54
French Language and Translation
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
In accordance with the educational objectives of the Study Courses in which the course is taught, teaching aims to provide a solid basic competence in French, developing the four skills of written and oral comprehension and production. This objective is achieved through a communicative-contrastive teaching approach with the Italian language, focusing on basic morphology and syntax.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the basic knowledge and tools to recognise and understand the main elements of the French language, paying particular attention to morphological and morphosyntactic aspects. In a contrastive perspective with Italian, he/she will be able to demonstrate an initial grammatical competence and to correctly use the fundamental structures of the language, verified through written and oral tests.
The level of competence expected at the end of the course corresponds to level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which includes the ability to understand sentences and frequently used expressions and to communicate in simple and routine activities.
The student will be able to understand and produce simple oral and written texts on topics of general interest, using linguistic registers appropriate to the communicative situation. Basic communicative competence will be accompanied by a first knowledge of French and French-speaking civilisation, useful for moving with greater awareness in multicultural contexts.
The main methodologies of linguistic analysis will be introduced, enabling the student to critically and consciously approach issues related to multilingualism, interculturalism and social communication.
The course will also help to develop critical thinking skills, organisation and management of information from different sources, as well as communication skills useful in social and inclusive contexts.
Finally, the student will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to gather, evaluate and interpret information, and to use it effectively in the analysis of cultural and social issues related to the French language and civilisation.
FURTHER EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT
At the end of the course, the student will have to demonstrate the ability to make correct choices at a morphosyntactic level in both written and oral comprehension and production, in line with level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). He/she should also be able to collect and rework simple linguistic data related to oral communication or written texts, particularly of the narrative or elementary literary type, using the methodologies introduced during the course.
The student will be able to interpret the data collected in order to make autonomous judgements, formulate simple critical responses and reflect on linguistic, cultural and social issues related to the interaction between the French language and culture and those of his/her country.
He/she will be able to deal with fundamental aspects of French and French-speaking language, culture and society, identifying connections between the content addressed and the historical-social context of reference. He/she will also be able to autonomously evaluate data and information coming from different fields, developing a basic critical reflection.
Finally, the student will be able to work independently, using sources and bibliographical tools introduced in the course, to search for materials useful for any in-depth study or research activities, also in an interdisciplinary perspective.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
At the end of the course, the student will have to demonstrate the ability to communicate with speakers of French language and culture in a clear and appropriate manner, using correct morphology and syntax, and to formulate ideas, notions and critical evaluations relating to the nature and constitution of literary texts and documents, their drafting and translation, interlingual and intercultural relations and to express themselves taking into account the different registers of interaction in a manner appropriate to the type of interlocutor. They must also demonstrate that they are able to identify and communicate the main information contained in a French language text of a general nature and express personal opinions on current affairs and everyday life.
LEARNING ABILITY
At the end of the course, the student will have developed the fundamental learning skills to pursue the study of the French language, in particular with regard to the comprehension and analysis of simple texts, both literary and non-literary, and to the in-depth study of the first aspects related to learning and teaching the language.
He/she will be able to consult the reference bibliography in a guided manner, recognise and select relevant information from printed and digital sources, including websites and databases, useful for the study of the French language and civilisation.
the student will begin to develop an awareness of his/her own learning processes and to develop self-learning strategies, useful for the progressive acquisition of new knowledge and skills.
He/she will also have to demonstrate the ability to confidently apply the morphosyntactic elements studied during the course, which constitute the indispensable foundations for approaching subsequent studies of French language and literature with autonomy and method.
Course Prerequisites
To deal with the contents of the course, it is not necessary to have French language skills; instead, knowledge of the grammatical categories of Italian and their functions, as well as grammatical and logical analysis, is necessary.
PROPEDEUTICALITY
No prerequisites.
Teaching Methods
The course consists of lectures given by the lecturer, aimed at guiding the students in the learning of morphosyntactic topics. The lessons, conducted by the teacher in French and using a communicative and heuristic approach (active teaching), will encourage comprehension, reading skills, written and oral production. In order to verify the acquisition of knowledge in itinere, classroom exercises in the form of grammar exercises, dictation and written/oral comprehension activities or other in itinere tests are planned.
