French

Beginners - A Taster

This eight week classroom course is the first of a two part course for beginners and will give you a taste of the language you want to learn. You will be introduced to a range of basic phrases that you will be able to use in practical situations; introducing yourself and others; giving your address and nationality; numbers; ordering food and drinks and similar practical holiday/travel situations.

The emphasis will be on having fun and speaking the language through fun activities and games. The eight sessions will encourage you and give you the confidence to “have a go”.

Beginners - Moving on (Year 1)

This is a 20-week course for learners who have a few of the very basics, covered in the Beginners – A Taster course or through your own experiences. You will be introduced to a range of basic everyday language that can be used in a variety of settings e.g. holiday, social and work. The main emphasis will be on learning to speak and understand simple phrases. The sessions will cover how to cope in a variety of situations you might find yourself in when visiting a country where they speak your chosen language.

A French Christmas - A Family Event

Ever wondered what a French Christmas is like? Our languages team are offering you and your family the opportunity to learn about the festive traditions of Italy, Germany, France, and Spain this December. You will also learn a little of the language to impress your friends and family over the dinner table!

Elementary (Year 2)

This course is suitable for learners who have either completed a Beginners – moving on course, or who can already get by in everyday holiday or business settings, using simple words and phrases.

It will build on the topics covered in the beginners’ course such as personal information, shopping, travel, directions, numbers, dining out, booking accommodation. The main emphasis will be on developing your range of vocabulary to help you hold short conversations, including talking about things in the past (e.g. what you did at the weekend) and the future (e.g. holiday plans).

Pre-Intermediate (Year 3)

This course is suitable for learners who have either completed an Elementary course in your chosen language or who can already get by in everyday holiday or business settings, and have started to use the simplest ways of expressing present, past and future tenses. It will build on the topics covered in the previous course such as personal information, daily routine, shopping, travelling, future plans and past holidays. The main emphasis will be on developing your range of vocabulary to help you hold short conversations including talking about things in the past (e.g. what you did at the weekend) and the future (e.g. holiday plans).

Upper-Intermediate (Year 4)

This course builds on the pre-intermediate course, aiming to consolidate existing knowledge and develop confidence and fluency when communicating in your chosen language. The course will broaden your knowledge, vocabulary and structures using more complex present, past and future tenses and conditional forms, to extend your conversational (speaking & listening), reading and writing skills. It will build on the topics covered in the previous course such as personal information, future plans and past holidays, and it will develop your confidence when reading and understanding formal letters, holiday brochures and tourist information leaflets.

Advanced Skills & Conversation Part 1

This course for those who have completed 5+ years of learning will help you develop confidence, and improve accuracy & understanding of speaking and listening skills, on a range of practical and relevant topics such as current affairs, personal interests, cultural aspects as well as situations encountered when travelling abroad. The emphasis will be on oral communication, but will of course also improve your reading and writing skills as well. Activities will be varied and include use of the internet, recordings, video clips and films, and authentic texts that reflect aspects of cultural & social life. Learners will work individually, in pairs and whole group.

Advanced Skills & Conversation Part 2

This course is designed to further develop confidence, and improve accuracy & fluency on a wide range of topics, presenting opinions and understanding those of others, on subjects such as current affairs, personal interests, cultural aspects as well as situations encountered when travelling abroad. The emphasis will be on oral communication and the active participation of the learner is essential. Activities will be varied and include use of the internet, recordings, video clips and films, newspaper and magazine articles and book extracts to reflect aspects of cultural & social life. All skills will be developed through individual, pair and group work.