French Conversational Elementary A2+

You have reached a Post-beginners, or higher, level (A2 or above) in French and you would like to practise the language through interactive activities such as conversation practice, role-playing, debates and negotiations. The main idea of a conversational course is to promote communication, pronunciation, vocabulary development and group discussion skills while focusing on current events and cultural topics in contemporary French and the Francophone world.

Key information

Course starting in October 2024

• Course: Tuesdays 12.30pm - 1.30pm
  Delivery: Oline
  Timeline: Starts 8 October 2024 - ends 25 March 2025
  Lengths: 20 weeks (60 learning hours)
  Fees: £150 (payable in two termly instalments of £75 each) 

This course will be taught in a small group. It requires a minimum of 7 and it can have up to a maximum of 12 students. The course fee includes all tuition, access to Blackboard, handouts and any tests/exams, but not a textbook. 

Term 1 runs from October to December, Term 2 from January to March and Term 3 from April to July. A full course comprises 60 learning hours. Lessons are two hours long and take place once a week. When enrolling you are committing to the full 20 weeks. There is the option to pay for the full course in one payment or two instalments. You are welcome to join in the second term of a course if you have previous knowledge and experience of the language.

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Entry level

You have reached the level A2 (or above) or you have enough knowledge to be on track with the group. You can use the ELP self-assessment grid to judge how competent you are in the language. Alternatively, if you require help to assess your level please contact us or come along to one of our drop-in sessions.

Course content

The following learning outcomes are designed to help learners enhance their basic conversational skills, enabling them to communicate more effectively and confidently in familiar, everyday situations in French.

Speaking and Interaction

• Basic Conversational Skills: Develop the ability to engage in simple, routine conversations on familiar topics, such as family, shopping, work and local geography.
• Expressing Basic Ideas: Learn to express basic personal information, likes, dislikes, and immediate needs using simple phrases and sentences.
• Initiating and Responding: Improve skills in initiating, maintaining and concluding short conversations, including asking and answering simple questions.
• Expressing Preferences and Opinions: Gain the ability to express basic preferences, opinions and feelings on familiar topics using simple language.

Listening and Comprehension

• Understanding Simple Speech: Comprehend the main points in short, clear, and slow speech on familiar topics, such as instructions, directions and basic information.
• Recognizing Familiar Words: Recognize and understand frequently used expressions and vocabulary related to areas of immediate relevance (e.g., personal and family information, shopping, local area).
• Following Basic Instructions: Follow simple instructions or directions in everyday situations, such as getting to a location or performing basic tasks.

Vocabulary and Language Use

• Expanding Basic Vocabulary: Increase vocabulary related to common, everyday topics, such as food, weather, travel and shopping.
• Forming Simple Sentences: Develop the ability to form simple, grammatically correct sentences to convey ideas and information.
• Using Basic Tenses: Apply basic verb tenses, particularly present, past and future to describe everyday activities and experiences.

Pronunciation and Intonation

• Clear Pronunciation: Improve pronunciation of common words and phrases, focusing on clarity and intelligibility.
• Basic Intonation Patterns: Start using basic intonation patterns to differentiate between statements, questions and exclamations.

Cultural Awareness and Context

• Understanding Everyday Customs: Gain awareness of basic cultural customs and practices in French-speaking countries, leading to more appropriate social interactions.
• Discussing Simple Cultural Topics: Learn to discuss simple aspects of French culture, such as traditional foods, holidays and daily routines.

Conversational Strategies

• Asking for Repetition: Develop strategies to ask for repetition or slower speech when something is not understood during a conversation.
• Using Visual Cues: Learn to rely on context, visual cues, and familiar phrases to aid comprehension in conversations.
• Rephrasing Simple Ideas: Practice rephrasing simple ideas or substituting words to overcome vocabulary gaps.

Confidence and Autonomy

• Increased Confidence in Basic Interactions: Build confidence to participate in basic conversations, even if the language is not perfect, encouraging more frequent use of French.
• Autonomy in Simple Communication: Gain the ability to handle short social exchanges and communicate basic needs independently.

Situational Applications

• Role-Playing Everyday Situations: Participate in role-playing exercises to practice conversational skills in common situations such as greeting people, shopping and ordering food.
• Managing Social Interactions: Improve the ability to manage simple social interactions, including introductions, making small talk and asking for assistance.

Resources

The tutor will advise of any textbooks required at the start of the course.

Our approach

This course is taught in French; English is used when necessary or requested by students in particular situations or grammar explanations. Our programme aims to develop the conversational language skills of listening and speaking, as well as cultural awareness. It provides a good balance between understanding the culture, vocabulary and grammar structures of the French language and enhancing communication and interaction. It supports comprehensive and productive skills in speech through authentic based activities and guided practice in the use of French language. Students will be encouraged to seek opportunities to learn and practise the four skills outside the classroom taking advantage of learning resources provided by tutors and the programme. Group numbers are limited to 12 students and planned to allow intensive interactive practice with individual feedback and advice on progress.