INSTITUTE OF MODERN LANGUAGES

FRENCH LEVEL 1
COURSE OUTLINE
Prior Knowledge and Skills
This course is for learners with minimal or no knowledge of French. Absolute beginners (people who have
never learnt French before) are encouraged to enrol in the French for the Absolute Beginner Course.

Proficiency Level
The content of this course corresponds approximately to level A1 of the Common European Framework of
Reference for Languages.

Course Aim
There will be a focus on effective communication and enjoyment. Learners should develop basic skills for
everyday use in conversation, understanding, reading and writing and begin to develop socio-cultural
knowledge.

Course Content
Set textbook: Denyer, M. et al. Version Originale 1 Student’s Book + CD + DVD (English Edition) and
Workbook + CD (English Edition). Difusión. (Units 1-4) (ISBN: 9788484436935 & 9788484436942)

 IML strongly recommends the use of dictionaries, which exist in a variety of printed, online and
electronic formats. Tutors may recommend a dictionary at the commencement of the course.
 Each topic includes relevant social and cultural information.
 Additional tasks and resources will be provided in class.
 The IML library located on level 1 in the Joyce Ackroyd Building also has books, magazines, kits,
CDs, DVDs and videos for loan to IML students.

Revision
Language is learned best with maximum contact and usage. Home exercises will be designed for revision
and consolidation of each course segment. Revision is most effective when undertaken regularly in short
sessions.

Assessment
Assessment is optional at the end of the full year course or equivalent. Listening and Speaking skills are
assessed throughout the course. An examination to assess Reading and Writing competencies is held at the
end of the course and a statement of attainment is then issued. A certificate of attendance is available
upon request for students not undertaking assessment who have attended at least 75% of the course.

Further Study Options

Learners who wish to pursue further studies of this language can enrol in any of the IML French Level 2
Courses.

Contacts
IML Office: Level 1, Joyce Ackroyd Building No. 37
Phone: (07) 3346 8200
Fax: (07) 3346 8211
Email: iml@uq.edu.au

Course Outline, French Level 1

 COURSE CONTENT
S1
TOPIC LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS LANGUAGE STRUCTURES
Introduction  Greeting and leave taking  French alphabet
Unit 1  Introducing oneself  Pronunciation and
 Asking about / Providing intonation
correct spelling  Nouns: gender
 Using correct forms of address  Articles: indefinite
 Issuing / Responding to  Pronouns: subject,
classroom instructions reflexive, emphatic
 Counting  Forms of address: tu, vous
 Numbers 0-20
 Verbs: present tense -er
verbs
 Imperatives of common
actions
People  Asking for / Giving personal  C’est / il est
Unit 2 information  Adjectives: masculine /
 Inquiring about / Stating age, feminine, nationality
nationality, profession, contact  Numbers 21-100
details  Prepositions: à, chez, dans,
 Asking about / Discussing de, pour, sur
purpose  Verbs: present tense of
être, avoir, faire

S2
The Neighbourhood  Asking about / Describing places  Pronouns: on
Unit 3  Asking about / Describing  Articles: definite
locations  Adjectives: descriptive
 Asking about / Describing  Adverbs: bien, très, assez,
features mieux
 Expressing opinions  Negatives: ne…pas; use of
 Ask about / Express quantity de/d’
 Use of Il y a...
 Verbs: resent tense of vivre
 Prepositions: location
Family and Friends  Asking about / Expressing tastes  Nouns: formation of plurals
Unit 4 and interests  Adjectives: possessive
 Asking about / Describing  Use of avoir l’air
people  Verbs:
 Asking about / Describing family - Revision of present tense
members - Use of aimer+ noun/
 Introducing people infinitive
- Conditional form
j’aimerais

Course Outline, French Level 1