French at HKU

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a non-credit programme open to HKU undergraduate and postgraduate students, alumni, staff, and the general public. This programme is closely aligned with the first three language levels established by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). For more information on CEFRL levels please visit the Council of Europe’s website.

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The aim of the Non-Credit Programme is to take students from an absolute beginner’s stage up to a B1 level. All levels are designed to be covered in courses of 100 hours. By the end of the programme, students will have a sound command of both spoken and written French as well as an understanding of the culture and traditions of France and the Francophone world.

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For further detail and to apply, visit the https://smlc.hku.hk/nondegree/hku/

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List of courses:

• FRENCH - Level 1

• FRENCH - Level 2

• FRENCH - Level 3

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FRENCH - Level 1 (A1)
This course is open to complete beginners interested in studying the French language and culture. The aim is to provide students with a good foundation in contemporary French along with a better understanding of France and the French-speaking world. The focus is mostly on developing speaking and listening skills, with the support of reading and writing materials, and together with grammar and vocabulary drills and pronunciation practice.
 
The course will introduce more elaborate features of the language in the later stage. The main objective is to prepare students to face varied real-life contexts.
 
Internal assessment throughout the course will be provided.

 

After the completion of Level 1, students should have reached a standard consistent with Level A1.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).

Students should be able to:

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• Apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout this course to communicate in French on selected topics. 

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the French language, culture and society. 

• Demonstrate the ability to use their own experience and knowledge to approach the French language, culture and society. 

• Use the French language at a level of proficiency consistent with level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).

 

Course material 
Nouveau Rond-Point, Pas à pas, Niveau A1, Maison des langues 

Other authentic or semi-authentic documents, video/audio files, Internet and multimedia activities will be used as well in class.

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Assessment
Homework and project: 40%    
Progress Tests: 60%
 

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French - Level 2 (A2)

This course is open to students having completed Level 1. Other applicants with comparable backgrounds (around 100 hours) may also be admitted. The intention of this course is to build on the fundamentals already acquired and widen exposure and practice to more elaborate aspects of the language through extensive use of written, audio and video materials.
 
This course will focus on developing speaking and listening skills, as well as advancing reading and writing competencies. Knowledge in grammar will also be consolidated. The main objective of this course is to prepare students to get involved in varied real-life contexts, face to face contact with French speakers.
 
Internal assessment throughout the course will be provided.

 

After the completion of Level 2, students should have reached a standard consistent with Level A2.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).

Students should be able to:

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• Apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout this course to communicate in French on selected topics. 

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the French language, culture and society. 

• Demonstrate the ability to use their own experience and knowledge to approach the French language, culture and society. 

• Use the French language at a level of proficiency consistent with level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).

 

Remarks
Students who have completed level A1.2 of the CEFRL in other institutions may also be admitted by submitting the relevant PROOF (Certificate or Statement of Attendance) for verification OR seeking written approval from the Director of the French Programme. 

 

Course material 
Nouveau Rond-Point, Pas à pas, Niveau A2, Maison des langues 

Other authentic or semi-authentic documents, video/audio files, Internet and multimedia activities will be used as well in class.

 

Assessment
Homework and project: 40%    
Progress Tests: 60%
 

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French - Level 3 (B1,1)

This course will focus on further advancing oral and written competencies. The main objective of this course is to prepare students to become independent users of the language and be able to use the language in and for a variety of contexts and tasks.

Internal assessment throughout the course will be provided.

 

After the completion of Level 3, students should have reached a standard consistent with Level B1.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).

 

Students should be able to:

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• Apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout this course to communicate in French on selected topics. 

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the French language, culture and society. 

• Demonstrate the ability to use their own experience and knowledge to approach the French language, culture and society. 

• Use the French language at a level of proficiency consistent with level B1.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).

 

Students who have successfully completed Level 3 will be encouraged to sit the official DELF B1 examination

 

Course material

Nouveau Rond-Point, Pas à pas, Niveau B1.1, Maison des langues

Other authentic or semi-authentic documents, video/audio files, Internet and multimedia activities will be used as well in class.

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Assessment

Homework and project: 40%   

Progress Tests: 60%

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