French for Teachers in Upper Secondary School, 90 cr (1-90 cr). CPD for Teachers

The overall aim of the course is for students to develop good knowledge of French and about French-language culture and literature, while developing both theoretical knowledge and methodological tools, as they prepare for their future professional role as language teacher. A further overall aim is that students develop independence in their studies and the ability to reflect on their learning. This means that students deepen and broaden their linguistic, literary and subject-didactic knowledge.

Modules

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

• describe the most common concepts from elementary phonetics
• describe the characteristics of French language sounds and the prosody of French
• understand and use phonetic transcription (IPA)
• understand proper spoken French
• communicate orally in everyday contexts using acceptable pronunciation
• demonstrate basic knowledge of presentation techniques and apply them in oral presentations
• reflect on the importance of phonetics for language learning.

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

• describe and apply the most common grammatical concepts in various forms of linguistic analysis
• use basic French grammar correctly in their written texts, such as a simple text in proper French or a summary of a newspaper article
• use basic French vocabulary
• demonstrate an awareness of and apply basic patterns in the structure of French
• translate shorter texts, for example, a newspaper article, from Swedish to French
• reflect on the role of grammar in language teaching.

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

• explain the concept of ”la francophonie” and its significance
• describe geographical aspects and characteristics of France and the French-speaking world
• explain and discuss events and aspects of the history of France and the French-speaking world from 1945 until the present day
• explain and discuss some important aspects of culture and politics in present-day French society and the French-speaking world
• understand and use information technology as a source of knowledge and as a resource for language learning
• discuss what culture in language teaching can mean.

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

• read and interpret a selection of literary texts
• analyse fictional texts using basic literary concepts
• describe, both orally and in writing, the most important authors, genres, movements, trends and currents in literature in French from the 20th and 21st centuries
• demonstrated a level of independence in their studies and reflect on their learning
• reflect on the use of literary texts in language teaching.

This module aims to give students an introduction to language didactics. The module provides a theoretical basis and complements the content of the other modules in preparation for students’ future professional role as langauge teacher.
On completion of the module, students will be able to:

• discuss how the position of foreign languages in school and society has developed historically and is debated in the present day
• explain central language-learning theories and discuss their importance for language teaching
• describe the school’s governing documents with a particular focus on the syllabuses and subject curricula for modern languages
• in Swedish, discuss and reflect on language didactic issues relating to the selection of teaching materials and working methods in relation to the target group and the school’s governing documents.

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

• apply and explain various French grammatical structures and reflect on how to deal with these in teaching situations
• produce texts in clear and grammatically correct French
• adapt language and form to different types of texts
• explain and reflect on the design of their own and others’ texts
• critically reason about current language debates
• translate texts with different characteristics from Swedish to French in a way that demonstrates linguistic certainty.

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

• describe the main features of the history and development of linguistic, in particular French linguistics
• explain some aspects of linguistic theories and methods
• explain and apply basic concepts of general and French linguistics
• in French, write a short academic text in accordance with established academic conventions
• demonstrate good linguistic competence in French both orally and in writing
• relate critically to knowledge sources.

On completion of the module, students will, in French, be able to:

• explain and discuss pronunciation variations in different parts of the French-speaking world
• in accordance with academic conventions, orally and in writing analyse and reflect on linguistic variation with regard to linguistic registers and sociolects
• express themselves orally in different situations and adapt the language to different contexts
• explain and discuss the structure in different types of debates and oral presentations
• argue orally according to rhetorical principles
• critically reflect on the norms that characterise the spoken French taught in the Swedish language classroom.

On completion of the module, students will, in French, be able to:

• discuss different genres and trends in French literary history from the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s
• understand, discuss and analyse a selection of novels, plays and poems from the 1600s to the 1800s
• discuss central literary concepts and demonstrate the ability to use them in relevant contexts
• conduct literary analyses, both orally and in writing, of poetry, drama and prose, and reflect on both form and content
• demonstrate the ability to independently complete a written piece of work that meets the basic requirements of literary studies and reflect on the writing process
• critically use different forms of knowledge sources
• demonstrate independence in their studies
• critically reflect on the type of French literary texts that are used to teach French in Swedish schools.

