Foreign Language (French)

Bachelor 2021/2022

Category 'Best Course for Career Development'

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'

Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'

Type: Elective course

Area of studies: International Relations

Delivered by: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

Where: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

When: 4 year, 1-3 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Фоминых Анастасия Павловна, Marina S. Levina, Natalia V. Zhukova

Language: English

ECTS credits: 7

Contact hours: 224

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The French Language course is intended for 4-year students in the International Relations training program as part of the HSE and University of London International Relations Double Degree Program. By the end of the 4th year, students are expected to develop a set of competencies for students corresponding to the B2 + level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Learning Objectives

teach students to work with authentic socio-political, journalistic (media) written texts (understand the general / detailed content, extract the requested information).
teach students to work with authentic texts of a significant amount of socio-cultural, socio-political and economic topics (understand the general / detailed content, isolate the requested information, highlight significant and secondary information, analyze the logical structure of the text, etc.).
to develop and improve the skills of adequate perception of authentic written and oral texts of a large volume of socio-cultural, socio-political and economic topics.
to give students' basic abilities and skills in the main types of speech activity (reading, writing, listening, speaking), necessary for solving communicative problems in the socio-cultural and everyday spheres of activity, for further self-education.
o form skills of adequate perception (to understand the general / detailed content, to extract the requested information, to isolate emotionally rich information) of oral authentic texts of a significant amount of various types (monologue, dialogue, etc.), economic / socio-political / socio-cultural topics.
to form skills of adequate perception (to understand the general / detailed content, to extract the requested information) of oral authentic texts of various types (monologue, dialogue, etc.), socio-cultural / socio-political / social and economic topics.
to form the skills of adequate perception of non-linear texts (diagrams, tables, graphs, etc.): understand the general / detailed content, extract the requested information, carry out a comparative analysis of the information according to established criteria, etc.
to show students how to work (understand the general / detailed content, extract the requested information) with written texts of different genres (adapted narrative text with description elements, message, letter, questionnaire, etc.).
to develop and improve the skills of producing monologic and dialogical speech (including in the form of a message, public speech / report on socio-cultural, socio-political and economic topics), demonstrating the ability to freely and productively use the basic lexical units, grammatical forms and constructions in the framework of the studied / studied topics.
to develop skills for transmitting the content of sounding text using the compte-rendu (abstracting) or résumé (annotating) techniques in oral and written form.
to form skills of adequate perception (to understand the general / detailed content, to extract the requested information) of oral texts of various types (monologue, dialogue, etc.)
to form the skills of analysis / synthesis of information in the form of a computer presentation.
to develop and improve the skills of producing oral texts in accordance with the communicative task.
to develop and improve the skills of transmitting the contents of oral and written text depending on the planned speech (short message, comment, annotation, etc.).
to form skills in the production of oral and written texts in accordance with the communicative task (retelling of the text, monologue on a given topic, letter to a friend, etc.).
to form the skills of producing written texts in accordance with the communicative task (abstract / résumé, reasoned statement on a given topic, writing, etc.).
introduce students to the sociocultural stereotypes of speech behavior in French and their native language, the degree of their compatibility / incompatibility.
to develop and improve the skills of extraction and analytical-synthetic processing of information from printed and electronic sources of information in accordance with the communicative task.
to get acquainted students with the basic principles and rules for translating professionally oriented text from Russian into French and from French into Russian.
to develop and improve the skills of interpretation and translation from French into Russian and from Russian into French within the framework of the topics studied.
to form skills of productive use of basic lexical units, grammatical forms and constructions (within the framework of the topics being studied) in the implementation of two-way translation of professionally oriented texts.
to form students' skills in the productive use of basic lexical units, grammatical forms and constructions within the framework of the topics studied.
to develop research competence: the ability to analyze / synthesize information, the skills of public speaking in the form of a computer presentation.

