Teaching French as a Foreign Language

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
40
Overall hours
SSD
L-LIN/02
Language
French
Learning objectives
The course offers, firstly, a disciplinary framework for the teaching of foreign languages with particular reference to the teaching of French as a foreign language and, secondly, a framework for the teaching methods that have followed one another since the middle of the last century until today. The study will focus on the theoretical characteristics that a teacher must take into account in his choices and on the didactic applications according to some guidelines: what is the 'language', how to learn it, how to teach it and with which materials. Teaching is in fact a constant decision-making process: the teacher chooses continuously at the level of method, objectives, activities and procedures according to his beliefs, the indications of the programs and practical considerations.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: the student becomes aware of the European reference documents and the succession of methods and materials for teaching the français langue étrangère over time. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student learns in this first approach to teaching French to make informed choices in planning, teaching and assessing a foreign language through the example of French as a foreign language.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is entitled "The History of Glottodidactics between the 19th and 21st Centuries and the Influence of the New Common European Framework of Reference" and consists of the following two parts, tackled in an integrated manner:

Part A: (20 hours, 3 cfu): The 19th century up to the communicative turn
Part B: (20 hrs, 3 cfu): The reception of the Common European Framework of Reference between 2001 and 2020

The course provides 6 CFU. It is not possible to acquire 9.

In the course you will learn to observe approaches, methods and techniques with historical references to foreign language teaching and in particular to français langue étrangère. In particular, we will focus on the transition from the communicative method to the action-oriented approach. The study of the Common European Framework - Companion Volume will be fundamental and indispensable for dealing with the evolution of the discipline. Students should be able to prepare a 'scenario' according to the latest trend in glottodidactics.

The course programme runs until February 2026. From the summer session 2027 it will be possible to present exclusively on the A.A. 2025-26 syllabus.

Website of the course: https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=3662
Prerequisites for admission
B2 corresponding to the CEFR grid in French. The course and bibliography are partly in French.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: classroom lessons.
Teaching Resources
The course has a site on the Myariel online teaching platform, to which reference is made for various information. Below is the reference bibliography, which will be definitively updated before the start of the course:

- Philippe Rezeau, Cap. 2. 2 | Évolution des approches et méthodologies en DLE depuis un demi-siècle, file su Ariel oppure https://www.yumpu.com/fr/document/view/16709900/chapitre-2-joseph-rezeau
- M. Barsi - M.C. Rizzardi, Dalla linguistica degli anni Settanta (XX sec.) alla glottodidattica, dispensa estratta da Metodi e Materiali per la didattica del francese e dell'inglese nel tempo, (Milano, Led, 2019, cap. 10, 11, 13), disponibile in epub presso LED isbn 978-88-5513-016-5- http://promoplurilinguismo.unimi.it
- Consiglio d'Europa, Quadro Comune Europeo di Riferimento. Volume complementare, 2020 https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/promoitals/article/view/15120/13999 - Conseil de l'Europe, Cadre Européen Commun de Référence. Volume complémentaire, https://rm.coe.int/cadre-europeen-commun-de-reference-pour-les-langues-apprendre-enseigne/1680a4e270
- E. Piccardo, Du communicatif à l'actionnel: un cheminement de recherche, 2014 http://www.edugains.ca/resourcesFSL/PDF/CommunicativeToActionApproach/CommunicativeToActionOriented_AResearchPathway_French.pdf
- B. North, The CEFR Companion Volume - What's new and what might it imply for teaching/learning and for assessment?, CEFR Journal - Practice and Research Volume 4, December 20, 2021,
https://cefrjapan.net/images/PDF/CEFRJournal/CEFRJournal-4-1_D_North_2021.pdf
See also materials published on the website of the course: https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=3662
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination:

The examination consists of a presentation in Italian and an oral examination in French on the course content and on the didactic units realised during the course.

International students or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the teacher as soon as possible. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
L-LIN/02 - EDUCATIONAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours