69452 - French Language and Culture III (First Language)

Learning outcomes

The student - is able to understand and produce a wide range of written texts and complex oral speeches in French, expressing himself fluently and spontaneously

Course contents

The French language and culture module aims to make students reflect on the psycho-social, historical and contemporary components of French cultural identity, both in the representations of the collective imagination and in the more elaborate constructions that try to "deconstruct" stereotypes (starting from anthropological elements such values, beliefs, rituals).

The course aims to strengthen the linguistic structures of the French language at the lexical, grammatical, syntactical and stylistic level.

The excursus involves reading, listening to and analyzing figures, myths and aspects of contemporary France (secularism, sense of rebellion, intellectuality, everyday life...) through the observation and analysis of authentic written and oral documents.

This path also allows to consolidate the skills of written and oral comprehension.

Specifically, the course will focus on:

-current and historical French myths and figures

-everyday life: TV channels and programmes, famous presenters, advertising, songs, brands and products...

-being French in the language itself

-humor

-The different cultural tribes and/or socio-professional categories

Readings/Bibliography

Grammar

- F. BIDAUD, Grammar of French for Italophones, Utet Università, 2012

- F. BIDAUD, French grammar exercises for Italophones, Utet Università, 2012

- M. Grégoire, Grammar of French with 600 exercises, advanced level, International Key, 2012

Dictionaries

Le Petit Robert
Dictionary of synonyms, nuances and opposites, Le Robert
Dictionary of word combinations, Le Robert
Bilingual dictionary: Le Robert and Signorelli, French-Italian / Italian-French dictionary, Paris, Le Robert

Teaching methods

The French language and culture module provides with the active participation of the students:

- listening exercises (free return or open-ended questionnaires)

- the discovery of idiomatic expressions (formal and informal, standard, literary or slang)

- discussions and debates

- oral presentations in groups of two students on topics of their choice related to the course (presenting a real or fictional character, an institution, a product, a cultural practice, such as bricolage or jardinage).

The French language module will be closely supported by laboratory exercises. The attendance of the practical course is compulsory and is part of the student's total hourly commitment. The thematic topics will be closely related to those covered in the course.

In addition, students are strongly advised to complete their grammar preparation and fill any gaps with autonomous work (Bidaud, Grammaire du français pour italophones or M. Grégoire, Grammaire progressive du français avec 600 exercices, niveau perfectionnement, Clé International, 2012).

Please note that the lessons of the course require the student to attend 70% of the course.

Assessment methods

The written test of 3h00 duration foresees :

The drafting of a page of presentation of a constitutive and representative element of the "Francité" (character, artistic or commercial product, company, etc...) on the model of the figures presented and commented in the book "Clés pour la France" or of a more unusual or more contemporary aspect.

The use of dictionaries and Internet resources is permitted for the entire written test. Students can prepare for the test before the exam.

They can also write a brief essay during the course: this optional work can be evaluated as an intermediate test.

The oral test (8-10 minutes) will focus on the theme chosen for the written presentation form (in-depth examination), or on another theme chosen by the students.

This evidence may be supported by articles, iconographic documents or short clips (provided that there is an analysis of the document).

Presentations (optional) made during the course may also be evaluated as intermediate tests.


The final grade of the course is defined on the average of the marks given in the language tests (written / oral).

If a presentation form is handed over during the course, the average of the ongoing grade and the final grade will be taken into consideration for the written test.

If an oral presentation is made during the course, the average of the in-progress grade and the final grade will be taken into consideration for the oral test.

Teaching tools

- use of google drive

- material provided during the course by the teacher

Office hours

See the website of Yannick Hamon