Action in French (LXR122)
Frequently Asked Questions
The following information may help you to decide whether this is the right course for you:
- I am not sure whether my French is good enough. What level of prior knowledge do I need to have?
- Where is the residential week being held?
- How do I get to Caen University?
- What are the start and finish times for the residential school?
- What is the accommodation like?
- Can I make my own arrangements for accommodation if I don't want to stay on campus?
- Are meals included in the cost of the course?
- Who will be teaching the course?
- Will it all be in French?
- What size group will I be in?
- What study/teaching facilities are available on site?
- How much free time will I have?
- To get my 10 CATS points do I just have to attend the residential course?
- I have mobility or other disability problems. Will the course be suitable for me?
- What happens after I have finished the week in Caen?
- How do I register for the course?
- I haven't been able to find the answer to my query. Who can I contact?
- I am not sure whether my French is good enough. What level of prior knowledge do I need to have?
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The course is designed to suit a range of students, from those completing L192 or L120, to people who have a basic knowledge of French for example, at 'school' GCSE level (e.g. can ask for directions, introduce themselves, have a simple conversation in French).
The structure of the course allows for you to be assigned to a group of students of your own ability, to ensure that you can make the most of your week's study.
- Where is the residential week being held?
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At the University of Caen in Normandy (see the residential schools website for further information: http://www.open.ac.uk/residential-schools). Click on LXR122 in the dropdown and select one of the weeks. You can also access the University of Caen website at http://www.unicaen.fr and find out further information about the town of Caen at http://www.ville-caen.fr
- How do I get to Caen University?
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You are responsible for arranging and paying for your own travel, but we can provide useful information about ways of getting to Caen (see the residential schools website for further information: http://www.open.ac.uk/residential-schools).
- What are the start and finish times for the residential school?
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You should register between 14.00 - 18.00 on Saturday and the course will finish by 12.30 on Friday.
- What is the accommodation like?
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You will be provided with a single room in university accommodation (there are no double rooms). This will be en-suite with a washbasin, shower and toilet. About two weeks before your residential week you will receive a booklet which will give you more information about the University and maps of the site and its location.
- Can I make my own arrangements for accommodation if I don't want to stay on campus?
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Yes, but there is no refund of the accommodation costs. A room will be allocated for you as for all students, and you will need to let us know if you are not staying on campus. You can contact the Tourist Information Office at Caen:
Telephone: 0033 231 27 14 14
E-mail: tourisminfo@ville-caen.fr
Web: http://www.ville-caen.fr/gb
As the academic programme is intensive and typically runs from 09:00 to 21:00 we do recommend that you stay onsite.
- Are meals included in the cost of the course?
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Yes, meals are provided in the university restaurant. The food is good, and special dietary requirements (eg. vegetarian, vegan) can be catered for. Please let us know in advance.
A vegetarian choice will be offered at each meal as standard.
- Who will be teaching the course?
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The tutors will be from the Open University and the University of Caen. All are experienced teachers of French as a foreign language. They will be sympathetic to students at all levels (particularly those who lack confidence!). They will be assisted by an equal number of French 'language assistants', who will provide many opportunities to converse with native French speakers.
- Will it all be in French?
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As far as possible communication will be in French, but English-speaking support is on hand in case of need.
- What size group will I be in?
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The main groups will be about 18 students but these will be subdivided into smaller working groups. On each day except Sunday students will be supported in their learning by the tutors and by an equal number of French teacher training 'assistants'. This will allow individual/small group support when needed.
- What study/teaching facilities are available on site?
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A computer room and a resource room ('salle de documentation') will be available for you to use with your tutors. The computer room and resource room will be available for private study.
- How much free time will I have?
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Enough to enjoy being in France, but not a lot! This is an intensive credit-bearing course - you will have some free time and some time for self-study, but there will be plenty of activities and a busy academic programme.
- To get my 10 CATS points do I just have to attend the residential course?
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No, there are three stages to the course:
First, you will complete a formative assignment before you go to France to be sent in by mid-June. Information from this will help us to cater more specifically for your academic needs when you attend the residential week.
During the week of study at Caen, you will be using activities to build up a personal folder of work.
You will also be asked to record an oral presentation/discussion on the Thursday in Caen.
After the residential week, you will complete a short written piece of work to be submitted by early September. Both the oral work and the written piece must be passed in order to gain the 10 credit points at level one.
(You will be sent further details about the assessment and the assignments after you have registered).
- I have mobility or other disability problems and I am not sure if the course will be suitable for me.
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For further information about additional support, please refer to the Residential Schools website or contact the Office for Students with Disabilities:
Telephone: 01908 653745
Textphone: 01908 655978
- What happens after I have finished the week in Caen?
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After the residential week, you will be required to completed an assignment of 350 words which will need to be submitted by early September. If you successfully complete this and the oral work (see above) you will be awarded 10 points at level one. Your result will be sent to you in late December.
- How do I register for the course?
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Information on registering for the course can be found on the Courses and Qualifications page.
- I haven't been able to find the answer to my query. Who can I contact?
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If you have queries that you have not been able to find an answer to, please contact the French Team on 01908 65413.