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

• reflect on pupils’ views on and experiences of their language learning and discuss how language teaching should be designed to benefit pupils’ language development based on theories and research on foreign language learning
• discuss assessment in language teaching based on the school’s governing documents and theories on assessment
• explain the background to the school’s governing document with a focus on European cooperation and the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
• discuss and reflect on the interplay between internal and external factors that are linked to the student, the teacher and the concrete teaching situation and how these can be addressed by choosing content and relevant working methods in language teaching
• analyse and critically review teaching materials for teaching French as a foreign language from a language didactic perspective and in relation to the school’s governing documents
• describe different forms of digital tools and discuss how they can be used in teaching to develop the subject’s content and teaching methods as well as pupils’ learning, and also practically apply these in their own learning.

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

• discuss the main features of the development of the French language from a historical and cultural perspective
• discuss the features and characteristics of today‘s French
• distinguish and describe different features in the development of the French language based on texts from different eras
• demonstrate a good linguistic competence in French both in writing and orally
• reflect on different genres and trends in medieval and renaissance literature
• analyse a selection of novels, plays and poems from the Middle Ages to the end of the 17th century.

On completion of the course, students will, in French, be able to:

• analyse, interpret and discuss a selection of literary works from the French-speaking world
• discuss and problematise the concept literature in French and various aspects of ”la Francophonie”
• analyse and problematise historical, cultural, literary and linguistic aspects in French-speaking countries/regions
• apply literary methods
• show the ability to independently complete a short essay that meets basic literary requirements, and reflect on the writing process.

On completion of the course, students will, in French, be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to independently and critically systematise, problematise and reflect on previous research results based on theoretical as well as literary, linguistic or didactic scientific perspectives
• formulate a problem with research questions based on previous research
• complete, within a given timeframe, an independent scientific study with ties to research, relevant methodology and theory, as well as arguments based on well-conducted analyses
• demonstrate a critical approach to chosen sources
• discuss choices with regard for research ehtics
• demonstrate the ability to present and argue in writing and orally for their own results and to relate to scientific criticism in a professional and constructive way
• analyse, evaluate and discuss the scientific work of others by pointing out its strengths and weaknesses in a clear, constructive response.

The modules of the course include studies in written and oral language proficiency, literature, culture, language-didactics, linguistics and language history.

Modules

The module includes a review of the main features of French phonetics and practical pronunciation exercises. The module also includes varied exercises in understanding spoken French and communicating orally in different situations. Students plan and carry out structured oral presentations. In preparation for their future professional role as teacher, students also get to write their reflections on phonetics and pronunciation learning from a didactic perspective.

This module includes a systematic review of basic elements of French grammar with application exercises of various kinds. Students complete linguistic analyses alongside various types of writing exercises, both structured and freer in nature, as well as translations. The course also deals with how linguistic awareness develops in pupils of different ages.

This module includes a study of the history, geography and society of France and the French-speaking world. Furthermore, aspects of cultural and social conditions in France and the French-speaking world are treated whereby comparisons are also made with students’ cultural experiences. The concept of ”la francophonie” is analysed and discussed.

This module includes an orientation in literary history of the literature from the French-speaking world from the 20th and 21st centuries. A selection of literary works is studied from the perspective of literature, linguistics and social history. The literature is also discussed based on its didactic potential in language teaching.

This module constitutes an introduction to language didactics and to the central questions concerning the content and design of language teaching in relation to pupils’ different conditions for language learning and the school’s governing documents. The role and development of foreign languages in Swedish schools is treated in a historical retrospective. Central elements are a basic study of theories about language learning and discussions about language didactic issues. By also studying current governing documents in the form of curricula and syllabuses for modern languages, the relationship between the theories and the content of the school subject is treated. In this way, the content of the other modules is linked to the future profession and the concrete teaching situation as well as to the demands placed on the language teacher at school.

The module includes an in-depth study of French grammar, as well as a review of various aspects of importance for clear written communication in French. The module contains varied grammatical exercises and writing tasks aimed at developing students’ writing, including training in adapting text structure and style to different types of texts. Students also familiarise themselves with and critically discuss current language debates in French-speaking countries. In addition, practice in translation is included.

The module provides an introduction to both general linguistics and French linguistics. The module also provides an introduction to academic writing in French. Students write a short academic text in French and critically review a text written by another student.

