Getting Started

Course Options


The Department of French Studies offers courses at the advanced beginner and intermediate levels for incoming first-year students and students taking their first course in French Studies.


Intermediate Level

FREN 150 - Français intermédiaire (6.0 units | In Person)

Intended Learners: This course is designed for those with a strong Core French background and students with a French Immersion background.

Course Content: Taught entirely in French and in-person, FREN 150 has been designed to help intermediate-level students review (or relearn) key grammar concepts, and develop their linguistic skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing in French through a variety of in-class and tutorial activities.

French Plan: This is the prerequisite gateway course for all FREN degree plans.
It also counts towards a French teachable in the Faculty of Education.

Please note: All students enrolling in FREN 150 are required to take the French Placement test to ensure that the course is the best fit for their language level. For more information on the placement test, see below.

French Placement Test


Beginner Level 

The Department of French Studies also offers one course at the advanced beginner and low intermediate level (A2) designed to help students to reach intermediate-level proficiency.

According to the Council of Europe, which has devised the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, A2 learners can:

  • “understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
  • communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
  • describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.”

 

FREN 118 - Communication et culture III (3.0 units | ONLINE)

Intended Learners: This online course is suitable for students who have completed grade 10, 11, or 12 Core French with no French Immersion background (in Canada) or equivalent. It has been designed for advanced beginners and low intermediate users of the language.

Course Content: In addition to learning the essential grammar rules of the A2 level, students will learn to listen and respond to short written and audio texts relating to daily life; write short grammatically accurate texts that solve everyday problems; communicate orally about familiar topics and learn to describe the cultures of French speaking countries.

French Plan: FREN 118 cannot be used for credit towards any degree plan in French. Students who complete FREN 118 may enrol in FREN 150 afterwards.

Placement Test: The Placement Test can help determine if this course is right for you. See the red button above for the link.

Attention!


Academic Integrity Policy

Taking a French course that is below your level of proficiency is prohibited because doing so gives students an unfair advantage over other students who are just beginning to learn the language. Gaining an unearned advantage over other students in this way is considered a departure from academic integrity.

Acting with integrity means being honest about your background in French, the academic work you do, taking responsibility for your learning, and acting in a way that is fair to others. For the courses at the Beginner Level, you will be required to sign a pledge affirming your honesty about your background and your commitment to academic integrity.

À noter: Il n’est pas permis aux étudiants francophones de suivre les cours de niveau 100, ainsi que le FREN 219 et le FREN 320.

Have More Questions?


If after reviewing the information above, you are unsure how to proceed, please contact the French Studies Department for guidance.

Angie Clark - Undergraduate Assistant
francais@queensu.ca 
613.533.2090