Introduction to French 1

Whether you're looking to develop language skills for work, travel or broader cultural understanding, Introduction To French 1 provides an accessible starting point for complete beginners. Participants will build the confidence to communicate in everyday situations while developing practical speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in French.

The course introduces the foundations of French grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure through realistic communication scenarios. Alongside language development, participants will gain an appreciation of French-speaking cultures, creating a solid foundation for further language study and wider personal or professional development.

 

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for participants who:

• Are complete beginners with no previous knowledge of French.
• Wish to develop practical language skills for travel, work or personal development.
• Need to communicate confidently in everyday situations using basic spoken and written French.
• Want to build a foundation for further study of the French language.
• Are interested in developing an understanding of French-speaking cultures alongside their language skills.

 

Why take this course?

Learning a new language is an increasingly valuable skill, enabling individuals to communicate more effectively across cultures and build confidence in a range of personal and professional settings. Developing practical language skills can enhance travel experiences, support international collaboration and open the door to further study or career opportunities.

Introduction To French 1 provides a structured introduction to the French language, helping participants develop the confidence to understand and use French in everyday situations. By combining essential grammar with practical communication and cultural awareness, the course equips participants with a solid foundation from which to continue developing their language skills and engage more confidently with French-speaking communities.

 

What you will learn

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Communicate in French during simple everyday interactions, including introducing themselves and exchanging personal information.
• Understand spoken French used in common situations at an introductory level.
• Read and interpret short, straightforward French texts to identify key information.
• Write simple texts about familiar topics, such as daily routines, leisure activities, people and places.
• Apply fundamental French grammar and vocabulary to communicate with increasing confidence and accuracy.
• Demonstrate an awareness of basic cultural conventions across France and other French-speaking countries to support effective communication.

 

How you will learn

This course is delivered through a combination of scheduled lectures and seminar sessions, providing opportunities to develop both your understanding of the French language and your practical communication skills. Grammar concepts are introduced during tutor-led teaching before being reinforced through interactive activities, including role plays, pair work, presentations and language exercises.

Participants will also undertake independent study, including written assignments and directed learning activities supported through the University's Virtual Learning Environment (AULA). The course comprises 100 learning hours, including 24 hours of scheduled teaching, 20 hours of asynchronous learning activities and 56 hours of independent study, offering a flexible approach that supports professional and personal commitments

 

Course Content

• Foundations of the French language
• Introducing yourself and others
• Communicating in everyday situations
• Developing practical language skills
• Understanding French-speaking cultures

 

Assessment

Assessment has been designed to help participants demonstrate their ability to apply the language skills developed throughout the course. Through a combination of coursework and a class test, participants will have the opportunity to use French in practical contexts while demonstrating their understanding of key grammar, vocabulary and everyday communication.

Together, these assessment methods provide a balanced measure of progress across the core language skills and encourage participants to apply their learning with confidence and accuracy.

 

Applying your learning

Throughout the course, you will:

• Apply your developing language skills through realistic communication activities based on everyday situations.
• Build confidence by practising French in pair and group exercises, presentations and role-play activities.
• Reinforce your learning through independent study, written exercises and regular use of the University's Virtual Learning Environment (AULA).
• Reflect on your progress as you develop greater fluency and accuracy in spoken and written French.

 

You will leave with:

• The confidence to communicate in simple everyday situations using French.
• A practical foundation in the core language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.
• An understanding of essential French grammar and vocabulary that supports continued language development.
• Greater cultural awareness to help you engage more effectively with French-speaking communities.
• A strong basis for further language study and continued personal or professional development

 

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course, making it accessible to participants with no previous knowledge of French. It is designed specifically for complete beginners who are looking to develop practical language skills in a structured and supportive learning environment.

Participants should be prepared to study at SCQF Level 7 and commit time to independent learning alongside scheduled teaching sessions to support their progress throughout the course.

 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be awarded 10 SCQF credits at SCQF Level 7.

These credits may contribute towards further undergraduate study at the University of the West of Scotland, in accordance with University regulations.

 

Sector and workforce relevance

The ability to communicate in more than one language is increasingly valuable across a wide range of professional and personal contexts. French is one of the world's most widely spoken languages, and developing practical communication skills can support international collaboration, enhance customer interactions and improve cultural awareness in an increasingly connected environment.

This course reflects current language learning practice by focusing on practical communication rather than memorisation alone. Participants develop the confidence to understand and use French in realistic everyday situations while gaining an appreciation of the cultural conventions that underpin effective communication in French-speaking contexts.