UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Confirmation that this version of the module specification has been approved by the School
Learning and Teaching Committee:
……… A. Stähler, 01 JUN 2015……….(date)
MODULE SPECIFICATION
1.
Title of the module
FR591/FR647 – Learning French 5
2.
School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the
module
School of European Culture and Languages (French)
3.
Start date of the module
1994 (Revised for September 2015)
4.
The number of students expected to take the module
About 70
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and
consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
None
6.
The level of the module (e.g. Level 4, Level 5, Level 6, or Level 7)
Level 6
7.
The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents
FR591 – 15 Credits (7.5 ECTS); FR647 – 30 Credits (15 ECTS)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Autumn and Spring
9.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
FR589 – Learning French 4 (or equivalent).
FR591 is required for students who pursue a degree in French. It is open to bilingual
students with secondary education in a Francophone country, and French native speakers.
FR647 can only be taken by students who have been dispensed from the Year Abroad
(LA514) or who have failed the Year Abroad. Native speakers of French are required to
take FR591. Any bilingual students with secondary education in a Francophone country
who have been dispensed from the Year Abroad (LA514) will be evaluated to determine
whether or not the extra work involved in FR647 is of benefit to them.
10. The programmes of study to which the module contributes
All French Single Honours, Joint Honours, and related programmes.
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11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
11.1 Demonstrate consolidated and extended translation skills. This is done via
exposure to a selection of texts covering a range of registers and topic areas,
including the journalistic and the literary.
11.2 Demonstrate consolidated and extended ability to accurately recognise and use a
range of registers in French, and gained enhanced sensitivity to the equivalent
English registers.
11.3 Demonstrate perfected linguistic skills by means of studying grammatical and
lexical subtleties of the French language.
11.4 Analysed and gained a deeper understanding of concepts (both linguistic and
cultural), and the relation between such concepts, in both French and English.
11.5 Demonstrate the benefit of having had regular oral practice in French on an
extensive range of topics, including academic topics, at an advanced level.
In addition, students registered for FR647 will be able to:
11.6 Demonstrate a thorough and critical understanding of the theoretical and practical
problems involved with translation from English into French and vice versa.
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
12.1 Demonstrate consolidated and extended ability to identify and analyse concepts,
and the relation between concepts, in both the target language and English.
12.2 Demonstrate the ability to converse in the target language on a range of topics,
including academic topics, at an advanced level.
12.3 Demonstrate enhanced skills of oral as well as written presentation and selfexpression.
12.4 Demonstrate the ability to engage in independent study and research through a
variety of methods (including the use of dictionaries and grammars).
In addition, students registered for FR647 will be able to:
12.5 Demonstrate advanced written compositional skills in the target language
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
The module develops advanced proficiency in writing, speaking and comprehending
French. It concentrates on translation into French and English and the development of
analytical skills in the production of written and spoken French. Translation exercises
confront students with a variety of advanced texts in different styles and registers, and
encourage accuracy and critical reflection as well as acquisition and consolidation of
grammatical structures. The language skills component combines discursive writing on
advanced topics with the development of proper oral competence through discussion.
Conversation classes with a native speaker develop presentational ability, and enable
students to speak fluently and idiomatically at the advanced level.
For students who are studying FR591:
Students engage in the following activities throughout the year:
 translation from French into English, using a range of registers and topics
 translation from English into French, using journalistic and literary texts
 study grammatical and lexical subtleties of the French language
 group discussion on specific topics
 preparation for oral exam in small groups
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For students who are studying FR647:
Students of French who did not spend a year abroad in a French-speaking country are
nevertheless expected to achieve a near-native level of French by the end of their degree.
Familiarity with the language, as spoken and written at professional level – for example in
journalism or literature – is expected, together with a well-stocked vocabulary, a reasonable
command of idiom in common use and a sense of linguistic appropriateness to context.
