Students

FREN1010 – I French Studies 1

2026 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
John Severn
john.severn@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
N/A
Convenor
Alexandra Kurmann
alex.kurmann@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
C334 25WW
Weds 11am-1pm
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit, designed for those who have little or no knowledge of French, seeks to develop students' skills in reading, writing, comprehension and speaking. It introduces students to contemporary French culture. The work in this unit is of a very intensive nature. (A1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.)

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Develop elementary level skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking in the French language.
  • ULO2: Identify, describe and evaluate a few aspects of French-speaking cultures and societies.
  • ULO3: Identify, evaluate and deploy the grammatical structures of French at elementary level.
  • ULO4: Apply relevant language conventions to create meaningful intercultural encounters.
  • ULO5: Demonstrate an awareness of some language and language use in both French and English.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Comprehension Skills 40% No Week 9 23:55 10 May and Week 12 23:55 31 May Individual No Open AI
Oral Production Task 30% No Week 12 17.00 29 May Individual and Group No Observed
Written Production Task 30% No Week 13 23:55 7 June Individual No Open AI

Comprehension Skills

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 9 23:55 10 May and Week 12 23:55 31 May
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open

Comprehension of French and its usage will be tested in various formats.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop elementary level skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking in the French language.
  • Identify, describe and evaluate a few aspects of French-speaking cultures and societies.
  • Identify, evaluate and deploy the grammatical structures of French at elementary level.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of some language and language use in both French and English.

Oral Production Task

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 12 17.00 29 May
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

French Speaking Test
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop elementary level skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking in the French language.
  • Identify, describe and evaluate a few aspects of French-speaking cultures and societies.
  • Apply relevant language conventions to create meaningful intercultural encounters.

Written Production Task

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13 23:55 7 June
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open

Short Answer Grammar and Vocabulary Tasks
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop elementary level skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking in the French language.
  • Identify, describe and evaluate a few aspects of French-speaking cultures and societies.
  • Identify, evaluate and deploy the grammatical structures of French at elementary level.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of some language and language use in both French and English.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

All new students will need to purchase the textbook before week 1 session 1. They need a textbook and a workbook. Choices below are between the Immersive French version, which we will teach with, or the English version for easing into langauge study. From these two options, choose hardcopies for both books or hardcopies with digital access that come with workbook access:

Défi 1/A1 Hybrid Livre élève & eBook code ISBN: 9788419236531 [Textbook with digital eBook code and workbook]

OR

Défi 1/A1 Livre de l'élève + CD Audio  ISBN: 9788416273065 [Hardcopy textbook only]

AND

Défi 1/A1 Cahier d'exercices + MP3 download ISBN: 9788417249656 [Hardcopy workbook only]

 

OR, for those who would like to use the English version of the textbook: 

Défi 1/A1 Hybrid Textbook English ed. & eBook code ISBN: 9788419236548 [Book with digital eBook code and workbook]

OR

Défi 1/A1 Textbook English edition. ISBN: 9788418907746 [Hardcopy book only]

AND

Défi 1/A1 Workbook English version. ISBN 9788418907753 [Hardcopy workbook only]

These can be bought online through www.languageint.com.au. Please use the code MAC-KUR to receive free shipping. Not having the textbook is not a reason to miss the first test. Buy either a digital or hardcopy of the books.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2026.01R of the Handbook