Bon Départ: Beginners' French

What you will study in the Bon Départ: Beginners’ French course at The Open University

The module is based around three books and has at its core the following elements:

– user-friendly, ‘bite-sized’ information dealing with language and cultural aspects
– gradual development of study and language skills
– development of basic vocabulary and set phrases
– audio material, featuring recordings by native speakers of French, and a wide variety of speaking activities
– practice activities and self-assessment tests to monitor your progress
– regular online activities and video clips to support your practice activities.
The study materials are carefully structured and graded, and provide ample opportunities to practise the language in realistic contexts, with an emphasis on listening and speaking skills. By the end of the module you will be able to speak and understand simple language and will have developed an understanding of key aspects of French life.

This module is designed to enable you to achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level A2 of the Council of Europe Common European Framework of Reference for languages. You will have developed your knowledge and understanding of the language as well as an awareness of cultural diversity in French speaking countries which form a key part of the learning outcomes for studying at this level.

By the end of the module you will have developed key OU level 1 undergraduate study skills such as learning to work independently and using strategies which enable you to solve problems and analyse data.