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Accessibility statement
Learn to speak and understand French in a range of practical situations, and explore French culture with this carefully structured beginners’ module. This introductory OU level 1 module develops the skills you need to speak and understand simple French in everyday contexts. It explores life in French-speaking countries and communities, introducing you to a wide range of situations such as travelling, shopping, working and eating out. Study resources include printed materials and a dedicated website with a variety of online activities which support independent learning. Together, they’ll give you not just language skills, but a real feel for French-speaking cultures.
Throughout this module, you will learn about the concepts, skills and strategies required to learn French successfully.
Over six thematic units, you will learn new language covering levels A1 and A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. With a focus on communication and interaction, you will develop language skills and explore cultural content about the French-speaking world.
The six units centre around the following themes:
The module is based around three books and has at its core the following elements:
The study materials are carefully structured and graded, and provide ample opportunities to practise the language in realistic contexts, with an emphasis on listening and speaking skills. By the end of the module you will be able to speak and understand simple language and will have developed an understanding of key aspects of life in France and in the wider French-speaking world.
This module is designed to enable you to achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level A2 of the Council of Europe Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. You will have developed your knowledge and understanding of the language as well as an awareness of cultural diversity in French-speaking countries which form a key part of the learning outcomes for studying at this level. By the end of the module you will have developed key OU level 1 undergraduate study skills such as learning to work independently and using strategies which enable you to solve problems and analyse data. The module will also help you develop your intercultural communication competence, your critical thinking as well as your digital literacy, all of which are considered as important employability skills.
This is a key introductory OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning.
No prior knowledge of French is required to study this module. To help decide if this is the module for you, use our self-assessment quiz.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
As part of the module, there will be a selection of induction sessions to help you familiarise yourself with the module materials, website and OU terminology.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
TMAs test your writing and speaking skills. Your listening and reading skills will be tested by iCMAs. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the module.
You'll have access to a module website, which includes:
You'll also be provided with three printed module books.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying L102 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Introduction to French studies (beginners) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2036.
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