Ateneo - UPO

The module organically integrates two complementary parts: the annual French Language B: Practical Exercises III course (96 hours) approaches the study of the language from a practical perspective, enabling students to progress from CEFR level B2 to level C1 in all the skills set out in the descriptors, with a particular focus on developing translation skills from Italian into French (a 48-hour course taught by Mme Vitroni), written composition and communication skills in preparation for the oral examination (a 48-hour course taught by Dr Sicco). The French Linguistics B course (30 hours), which will take place in the first semester and is taught by Prof. Audéoud, adopts a metalinguistic approach and focuses on the issue of linguistic variation, with particular attention to diastratic and generational variation, from both a diachronic and synchronic perspective, through the analysis of various types of corpora.

N. Amstrong, Social and Stylistic variation in Spoken French, Amsterdam, Benjamins, 2001. A. Lodge, A sociolinguistic History of Parisian French, Cambridge University Press, 2004.
For students not attending the translation course (taught by Mme Vitroni): Françoise Bidaud; *Traduire le français aujourd’hui*, Utet Univ. 2014, ISBN 9788860084439. Reference grammar (available at the library of the UPO University Campus in Vercelli): Anne Abeillé, Danièle Godard (eds.), La grande grammaire du français: 2 volumes, Actes Sud Editions, 2021, 2628 pp.

The integrated course combines a metalinguistic approach, which enables learners to develop critical and analytical skills in the field of sociolinguistics, with a practical language learning programme which, in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), enables learners to achieve Level C1 across the various skills, as detailed on the relevant webpage (Common European Framework of Reference for Language Skills): https://europass.europa.eu/it/common-european-framework-reference-language-skills

For students enrolled in the third year of the Modern Foreign Languages degree programme: successful completion of the French II exam, level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): For students on the Master’s degree programme in Languages, Cultures and Tourism (LM49): level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (the language proficiency of first-year students enrolled on the LCT programme will be assessed during the preliminary interview scheduled after enrolment).

Lectures supported by audiovisual aids (for French Language Practicals B, lecture-based teaching: approximately 50%; for French Linguistics B, lecture-based teaching: approximately 75%). Interaction between students and lecturers; in-class marking of exercises (for French Language Seminars B, interactive teaching: approximately 50%; for French Linguistics B, interactive teaching: approximately 25%). The course’s DIR page features exercises to be completed independently, as well as supplementary and in-depth teaching materials, which form an essential complement to the activities carried out in class.

The DIR service will provide a detailed programme, instructions for compulsory work, examples of written exam papers, exercise sheets and dictations to be completed. Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD) or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request specific services and resources designed for them by contacting the Career Development and Coordination and Student Services Team and consulting the dedicated page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa. Students with disabilities, SLDs or SEN, once they have made contact with the University staff, may contact the course lecturer regarding the arrangements for the examination and any teaching-related matters.

Each of the partial examinations that make up the integrated module comprises both a written and an oral component. The assessment of knowledge and skills takes equal account of the results achieved in the two modules: the final mark for French Language III is therefore calculated as the average of the marks obtained in the two modules that make up the integrated examination.

The programme for the French Linguistics B module adopts a metalinguistic approach: the study of linguistic variation, particularly diastratic and generational variation; analysis of the morphology of slang vocabulary, truncations and abbreviations; a description of the syntax of spontaneous speech; morphological and semantic neologisms; and loanwords from other languages (including ‘franglais’); for the French Language Practicals B course, the programme involves the study of the language at C1 level, applied to the various skills, with a focus – in addition to communicative skills in preparation for the oral examination – on two techniques: the translation of a prose or non-fiction text from Italian into French and the writing of a structured essay, which forms the basis of the two written examination papers.

Knowledge and understanding: The French Language Course III not only brings learners up to a full C1 level of proficiency according to the CEFR across the various skills covered by the descriptors, but also enables them to develop a metalinguistic and critical approach, with a focus on colloquial French in the areas of morphology, phonology and semantics. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Learners will have a clear understanding of linguistic variation – particularly diastratic, generational and diaphasic variation – and will be able to use appropriate terminology to describe, within various types of corpora, the various lexical and semantic phenomena analysed during the course. They will also be able to translate contemporary prose and non-fiction texts from Italian into French, addressing the issue of linguistic registers and their specific usage. Students will therefore be able to effectively combine the metalinguistic skills acquired during the Linguistics B course with the practical language study undertaken in the B practical sessions. In particular, they will be able to:
- understand a long speech even if it is not clearly structured and the relationships between ideas are not explicitly stated but remain implicit; understand television programmes and films without too much effort.
- understand long and complex literary and informative texts and appreciate differences in style, as well as specialist articles.
- Express oneself fluently and spontaneously without having to search for words; use the language flexibly and effectively in social and professional contexts; formulate ideas and opinions precisely; and link one’s own contributions to those of other speakers.
- Present clear and well-structured descriptions of complex topics, incorporating secondary themes, developing specific points and concluding appropriately.
- write clear and well-structured texts, analytically developing one’s own point of view; write texts setting out complex arguments, highlighting the key points; and choose the style best suited to the intended readership.