FR-402 Didactics of French, one subject only

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Post-Graduate Certificate in Education

Teaching language

French/Norwegian

Prerequisites

FR-128

Course contents

The course is a part of the 1-year programme in educational theory and practice which consists of didactics in one or two school subjects, pedagogy and practice.

The course is subdivided into three main areas:
- The school's position in society and the subject's place in education
- Pupil knowledge and the role of the teacher
- Teaching and learning

The position of education in society and the subject's place in education deals with the distinctiveness of the subject of French, its development and its legitimization as a school subject. It also deals with the position of the French language in an international context. The work with the National Curriculum Regulations for secondary school and reflections on didactical problems will also be focused.

Pupil knowledge and the role of the teacher examines the role of the French teacher, and how knowledge of youth culture and the diversity of the pupils' background and abilities influence the teacher's work. Reflection on the teacher's French language proficiency and the teacher as a role model will also be emphasized.

Teaching and learning treats didactic theories, varied work methods and learning strategies related to the teaching of French on levels 11-13. The students¿ knowledge about various printed and digital teaching materials adapted to this level will be emphasized. The main area will be French language proficiency and interdisciplinary basic skills. Focus will be placed on didactical reflection and practical rehearsal in the form of planning, conducting, adapting and assessing French teaching in secondary school.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge
Upon completion of the course students shall have acquired

• Knowledge of the National Curriculum for Foreign Languages, Level 11-13, and how it is adapted to French

• Knowledge about French didactics aimed at level 11-13

• Knowledge of different learning strategies, work methods and learning arenas suitable for French

• Knowledge about basic proficiency in French

• Knowledge about the multicultural school and the possibilities and challenges it represents for teaching French

• models and theories for classroom management, relation building and learning environment

• Knowledge about the pupils' cultural expressions and their interest in the subject

• The ability to legitimate French as a subject and an important element for formation

• Advanced methodical knowledge

Skills
Upon completion of the course students shall

• Be able to apply knowledge about the National Curriculum for Foreign Languages and the characteristics of French in order to promote good learning processes on level 11-13

• Be able to apply knowledge about youth culture and the diversity of the pupils' backgrounds, and the ability to facilitate learning in French on level 11-13

• Be able to apply language proficiency in French in a way that promotes good topical and social learning processes

• Be able to plan, implement, adapt and evaluate the teaching of French on level 11-13

• Be able to analyze the National Curriculum and produce clear and relevant learning aims on level 11-13

• Be able to evaluate and use different teaching materials, use various work methods and learning strategies aimed at level 11-13

• Be able to plan and implement a practice related R&D work, and discuss and present the results in a structured and scientific way

• Be able to navigate in research literature and adapt relevant theory in a critical and reflected way in his/her own R&D work

• Be able to carry out independent analyses of collected data material

General competence
Upon completion of the course students shall

• Be able to reflect on and discuss didactical problems in general and in French in particular

• Have a professional attitude and be able to reflect critically on questions related to both subject and teaching

• Be able to further develop his/her own topical and didactical competence and contribute to collaboration on teaching and school development

• Have a concious relation to ethical problems related to research, including protection of personal information, source criticism and source reference

Examination requirements

• Completed and passed practice

• Mandatory attendance at teaching (80%)

• The presentation of the R&D project must be assessed as a pass. Specia instructions will be given.

• Special requirements for students doing one subject only must be approved. Further information will be given when the semester starts.

Teaching methods

The teaching will be characterized by a variety of work methods in the form of lectures, seminars, group work, conversation, the use of digital aids, school visits, practice and supervision, Students will also be responsible for planning and implementing teaching for their fellow students with varied methods as a basis.

Apart from the teaching itself, students will be expected to work with various tasks, individually and in groups. A considerable amount of the students' learning and development will depend on individual efforts.

The students' actual participation in practical tasks is a necessary part of the teaching. Mandatory attendance will then be required.

The student will during the semester implement his/her own planned research project. This implies collecting data related to the practice, and processing and analyzing the data in the light of relevant theory. Instructions for the presentation of the project will be described separately. The student shall present the results in a structured and scientific way in a written assignment. The student shall present an individual list of literature related to the project.

The students will have six weeks of practice in secondary school.

The workload is estimated to about 400 hours.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1.

Admission for external candidates

No

Assessment methods and criteria

Term paper (about 3500 words), counts 50%
Written assignment, counts 50%
For the grade to be valid both examinations must be assessed as a pass
Graded assessment

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course	Reduction of Credits
FR-108 – Didactics of French in the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, one subject only	15
FR-401 – Didactics of French	7.5
FR-107 – Didactics of French in the in the Postgraduate Certificate in Education	7.5
FR-400 – Didactics of French, part 2 (level 8-13)	7.5
FR-403 – Specialization assignment for one-subject students – French	7.5