Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• To teach French within the framework of the Council of Europe guidelines contained in the theme of 'languages for work and life' by including specific engineering tasks which require significant technical input and knowledge
• To encourage students to adopt the mode of 'learning languages for life' by taking responsibility for their own learning.
• To extend linguistic competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, with particular emphasis on the latter, to enable operation at an appropriate level in Europe.
• To extend technological knowledge and understanding of French industry.
• To learn to handle authentic materials, in any medium, in French.

Content

NB First introductory session of 2 hours on Thursday 7th May 2020

Students will be encouraged to research, dissect and find solutions to existing or potential problems/issues using technology and its application to the French-speaking world. This should be done by using all four linguistic skills and a specific knowledge of the correct terminology and structure of French.

All students will have to submit a report (up to 8 pages) and do a 10 minute oral presentation

Students will choose a topic in agreement with the project leader and/or the PhD student that will support them throughout the project.

FORMAT

In order to achieve results applicable to the French-speaking context, tasks will be underpinned by the following principles:

• task-based approach - to reflect the realities of current language use.

• skill integration - to operate efficiently in real life.

• language integration - to achieve the greatest degree of realism and authenticity.

• cultural awareness - to operate successfully in a linguistic and social sense.

A minimum of 2 hours (and up to 4 hours) contact or online teaching + 1 hour supervision + 12 hours untimetabled / week.

Group teaching, group work, pair work and individual work will be employed.

The projects will be run online or from CLIC to enable full use of the resources therein.

Assessment will be based on current and technical language (60%) and engineering (40%) content (but bilingual students will be marked on content for 60% and language for 40%).

ACTIVITIES

Class activities will aim to develop students’ oral and aural skills, as well as their reading and writing skills (including report writing).

FURTHER INFORMATION

A talk on Foreign Language Projects will be given on Wednesday 30 October 2019 from 1-2pm in the Language Unit seminar room.