The lectures will be supplemented by lecture exercises, which will be held during both semesters, given by the CELs and aimed at ensuring that the students have adequate language practice to reach the required language level at the end of the course. Attendance at the course and exercises, although not compulsory, is highly recommended.
There are also self-study activities (at least 20 hours that will be certified during the oral examination) and an e-learning course that, although optional, is a valid tool for deepening and integrating the knowledge acquired. Participation in the e-learning course makes it possible to replace the examination text Vocabulaire expliqué du français - Niveau débutant.
Throughout the academic year, the opportunity will be offered to attend lectures and seminars held both by French language and literature lecturers from the Department of Literary, Linguistic and Comparative Studies and the Department of Human and Social Sciences and by scholars from the French and Francophone area, hosted at the University.
Assessment Methods
The examination consists of: a written and oral language skills assessment at a distance (on the Microsoft Teams platform and on the Moodle University platform) and an oral test in the classroom. Successful completion of the written language assessment is a prerequisite for the oral test.
The written language assessment consists of three separate tests: morphosyntax exercises, dictation and comprehension of a text with production in French. The three tests are designed to verify the acquisition and correct use of the main morphosyntactic structures of the French language. The use of a dictionary is not permitted for the assessment of written language skills.
Language of examination: French
Evaluation criteria: The final evaluation, expressed in thirtieths, is based on the overall result of the written test and the oral test and certifies the achievement of the course's training objectives, i.e. the acquisition of basic linguistic skills in French.
The written test assesses the student's ability to correctly apply the main morphosyntactic rules of the French language, to use vocabulary that is adequate and consistent with the expected level, to understand simple written texts and to produce short texts clearly and accurately. This test, which is divided into three sections (grammar exercises, dictation, comprehension of a written text with open questions), aims to verify the autonomous mastery of the linguistic structures learnt during the course.
The oral test aims to ascertain the ability to expound and summarise the contents of the programme in French, making use of correct grammatical structures and appropriate vocabulary. It will also assess fluency and communicative effectiveness, the ability to interact and the possible formulation of personal observations in relation to the topics covered. Particular attention will be paid to coherence of exposition and overall understanding of the topics addressed during the course, with the opportunity to engage in simple critical reflection.
Texts
Y. Delatour , Nouvelle Grammaire two French : Course of Civilization Francaise de la Sorbonne , Paris, Hachette, 2006 (recommended grammar);
L. Parodi, M. Vallacco , Grammathèque . Exercices , Bologna, Cideb , 2010 (recommended exercise book);
R. Mimran , Vocabulary explained two français (only Cahier d' exercices , niveau débutants ), Paris, Clé International, 2005 [MC only: the book must be presented at the completed oral exam];
L. Riehl, M. Soignet , M.-H. Amiot , Objectif Diplomatie , vol. 1, Paris, Hachette, 2017 [PR only: the book must be submitted to the completed oral exam];
R. Roesch , R. Rolle-Harold, France at quotidien , Grenoble, PUG, latest edition.
20-hour self-learning course to be completed at CLAOR, according to methods that will be indicated at the beginning of the course.
E-learning course (optional).
The course does not provide for a distinction in the program between attending and non-attending students.
Contents
Basic morphosyntactic path of the French language
General elements of French morphology:
1. phonétique, liaison, élision, découpage des mots, punctuation ;
2. Elements of morphology French : la sphère du nom (les déterminants et les substituts du nom, la quantification, la qualification );
3. Elements of morphology French : la sphère du verbe (la syntaxe du verbe, la form active/passive, la form pronominal, la form imsonnelle, les mode indicatif, subjonctif, conditionnel, impératif, infinitif, participe );
4. Elements of morphology French : les mots invariables (les prépositions, les adverbes );
5. Elements of morphology French : les différents types de phrases (la phrase interrogative, la phrase negative, la phrase exclamative).
Course Language
French
More information
Possession of a French language certificate, regardless of level, does not in any way exempt you from studying the examination syllabus nor does it replace any part of the scheduled tests.