocabulary, everyday situations, and cultural insights through conversational exchange. Upon successful completion of the course, students can introduce themselves, describe things they have, people they know, the place where they live as well as give information about their everyday life and present their projects for the near future. They can write a short informal letter and interact in a simple way in basic situations concerning these matters as long as the other person is ready to speak clearly and slowly and to repeat if necessary.

By the end of the semester, students are expected to be close to functioning at the A1 (Breakthrough) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.



LAN  106  French – Beginner level II
 

Second course in a sequential series; study of basic language skills continued. Strengthening of communication skills, both oral and written.
At this stage, students can understand the main points of clear, standard speech on familiar subjects. Upon successful completion of the course, students can communicate in simple routine situations and handle short social exchanges about familiar and everyday topics: lifestyle dress, daily routine, leisure activities, directions plans, holiday’s topics, talking about past events and future plans. They can write a simple, connected text on familiar topics which are of personal interest.

By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to function at the A1 (Breakthrough) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Prerequisite: LAN 105 or equivalent.


LAN  107   French – Intermediate level I
 

Third course in a sequential series; further development of knowledge of the language and strengthening of communication skills, both oral and written. At this stage, students are expected to attain a certain confidence in their written and oral expression related to routine matters (e.g., shopping, going to market and to restaurant, conversing on the phone…): they can interact in a simple situation of everyday life, describe past events or projects for the future, express wishes and hypotheses; they can write in a coherent way a short essay using complex sentences.

By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to function at the A2 (Waystage) level of the Common European Framework for Languages.

Prerequisite: LAN 106 or equivalent.
 
LAN  108   French - Intermediate level II

Fourth course in a sequential series; further development of knowledge of the language and in particular strengthening of written skills allowing students to comprehend simple authentic documents and to present them both orally and in writing. The course explores different aspects of contemporary France using audiovisual materials, films and newspaper articles in order to increase students’ communication skills and to acquire cultural information about the French-speaking world. Upon successful completion of the course, students can understand the main points of written or oral documents dealing with familiar issues and can interact in most situations of everyday life.

By the end of the semester, students are expected to be well on their way to functioning at the B1 (Threshold) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
 
Prerequisite: LAN 107 or equivalent.

 
 
SPECIAL PURPOSE COURSES
 

LAN  110   French for Specific Purposes "History and Archaeology" - Intermediate level I
 
Third course is designed to meet the requirements of students learning a foreign language for use in the specific field of research of Classical Studies, History, Archeology, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies and who have already completed a beginning level sequence. It aims to develop reading comprehension of French texts in these areas of specialization. The course is suitable as well for students preparing for post-graduate studies in a francophone university.
Particular attention is focused on specialized vocabulary and terminology in the above fields of study. Grammatical knowledge is expanded within the context of the texts that are read.

Based on the reading of texts of progressive difficulty, the course presents an overview of the history, archaeology and art of Ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome. Upon successful completion of the course students can read with basic understanding texts in French in the field of classical studies.
 
Prerequisite: LAN 106 or equivalent.
 
LAN  205  French for European and International Relations
 
The purpose of this specialized course is to provide students with knowledge of European and International relations through the medium of French and to encourage the practice of the French language in this specific context.  The course will include thematic presentations, but will also be task-oriented.  The course will develop comprehension and production competence as well as intercultural skills.  Possible themes will include:  The functioning of European and international institutions, the political, economic and social cooperation, European and Regional integration, etc.  Through the successful completion of this course students will gain a substantial advantage for their future careers.
 
Prerequisite:  LAN  106 or equivalent  (except for European Studies students)
 
 
LAN  206   Business French
 
The course specifies how companies work and the French way of approach to commercial relationships.  This sensitization about cultural aspects will be accompanied by the acquisition of practical knowledge:  for instance, write a CV, telephone negotiatie prices, write a business letter, deal with clients, organize a business trip. etc..  The teaching of this course will be based on authentic audio-visual and written documents and task-based learning. It will lead to a communication ability directly operational in the world of business.  This course will prepare students for the "Certificate of Professional French" or for the "Business French Diploma" of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
 
Prerequisite:  LAN 106 or equivalent  (except for European Studies students)
 


 
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