Expected Learning Outcomes

argues / justifies the desire to take the desired position
composes a letter / article
composes a motivation letter in the proposed communicative situation
highlights the main and related information, elements of argumentation; - Highlights keywords / expressions and logical connectors; - uses the basic methods of reformulating the semantic elements of the text.
Listening and reading: - realizes the main content of short sounding texts on the topic being studied, built on familiar language material and pronounced clearly, at a natural pace; adequately perceives the main content and details of short adapted written texts on the topic under study.
Listening and reading: recognizes the main content of authentic sounding texts on the topics studied, pronounced at a natural pace, isolates the requested information; adequately evaluates the main content and details of authentic written texts on the studied topic.
realizes the main content and details of authentic sounding texts on the studied subjects, pronounced at a natural pace, isolates the requested information; adequately evaluates the main content and details of authentic written texts on the studied topic
recognizes the main content of authentic sounding texts on the studied subjects, pronounced at a natural pace, isolates the requested information; - adequately perceives the main content and details of authentic written texts on the studied topic
Speaking: within the framework of the studied subjects and in accordance with the stage of training - produces a monologue-narration, a monologue-description; - participates in the dialogue; - participates in the discussion.
Speaking: within the framework of the studied topics and in accordance with the stage of training - produces monologic speech; - participates in the dialogue-inquiry.
translates text rus. lang ↔ fr.
translates text rus. lang ↔ fr. language; produces a reasoned statement on a given topic
within the framework of the studied subjects and in accordance with the stage of training - transfers the content of the sounding text using the compte-rendu / résumé technique (abstracting / annotation); - produces monologue speech, demonstrating the ability to productively use the basic lexical units, grammatical forms and constructions within the framework of the topic under study; - participates in the dialogue in accordance with the communicative task; - participates in the discussion
within the framework of the studied subjects and in accordance with the stage of training - transfers the content of the sounding text using the compte-rendu / résumé technique (abstracting / annotation); - produces monologue speech, demonstrating the ability to productively use the basic lexical units, grammatical forms and constructions within the framework of the topic under study; - participates in the dialogue in accordance with the communicative task; - participates in the discussion.
within the framework of the studied subjects and in accordance with the training stage, transfers the content of the sound / written text using the compte-rendu / résumé technique (abstracting / annotation); produces monologue speech, demonstrating the ability to productively use the basic lexical units, grammatical forms and constructions within the framework of the topic under study; participates in a dialogue in accordance with a communicative task; participates in the discussion
writing: compiles a CV (CV) based on the information received; compiles a personal resume (CV).
writing: compiles a short review / review; short descriptive text.
Writing: transfers the content of the text using the résumé technique (annotation), compiles a business letter in accordance with the communicative task; demonstrates the ability to use generally accepted norms, wording.
writing: writes a postcard to a friend. writes email letter to a friend; letter to relatives.

Course Contents

A human and his family, friends, favorite activities. Acquaintance: let me introduce myself. Acquaintance: favorite pastimes. My studies.
Man and his income Types of income. Remuneration of employees (forms, establishment procedure, structure). Equality / inequality in pay for men and women. Types of allowances. Active Solidarity Income (RSA): goals, recipients, sources of funding.
A human and his life style. My work day. My house. My region. Vacation at home. Seasons. Close relatives.
Man and society. Culture: theater, cinema. Media: press, radio, television.
Rules of abstracting and annotation. Basic rules for compte-rendu and résumé: common features and differences. Organization of the source text: main and related information; argumentation. Stages of working with text. Keywords. Logical Connectors Ways to reformulate.
Man in a consumer society Current trends in the distribution of the family budget of French households. Factors affecting family expenses. The composition of the consumer basket. The standard of living and policies of local authorities.
CV Rules Features and order of presentation of information. Mandatory structural components. Common mistakes when writing a resume.
Rules for writing a motivation letter The role of motivational writing. Logical structure and mandatory components of motivational writing. Compliance of the competencies of the candidate of the proposed position.
Man and his work Unemployment: The most vulnerable social categories. Employment: job search, hiring and dismissal, organization of working time. Job interview.
Enterprise (economic aspect) The principles of classification of enterprises. Small and medium-sized businesses in France: strengths and weaknesses. Areas of activity and features of the functioning of large enterprises. An effective multinational enterprise strategy. French enterprises in the context of globalization.
A human and his social connections. An evening with friends. Favorite food. Visit to the doctor. Holidays. Traditions.
Business Correspondence: Email Structural features of the email. Common wording.
Man and his social activities. Grocery shopping. National cuisine. Dietary nutrition.
Man in a consumer society Types and forms of trade. Consumer protection. Legal status of a merchant: definition, rights and obligations, property, resellers. Unfair competition.
Enterprise (social aspect) Enterprise committee: tasks and functions. Paid vacation: the procedure for providing, calculation of days, payment.
Man and his income The minimum wage. Factors affecting the size of salaries. Differences in wage levels. Types of income. Illegal work and illegal income. Types of savings. Household propert
Man and his work Employment: statistics, types of employment, types of employment contracts. Unemployment: types, causes, methods of struggle, vulnerable social categories.
Company Definition, classification. Spheres and types of activity. The legal status of French enterprises. Organizational structures: hierarchical, functional, functional hierarchical, divisional. Control. Types of associations: merger, acquisition, group, cartel, holding.
The regulatory role of the state (taxes, the provision of social services) Taxes and fees: types, classification, basic characteristics. Socio-economic functions of the state, public services. French state model. Socio-economic functions of the state. The concept of "public service". Types of public services. Social protection of the population.