The module includes studies of how pronunciation varies in different geographical areas of the French-speaking world. It also includes studies on linguistic variation with regard to linguistic registers and sociolects. Students also practice expressing themselves academically in both spoken and written French. The module also includes the study of different types of debates and oral presentations and exercises in argumentation in spoken French.

The module includes the study of French literature (novels, plays and poetry) from the 1600s to the 1800s. The module covers the history of literature and literary analysis techniques. The literature is examined in light of historical and social developments in France.

This module contains studies of different aspects of language learning where discussion and reflection on didactic issues are central. Pupils’ linguistic awareness and how they perceive their situation as language learners is treated. The module invites reflection on and discussion about the awareness of  students’ language learning and how this knowledge can be used in language teaching. Different aspects of assessment and grading in languages form another important feature of the module. The Common European Framwork of Reference (CEFR) is treated and put in relation to the Swedish school’s curricula for modern languages. The module also includes studies of how digital tools can be used in language teaching and also includes the review of other types of teaching materials. The content of the module connects with the other studies in the subject of French and to the students’ future professional role.

The course includes a study of texts from the Middle Ages to today‘s French. The texts are treated from a phonetic, syntactic and historical point of view. The main features of the language development from Latin to modern French are studied as are the expanse and position of the French language in the French-speaking world.

In the course, a selection of fictional works are discussed in relation to the historical and social development of French-speaking countries. The course includes a study of the French-speaking world from a historical, literary, cultural and linguistic perspective. The course also includes scientific literary methods.

In the module, the student independently completes a scientific essay based on a limited problem. The essay can have a linguistic, literary or language didactic orientation. The student defends his essay and carries out a critical review of a fellow student’s scientific work at a ventilation seminar.

• Active participation in seminars
• Written assignments
• Oral presentation
• Written supervised exam
• Written supervised online exam
• Academic essay
• Defence of the essay and discussion and examination of another student’s essay

The grading scale used for the final course grade is U–G.

Grades are reported as follows:

• Phonetics - 2.5 Credits | U–G
• Oral Proficiency - 3 Credits | U–G
• Basic Knowledge of General and French Grammar - 1 Credit | U–G
• Written Language Proficiency I; Grammar - 4 Credits | U–G
• Written Language Proficiency I; Written Proficiency - 2.5 Credits | U–G
• Culture and Society; Oral Presentation - 2 Credits | U–G
• Culture and Society; Written Presentation - 3.5 Credits | U–G
• French Literature I; Oral presentation - 1.5 Credits | U–G
• French Literature I; Written presentation - 4 Credits | U–G
• Language Learning and Teachning I - 6 Credits | U–G
• Written Language Proficiency II; Written Language Proficiency - 4 Credits | U–G
• Written Language Proficiency II; Grammar - 3.5 Credits | U–G
• Introduction to Linguistics and Academic Writing; Concepts and Theories in Linguistics - 2.5 Credits | U–G
• Introduction to Linguistics and Academic Writing; Academic Writing - 3 Credits | U–G
• Spoken French; The French-speaking World - 1.5 Credits | U–G
• Spoken French; Linguistic Variation - 2 Credits | U–G
• Spoken French; Argumentation and Rhetoric - 2 Credits | U–G
• French Literature II; Oral Presentation - 1.5 Credits | U–G
• French Literature II; Written Presentation - 4 Credits | U–G
• Language Learning and Teaching II - 6 Credits | U–G
• History of the French Language - 7.5 Credits | U–G
• Literature in French and Literary Analysis - 7.5 Credits | U–G
• Essay - 15 Credits | U–G

This course is a contract education for teachers who participate in the government CPD initiative for teachers.
To participate you must have a teacher’s degree and be employed as a teacher within the school system and have an employer who has approved your participation.
Courses with a focus on upper secondary education are aimed at those who are employed as teachers and have a teacher’s degree without being qualified in the subject in question.
Anyone who applies for this course without approval from their employer is not eligible to participate.
See the website for the Swedish National Agency for Education for more information: https://www.skolverket.se/lararlyftet.

All teaching is online. Seminars and lectures are scheduled at set times and the seminars require interactive participation. The course therefore requires access to a computer, headset, webcam and internet connection or equivalent functional technical equipment.

This course overlaps previous course code GFR2LC.