French 3 upper: module 1

What is the course about?

This course is designed to get you speaking French more freely and confidently as you work towards CEFR B2 level. Through dynamic, real‑life contexts, you’ll sharpen your listening skills, strengthen your confidence, and deepen your understanding of French across personal and social topics.

For example, you’ll move beyond simple opinions to expressing and justifying viewpoints in discussions, such as debating social issues, reacting to news items, or explaining personal experiences in greater detail.

What will we cover?

Topics covered
Learners will explore healthy food habits, relationships between generations, and the role of humour in everyday life and society.

Language focus
The course develops learners’ use of relative pronouns, reported speech, comparatives, the anterior future, and the passive voice, enabling more precise and sophisticated expression in both spoken and written French.

Cultural content
Learners will engage with selected extracts from works by Katherine Pancol, Anna Gavalda, and Tahar Ben Jelloun, offering insights into contemporary French‑language literature and social themes.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Report back on events with increasing accuracy and detail (working towards B2)
  (e.g. Il a expliqué que la conférence avait été annulée en raison de problèmes techniques.)

• Discuss relationships between generations using nuanced language
  (e.g. Même si les relations entre générations ont évolué, on constate encore des incompréhensions liées aux différences de valeurs et d’expériences.)

• Identify and comment on different humorous styles
  (e.g. L’humour de ce texte repose sur l’ironie et l’exagération, ce qui permet de critiquer la société de manière indirecte.)

Please note that the learning outcomes may vary depending on the general progress made by the students.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

French 3 Upper: Module 1

This course is aimed at students who have studied French recently for at least four years or who have successfully completed a French 3 Lower course.

If you are unsure whether this course is right for your level, please contact the Languages team at languages@citylit.ac.uk or consult our self-assessment chart

To join the course you should

• understand key details in authentic spoken French of moderate length and complexity, such as interviews, advertisements, or news reports
• understand both general meaning and specific information in routine telephone conversations
• follow routine spoken instructions (e.g. for a game, a recipe, using equipment, or installing software)
• read articles from the press or other authentic sources and produce a written summary covering the main points

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 include pair work, group work, role plays and games. A range of resources will be used to support your learning including presentations, hand-outs, and audio-visual material.

This course uses Google Classroom, a digital learning platform where all the teaching and learning resources can be found. Here are some common answers to questions about Google Classroom.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

The course is based on the coursebook Entre Nous 4 (ISBN 978‑84‑19236‑62‑3), Units 1-3. Please note that not all activities in the book may be completed during the course.

We recommend waiting until after the first class before purchasing the coursebook.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Continue your progress with French 3 Upper: Module 2, starting soon. Enrol early to secure your place.

You may also wish to consider our language and culture courses, conversation courses, or pronunciation and accents courses to expand and consolidate your learning.