A bit more on Pat and Alan's courses
The courses at the DEFLE vary quite widely. There are three strands of course that they run, from IL (Initiation a la langue) through the 3 degrees of diploma, through to a certificate for teaching French as a foreign language.
Pat is in IL4 - in that class they have a conversation-based approach, using a method and a grammar but essentially talking about all sorts of subjects. From time to time they do exercises in the language lab on pronunciation or on grammar (change these statements into the past). Pat MAY have exams at the end of the course. She will certainly have the TEST to do for admission to the second term next February.
Alan is in a diploma class, and there we have a variety of subjects that we study, though the depth varies greatly. There are compulsory subjects relating to written and spoken French: Compte Rendu (summarising a speech), Translation from English, Civilisation, Phonetique, Communication, Stylistique (use of language in poetry etc.) and Grammaire. Then there are the subjects you choose - Alan has chosen Contemporary Literature and Contemporary History. Alan has exams and continual assessment tests, and because the course lasts the two terms anyway, he won't have to do the dreaded test again!
Continual assessment so far? One lecturer sets short essays. Another gives us tests. For a third we have to do a project. For another two 1/2 hour presentations (on the battle of Verdun, and on May 1968). For communication we have four lecturers, so they will just put their heads together and assign a mark.
I find it hard to take a relaxed attitude to the diploma! After all, it doesn't matter. It's a tool. A means to an end. The goal is fluency and proficiency in French. The diploma is irrelevant. I must repeat that to myself each night until I am properly convinced.
Pat is in IL4 - in that class they have a conversation-based approach, using a method and a grammar but essentially talking about all sorts of subjects. From time to time they do exercises in the language lab on pronunciation or on grammar (change these statements into the past). Pat MAY have exams at the end of the course. She will certainly have the TEST to do for admission to the second term next February.
Alan is in a diploma class, and there we have a variety of subjects that we study, though the depth varies greatly. There are compulsory subjects relating to written and spoken French: Compte Rendu (summarising a speech), Translation from English, Civilisation, Phonetique, Communication, Stylistique (use of language in poetry etc.) and Grammaire. Then there are the subjects you choose - Alan has chosen Contemporary Literature and Contemporary History. Alan has exams and continual assessment tests, and because the course lasts the two terms anyway, he won't have to do the dreaded test again!
Continual assessment so far? One lecturer sets short essays. Another gives us tests. For a third we have to do a project. For another two 1/2 hour presentations (on the battle of Verdun, and on May 1968). For communication we have four lecturers, so they will just put their heads together and assign a mark.
I find it hard to take a relaxed attitude to the diploma! After all, it doesn't matter. It's a tool. A means to an end. The goal is fluency and proficiency in French. The diploma is irrelevant. I must repeat that to myself each night until I am properly convinced.
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