SYLLABUS

Spring & Fall Sessions

DUEFA1: FRENCH LANGUAGE UNIVERSITY DIPLOMA
A1 Level (DISCOVERY)
Class Contact Hrs: 208
Language of Instruction: French
15 semester credits
MONTPELLIER, France

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Course designed for beginners who want to enhance their basic knowledge of French

Organization of courses

Semester course: one 13-week session, 16 hours of class/week (208 hours 15 credits)

A number of cultural activities are offered (i.e. a guided tour of Montpellier, excursions )
Classes take place on campus at the IEFE. Classrooms are equipped with facilities such as
audiovisual equipment and multimedia labs


COURSE OBJECTIVES

Introduces the basic elements in the language enabling students to: understand, speak and
write in simple phrases using such competencies as: vocabulary, grammar, semantics,
phonology and spelling.

Listening
I can understand familiar words and very basic phrases
concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete
surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.
COMPREHENSION
Reading
I can understand familiar names, words and very simple
sentences, for example on notices and posters or in
catalogues.
Spoken Interaction
I can interact in a simple way provided the other person
is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate
of speech and help me formulate what Im trying to say.
I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of
immediate need or on very familiar topics.
SPEAKING
Spoken Production
I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe
where I live and people I know.
WRITING
I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. I can fill
in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and
address on a hotel registration



COURSE CONTENTS

1) Grammar

Tenses: present, simple past, past, future, imperative
Number and gender in names and adjectives
Determiners: definite, indefinite, partitive, possessive and demonstrative articles
Simple phrase: affirmative, negative, interrogative and exclamatory
Pronouns: subject, stress accent and direct objects
Invariables: prepositions and adverbs

2) Vocabulary

Everyday use of language: greetings, polite phrases, introductions, professions, family,
home, food, clothing, localisation.

3) Semantics

Enables the student to understand meaning and connect words in context, synonyms and
antonyms.

4) Phonology

Recognition of phonemes in a sentence
Articulation between oral and written speech
Prosody : rythm and intonation
Elision
Connecting words

5) Spelling

Alphabet
Writing : Capital and small letters in script
Punctuation marks and usage
Short expressions and familiar words

6) Sociocultural meaning

Introduction to French cultural and social life, national heritage and citizens.


TEACHING METHODS

The teaching methods apply the principles of the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages (CEFRL)


Assessment

Continuous assessment
You will be given homework by your professors. They will explain assessment procedures. Attendance
is mandatory during exams in order to get a diploma. In case of problems, the professor must be
notified (a medical prescription will be asked if you are ill).



Final exams
Dates can be seen on the schedule given for pre-registration. If you are absent (in case of illness,
departure before exams), you will be given a transcript with grades concerning continuous
assessment, but you will not be entitled to a diploma.

The Diplme Universitaire dEtudes Franaises : Level A1 (DUEF A1) is delivered to students
who obtain a minimum average grade of 10/20 in the overall semester- long evaluation which
requires regular class attendance, as well as the final exams.

Each Competency is assessed both continuously and in the final exam (grade out of 20)

Oral comprehension and production
Phonetics
Spelling
Written comprehension and expression
Grammar

UNIVERSITY TRANSCRIPT SAMPLE DUEF A1

COMPETENCES CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM
Oral comprehension /20 /20
Oral production /20 /20
Phonetics & spelling /20 /20
Written comprehension /20 /20
Written expression /20 /20
Grammar /20 /20
TOTAL /120 /120
Average total
/240
/20

IMLS TRANSCRIPT SAMPLE DUEF A1

Evaluation & Credits
COURSES
LEVEL &
GROUP
HOURS GRADES CREDITS
FRENCH LANGUAGE
ORAL COMPREHENSION / 20 / 20
ORAL PRODUCTION / 20
PHONETICS & SPELLING / 20 / 20
WRITTEN COMPREHENSION / 20 / 20
WRITTEN EXPRESSION / 20 / 20
GRAMMAR / 20 / 20
TOTAL FRENCH LANGUAGE &
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
A1 208
/ 20
Letter
Grade
15

GRADING SYSTEM LEVELS
A : Excellent
B : Good
C : Fair
D : Poor
F : Fail
I : Incomplete
A : 15 20
B : 12 14,99
C : 9 11,99
D : 6 8,99
F : 0 5,99