Students engage in the following activities throughout the year:
 translation from French into English, using a range of registers and topics
 translation from English into French, using journalistic and literary texts
 study of grammatical and lexical subtleties of the French language
 group discussion on specific topics
 preparation for oral exam in small groups
 written composition in French
14. Indicative Reading List
module workbook (translation + vocabulary + French language for translation seminar)
module workbook (conversation seminar)
Armstrong , N. (2005) Translation, Linguistics, Culture: A French-English Handbook.
Bristol : Multilingual Matters.
Chuquet, H. and Paillard, M. (2004) Approche linguistique des problèmes de traduction
anglais-français. Paris : Ophrys.
Hawkins, R. and Towell R. (2015) French Grammar and Usage, 4th edition, Oxford:
Routledge.
Hawkins, R. and Towell R. (2015) Practicing French Grammar, 4th edition, Oxford:
Routledge.
Hervey, S. and Higgins, I. (2002) Thinking French Translation: a course in translation
method: French-English, second edition. Oxford: Routledge.
Hiernard, J.M. (2003) Les règles d'or de la traduction anglais/français - français/anglais.
Paris : Ellipses.
Meertens, R. (2012) Guide anglais-français de la traduction. Paris : Chiron.
Vinay, J.-P. and Darbelnet, J. (2013) Stylistique Comparée du Français et de l' anglais.
Paris : Didier.
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours
and the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to
achievement of the intended module learning outcomes
For students who are studying FR591:
There are two contact hours per week, one one-hour Translation seminar (learning
outcomes 11.1-4; 12.1, 3, 4), and one one-hour conversation seminar (learning outcomes
11.2, 5; 12.2, 3). Total contact hours: 40.
Total hours of self-study: 110.
Additional, optional, study material is available in the Multi-Media Labs.
Total study hours 150.
For students who are studying FR647:
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There are three contact hours per week, one one-hour Translation seminar (learning
outcomes 11.1-4, 6; 12.1, 3-4), one one-hour conversation seminar (learning outcome 11.5;
12.2, 3), one written composition seminar (12.6) Total contact hours: 60.
Total hours of self-study: 240.
Additional, optional, study material is available in the Multi-Media Labs.
Total study hours 300.
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended
module learning outcomes
For students studying FR591 the course is 50% coursework and 50% exam:
50% examination:
There will be a two-hour examination in the summer term, during which candidates will
translate one passage from French into English (journalistic) and one passage from English
into French (literary). Bilingual dictionaries (French - English) are allowed in translation tests
and exams (but not other ICAs). Tests achievement of learning outcomes 11.1-4; 12.1.
The 50% coursework:
- 1 thème mark (7.5 %)
- 1 version mark (7.5 %)
- „Sur table‟ into French (10%)
- „Sur table‟ into English (10%)
- Oral Presentation – 15 minutes (15%)
The translation coursework tests achievement of learning outcomes 11.1-4; 12.1. 12.4.
The oral examination, in which students will present and discuss a suitable topic of their
choosing, tests achievement of learning outcomes 11.3, 5; 12.2-4.
For students studying FR647 the course is 50% coursework and 50% exam:
50% examination:
There will be a three-hour examination in the summer term, during which candidates will
translate one passage from French into English (journalistic) and one passage from English
into French. Bilingual dictionaries (French - English) are allowed in translation tests and
exams (but not other ICAs). Students will also be required to provide a translation
commentary, which will analyse problems they encountered when translating the texts.
Tests achievement of learning outcomes 11.1-4; 11.6.
The 50% coursework:
- one 1,500 word composition in French (10%)
- 1 thème mark (7.5 %)
- 1 version mark (7.5 %)
- „Sur table‟ into French (5%)
- „Sur table‟ into English (5%)
- Oral Presentation – 15 minutes ( 15%)
The translation coursework tests achievement of learning outcomes 11.1-5, 6; 12.1, 5.
The oral examination tests achievement of learning outcomes 11.3, 5; 12.2-4.
The composition tests achievement of learning outcomes 11.1-3, 12.5
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
None
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18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability
equality legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special
educational need in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable
adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or substitute materials,
teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and
discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared
disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with the University’s
disability/dyslexia support service, and specialist support will be provided where
needed.
19. Campus(es) or Centre(s) where module will be delivered:
Canterbury
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