Assessment Elements

exam
The exam will be conducted via LMS platform (written test) and via Zoom (oral part) in specified period of session.
written test
Oral test (retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document)
presentation
Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text
Written test for a general / detailed understanding of the written text
Written text production according to communicative task
exam
The oral and written French language exam is organised without the use of proctoring on the ZOOM platform. Participating in the examination procedure is regulated by the exact timetable sent by the instructor to the corporate students` email before the exam. Students join the exam 10 minutes before its beginning. Students` computers should follow the requirements with respect to the presence of a web camera and microphone. To take the exam students must be present at the beginning regulated by the timetable, while answering switch on the camera and microphone. During the exam it is prohibited to switch of the camera, to use notes and other aids, to discuss something with people in the room or via social networks. A short connection break during the exam is less than 5 minutes. In case a break is longer than 5 minutes, students are prevented from further participation. The reexam procedure has the same format as the exam.
Written final work on the topic
Oral test (retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document)
presentation
Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text
Written test for general / detailed understanding of the written text
Written text production according to communicative task
exam
In case of online learning, the oral and written French language exam is organised without the use of proctoring on the platforms ZOOM and Google-forms. Participating in the examination procedure is regulated by the exact timetable sent by the instructor to the corporate students` email before the exam. Students join the exam 10 minutes before its beginning. Students` computers should follow the requirements with respect to the presence of a web camera and microphone. To take the exam students must be present at the beginning regulated by the timetable, while answering switch on the camera and microphone. During the exam it is prohibited to switch of the camera, to use notes and other aids, to discuss something with people in the room or via social networks. A short connection break during the exam is less than 5 minutes. In case a break is longer than 5 minutes, students are prevented from further participation. The reexam procedure has the same format as the exam.
written test
In case of online learning, skills`assessment is conducted on the platforms ZOOM and Google-forms.
Oral test(retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document)
In case of online learning, skills`assessment is conducted on the platform ZOOM.
presentation
Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text
In case of online learning, skills`assessment is conducted on the platform Google-forms.
Written test for a general / detailed understanding of the written text
In case of online learning, skills`assessment is conducted on the platform Google-forms.
Written text production according to communicative task
In case of online learning, skills`assessment is conducted on the platform Google-forms.
exam
The oral and written parts of exam are organised without proctoring on the MS Teams platform AND THE ZOOM PLATFORM with the use of google-forms. Participating procedure is regulated by the timetable sent by the instructor to the corporate students` email before the exam. Students join the exam 10 minutes before its beginning. Students` computers should follow the requirements with respect to the presence of a web camera and microphone. To take the exam students must be present at the very beginning according to the timetable and while answering must switch on the camera and microphone. During the exam it is prohibited to switch off the camera, to use notes and other aids, to discuss something with people in the room or via social networks. If a connection break occurs during the exam, it should not exceed 5 minutes. In case a break is longer than 5 minutes, students are prevented from further participation. The reexam procedure has the same format as the exam.
written test on certain topic
Oral test (retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document)
presentation
Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text
Written test for a general / detailed understanding of the written text
Written text production according to communicative task
exam
The oral and written French language exam is organised without the use of proctoring on the ZOOM platform. Participating in the examination procedure is regulated by the exact timetable sent by the instructor to the corporate students` email before the exam. Students join the exam 10 minutes before its beginning. Students` computers should follow the requirements with respect to the presence of a web camera and microphone. To take the exam students must be present at the beginning regulated by the timetable, while answering switch on the camera and microphone. During the exam it is prohibited to switch of the camera, to use notes and other aids, to discuss something with people in the room or via social networks. A short connection break during the exam is less than 5 minutes. In case a break is longer than 5 minutes, students are prevented from further participation. The reexam procedure has the same format as the exam.
Written final work on the topic
Oral test (retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document)
presentation
Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text
Written test for general / detailed understanding of the written text
Written text production according to communicative task
exam
In case of the online learning, the oral and written French language exam is organised without the use of proctoring on the platforms ZOOM and Google-forms. Participating in the examination procedure is regulated by the exact timetable sent by the instructor to the corporate students` email before the exam. Students join the exam 10 minutes before its beginning. Students` computers should follow the requirements with respect to the presence of a web camera and microphone. To take the exam students must be present at the beginning regulated by the timetable, while answering switch on the camera and microphone. During the exam it is prohibited to switch of the camera, to use notes and other aids, to discuss something with people in the room or via social networks. A short connection break during the exam is less than 5 minutes. In case a break is longer than 5 minutes, students are prevented from further participation. The reexam procedure has the same format as the exam.
written test
In case of online learning, skills`assessment is conducted on the platforms ZOOM and Google-forms.
Oral test(retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document)
In case of online learning, skills`assessment is conducted on the platform ZOOM.
presentation
Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text
In case of online learning, skills`assessment is conducted on the platform Google-forms.
Written test for a general / detailed understanding of the written text
In case of online learning, skills`assessment is conducted on the platform Google-forms.
Written text production according to communicative task
In case of online learning, skills`assessment is conducted on the platform Google-forms.
exam
The oral and written parts of exam are organised without proctoring on the MS Teams platform AND THE ZOOM PLATFORM with the use of google-forms. Participating procedure is regulated by the timetable sent by the instructor to the corporate students` email before the exam. Students join the exam 10 minutes before its beginning. Students` computers should follow the requirements with respect to the presence of a web camera and microphone. To take the exam students must be present at the very beginning according to the timetable and while answering must switch on the camera and microphone. During the exam it is prohibited to switch off the camera, to use notes and other aids, to discuss something with people in the room or via social networks. If a connection break occurs during the exam, it should not exceed 5 minutes. In case a break is longer than 5 minutes, students are prevented from further participation. The reexam procedure has the same format as the exam.
written test on certain topic
Oral test (retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document)
presentation
Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text
Written test for a general / detailed understanding of the written text
Written text production according to communicative task

