Culture

Society

World of work

Family

Stereotypes

Travel

In addition to the linguistic skills described in the synopsis, by the end of this course students are expected to acquire the following competences:

• Communicate effectively in a foreign language, both orally and in writing, producing texts appropriate to different purposes, contexts and audiences, with linguistic accuracy, clarity and appropriate discourse.

• Communicate in at least one European foreign language in a variety of oral and written contexts, demonstrating clarity, appropriateness and intercultural awareness.

• Communicate and interact critically, clearly and effectively, adapting discourse to diverse audiences and contexts while employing argumentation and self-assessment strategies.

• Produce and interpret texts in a foreign language appropriate to different genres, communicative situations and academic, occupational, professional or business contexts.
• Produce critical analyses and well-founded interpretations of cultural, historical, artistic and linguistic phenomena, drawing upon multicultural and interdisciplinary perspectives.

By the end of this course, students are expected to achieve the following learning outcomes:

• Introduce themselves to an interlocutor while respecting the degree of formality required by the context.
• Address someone appropriately according to the level of formality of the communicative situation (tu/vous).
• Introduce another person while respecting the degree of formality of the social context.
• Greet someone appropriately according to the communicative context.
• Say goodbye appropriately according to the communicative context.
• Identify and describe cultural specificities.
• Associate sounds with written forms.
• Use polite expressions appropriate to the degree of formality of the communicative context.
• Describe a job.
• Request information.
• Express wishes and emotions.
• Understand and relay information (press: short articles and news reports).
• Justify opinions critically.
• Present one’s family.
• Describe the characteristics of family members.

Communicative and linguistic contents

• Discovering the French language
• Introducing oneself and others
• Greeting and saying goodbye
• Using tu or vous
• Spelling / the alphabet
• Counting (from 0 to 20 and beyond 20)
• Asking and answering questions
• Justifying a choice
• Asking for and giving personal information
• Requesting information (professional/administrative contexts)
• Talking about one’s profession
• Talking about personal interests
• Talking about daily routines
• Talking about one’s family
• Describing people and things
• Searching for information (written or spoken)
• Inviting someone
• Interviewing and being interviewed

(Inter)cultural contents

• French architecture
• French and Francophone first names and surnames
• A portrait of the French
• The French and new technologies
• Images and representations of France
• French society
• France in figures
• France in Europe
• France and its languages
• Multilingualism in the Francophone world

Essential bibliography

• Chahi, F.; Denyer, M.; Gloaney, A.; Fouillet, R. (2025). Défi actuel 1 – Méthode de français. Hybrid Edition. Éditions Maison des Langues.
• Dictionnaire Larousse. Available at: Larousse.fr
• Dictionnaire Le Robert. Available at: LeRoebert

Recommended bibliography

• Akyüz, A.; Bazelle-Shahmaei, B.; Bonenfant, J.; Gliemann, M.-F. (2005). Les exercices de grammaire. Hachette.
• Grégoire, M. (1997). Grammaire progressive du français. Clé International.

In this course, learning has been designed to provide students with greater flexibility in managing their study time while maintaining guidance and interaction with lecturers, tutors and fellow students. Activities take place mainly online and asynchronously through the Universidade Aberta learning platform, combining individual study with opportunities to participate in discussion forums, debates, assignments and other practical learning activities.

Students play an active role in their own learning process and are encouraged to reflect, share experiences, solve problems and develop competences relevant to their academic and professional development. Throughout the course, students have access to a wide range of learning resources and continuous guidance from the teaching team, which provides regular support and feedback.

The teaching methodologies emphasise autonomy, collaboration, inclusion and flexibility, enabling students to balance their studies with their personal, family and professional responsibilities.

To learn more about the Universidade Aberta Pedagogical Model, please visit: Portal UAB-Modelo de Ensino

Assessment in this course has been designed to support student learning throughout the semester, valuing not only the outcomes achieved but also the learning process itself. Assessment activities are intended to promote critical reflection, practical application of course content, active participation and the development of competences relevant to students’ academic and professional paths.

Where appropriate, assessment may include different methods and instruments, such as individual and collaborative activities, written assignments, projects, presentations, participation in discussion forums and formal assessment tasks, in accordance with the Course Plan.

The assessment criteria, planned activities and their respective weighting will be presented at the beginning of the course, ensuring transparency and enabling students to organise their learning effectively.

To learn more about the assessment principles and guidelines within the Universidade Aberta Pedagogical Model, please visit: Portal UAb-Modelo de Ensino