Advanced French for Science – FR365
Module Code
FR365
Credits
12 ECTS
Semesters
1 and 2
Module co-ordinator
Dr. Ornaith Rodgers
ornaith.rodgers@nuigalway.ie
Ext. 3800
AM321 (2nd floor, Arts Millennium Building)
Hours per week
3
Materials
Supplied in class and available on blackboard
Module Aims and Objectives
This module is designed for 3rd Year Science students who have already
completed the Applied French for Science (FR252) module or equivalent. The
programme aims to further develop within a scientific context, students’ oral and
written communication skills acquired during the second year of university
study. More specifically, it seeks to bring their proficiency in French to Level B2
of the Common European Framework. In particular, this programme aims to
reinforce and extend students’ vocabulary by exposing them to more specialised
scientific language in French. The module also aims to teach students to
manipulate known grammatical structures and to introduce them more complex
grammatical structures in French. In addition, students also study the
professional and day-to-day oral and written language skills they would need if
working in a French-speaking environment in the scientific sector. Interview
skills, presentation techniques, CV preparation and professional correspondence
skills are all taught to develop practical language skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1) demonstrate a good knowledge of specialised French for Science in a
precise range of lexical areas
2) read, comprehend and interpret authentic documents in French relating
to a specific range of topics in Science
3) manipulate known grammatical structures in French and use more
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advanced grammatical tenses and structures such as the passive voice
and the subjunctive
4) use oral and written French to discuss, to argue, to express opinions, to
persuade, to convince and to refute
5) make a detailed oral presentation in the target language
6) do an interview in French
7) prepare professional documents in French such as CVs, reports, emails,
letters of application etc.
8) produce clear, structured and grammatically accurate written work using
tenses, verb forms, syntactic structures and a level of vocabulary
reflecting work done during the year
Module Delivery
This module is delivered through three 1 hour classes per week devoted to text
analysis, grammar/writing skills and oral communication skills.
The text analysis class is devoted to the analysis and discussion of a variety of
texts. These are texts based on specialised scientific themes related to students’
subject areas and typically include topics such as cancer research, the Hadron
collider, bioterrorism, the origins of the Universe, robotics, natural resources,
facebook, superbugs etc. However, the topic areas covered in any given year are
modified so that they are relevant to students’ subject areas and needs. The
vocabulary and structures studied in these texts is consolidated through the use
of supporting resources such as video clips, discussion classes, terminology
glossaries and multimedia lab work.
The grammar/ writing skills class is an interactive class focusing on the
improvement of students’ understanding of the grammar and structures of the
French language through the completion of grammar exercises and games, webbased grammar activities and regular written assignments (opinion pieces,
reports, commentaries). Students also extend their knowledge of French
grammar by focusing on more advanced structures such as the subjunctive, the
passive voice and relative pronouns. In addition, in this class, students are given
the writing skills they would need to work in a French-speaking environment.
They thus also focus on the production of professional documents in French such
as CVs, reports, letters of application, memos and emails.
In the oral communication skills class, guided conversation activities,
discussions, communication games, pairwork and debates are used to develop
students’ general oral communication skills, while authentic audio-visual
materials are used to improve students’ receptive skills. Themes covered are
both of general interest and related to Science. The language skills needed to
argue, reason, express opinions, convince, persuade and refute in French provide
an important focus of this class. However, interview skills, presentation
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techniques, telephone skills and formal conversational skills also form part of
this class in order to give students the spoken skills needed to work in a Frenchspeaking environment.
The vocabulary, grammar and syntactic structures studied during the
programme are reinforced through the completion of a powerpoint presentation
and report on an area of scientific research chosen by the student.
Students are expected to attend regularly and to actively engage with the
language through their active participation in class and through the regular
completion of homework and self-study activities.
Diplôme de français scientifique et technique
Students are also given the opportunity to take the exams for the Diplôme de
français scientifique et technique, awarded by the French Chamber of Commerce.
This exam is optional and takes place in February of each year.
Module Assessment
The module is assessed as follows:
Continuous Assessment
20%
Oral Examination
15%
Presentation
15%
Final Examination
50%
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