Interim Assessment

2018/2019 2nd module
0.1 * Oral test (retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document) + 0.1 * Written test for general / detailed understanding of the written text + 0.2 * Written final work on the topic + 0.4 * exam + 0.1 * Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text
2018/2019 4th module
0.4 * exam + 0.1 * Oral test (retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document) + 0.2 * Written final work on the topic + 0.1 * Written test for general / detailed understanding of the written text + 0.1 * Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text
2019/2020 2nd module
0.1 * Oral test (retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document) + 0.4 * exam + 0.2 * written test + 0.1 * Written test for a general / detailed understanding of the written text + 0.1 * Written text production according to communicative task + 0.1 * Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text
2019/2020 4th module
0.1 * Written text production according to communicative task + 0.2 * written test + 0.1 * Oral test (retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document) + 0.4 * exam + 0.1 * Written test for a general / detailed understanding of the written text + 0.1 * Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text
2020/2021 2nd module
0.2 * written test + 0.1 * Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text + 0.1 * Oral test(retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document) + 0.4 * exam + 0.1 * Written test for a general / detailed understanding of the written text
2020/2021 4th module
0.2 * written test + 0.1 * Written test for a general / detailed understanding of the written text + 0.1 * Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text + 0.4 * exam + 0.1 * Oral test(retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document)
2021/2022 3rd module
0.4 * exam + 0.1 * Written test for a general / detailed understanding of the written text + 0.2 * written test on certain topic + 0.1 * Oral test (retelling / abstracting / annotation of text, audio-video document) + 0.1 * Written test for general / detailed understanding of the sounding text

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Alberta Dept. of Education, E. L. S. B. (1991). French as a Second Language Program of Studies: Beginning Level. Early Childhood Services-Grade 12 = Francais langue seconde programme d’etudes: niveau debutant de la maternelle a la 12e annee. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=ED354732
Diallo, I. (2018). Geopolitics of French in Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa : Attitudes, Language Use, and Identities. Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2000115
Dincă Violeta Mihaela, Bogdan Anca, Zottu-Z Monica, & Floricel Teodora. (2018). The economic impact of the French language. Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, (1), 324. https://doi.org/10.2478/picbe-2018-0029
I N Meshkova. (2013). Some features of official business style in the French language. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.712C92C0
McCullough, B. (1993). French for Business: A Case Study. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=ED370387
Meyer, E. N. (1994). Active-Learning Approaches to the Business French Course: The Business French Research Paper. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=ED377729
Myles, F. (2003). French Learner Language Oral Corpora (FLLOC). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.1C1AD2BA
Phillips, D. (2013). Recent English financial terms in French-language, Dutch-language and German-language financial publications: borrowing versus translating. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.E0EF17ED
St. Martin, G. (1995). Preparation for International Business: A Cultural Immersion Model in French. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=ED388075

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Alberta Dept. of Education, E. L. S. B. (1992). French as a Second Language Program of Studies: Intermediate Level. Year 4 to Year 12 = Francais langue seconde programme d’etudes: niveau Intermediaire de la 4e a la 12e annee. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=ED354733
Goodyear, S. (2018). Learn French. [Place of publication not identified]: Simply Media. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1430253
I N Meshkova. (2013). Some features of official business style in the French language. RUDN Journal of Law, (3), 301. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsdoj&AN=edsdoj.f27a1478656541898a859d7c867c40e2
Joseph Lemaître. (2012). French : How to Speak and Write It. [N.p.]: Dover Publications. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1152776

Course Syllabus