French 2 upper: improve your speaking at a gentle pace
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Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 23 Oct 2025End Date: 04 Dec 2025Thu (Daytime): 12:00 - 13:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 4 sessions (over -7 weeks)Course Code: LFW69Tutors: Estelle HélouinFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00
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What is the course about?
This course will enable you to improve your speaking skills by making you aware of a wide range of strategies that can make you a more fluent speaker of the language. It will also increase your awareness of what you can realistically expect from an interaction at your level of ability. You will also understand the rationale and benefits of practising speaking without written support.
What will we cover?
- Communication skills vs grammar knowledge
- Difference between written and spoken language
- Speaking spontaneously vs following a script
- Communication strategies.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- become more confident at speaking without a script
- gain a better understanding of how sticking to French can improve your speaking skills
- identify and put into practice strategies to communicate without resorting to English
- use a range of strategies to react to other speakers in spontaneous conversations.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for students who have studied the language for 3 years or have equivalent knowledge of the language. Please note this course is designed for students currently taking s gentle pace course and/or who find it difficult to speak independently.
If you are not sure about your level, please contact Languages on languages@citylit.ac.uk or check our level assessment chart on: http://www.citylit.ac.uk/self-assess-your-level
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Our courses are characterised by spoken interaction and communication. Typical activities will include pair and small group discussions in French. Unlike other language courses, there will also be some short discussions in English which will aim at clarifying approaches and strategies to improve fluency.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Any courses at level 2 Upper .Please check our website for details or contact Languages at languages@citylit.ac.uk.
Estelle became interested in languages in secondary school, in France, where she had an inspiring and brilliant English teacher who made students speak the language for the whole lesson. This approach was quite ground-breaking at the time! After studying English at university and working briefly as a translator, she developped a passion for teaching after discovering a course to become a teacher of French as a foreign language when she moved to London many years ago. Estelle has taught adults from all different backgrounds and levels and has also enjoyed being a language learner herself. “Being quite musical, I particularly love the sound of languages, I am also passionate about learning in general. I think learning languages not only helps you discover other cultures but also enable people to develop many competences such as communication skills”.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.