1. French Studies 2020
Orientation
lecture

2. The School of Languages & Literatures
African Languages: isiXhosa Mother Tongue &
Non-mother tongue
Afrikaans & Netherlandic Studies
Chinese Studies: Mandarin
Classical Studies: Ancient Greek & Latin +
Classical Civilisations
French Studies
German Studies

3. Where to find us?
The School of Languages and Literatures Building is located on Somerset Street, between Randall House (Dean of Humanities) and SAIAB (South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity). We are opposite Homeground Coffee!
To find us on campus, cross the road at Rhodes Drama department and go through the parking lot behind Randall House.

4. French Studies team Dr Claire Cordell (Section Head: French) Prof Arthur Mukenge Prof Patrice Mwepu (currently on leave)

5. French as a Major subject
French is a potential 3-year major subject, i.e. once you have satisfactorily completed French 1, you may proceed to French 2 and provided you pass that course satisfactorily you may then enrol for French 3.
Thereafter you might consider doing French Honours, Masters and finally PhD.

6. What level of French will I reach?
The Common European Framework of Reference is used to provide an idea of the level you are likely to reach.
French 1 Elective 1: A1 – A2 level
French 1 Elective 2: A2 – B1 level
French 2: B1 ‒ B2 level
French 3: B2‒ C1 level

7. La belle France…

8. et la Francophonie… Did you know that there are more speakers
of French in Africa than there are in France?

9. Why study French? French goes well with other Humanities courses
1 You’ve always wanted
to learn it
2 It’s the language of love
3 It’s spoken in Europe
It’s spoken in Africa
French goes well with other Humanities courses

10. French words in English:
peloton savoir-faire
joie de vivre déjà vu
Amazing French words:
anticonstitutionnellement
sitographie (sites Internet + graphie e.g. biblio-graphie)
internaute (Internet + -naute e.g. astro-naut)
prestidigitateur

11. French 1 Timetable mnemonic:FRE 1 Course code 12011A0
To register you need:
No prior knowledge of French (Elective 1)
Course co-ordinator: Prof Arthur Mukenge
Room 24 School of Languages Building
(opposite Homeground Coffee)
Or some prior knowledge, e.g. A-levels, O-levels, Matric French or an equivalent qualification (Elective 2)
Course co-ordinator: Dr Claire Cordell
Room 25 School of Languages Building

12. French 1 books : Available from Van Schaik
Elective 1 Elective 2
You may also need a small French/English dictionary

13. What are the lecture times for French 1?
Lectures: Tutorials:
Monday at 11h25 On Tuesdays
Wednesday at 8h40
Thursday at 9h35
Friday at 10h30

14. What sort of thing will I be doing?
The essential elements of the language
The essential elements of French and Francophone culture
Literature (basic – Semester 2)
Translation (basic – Semester 2)

15. What can I do with French. All sorts of things
What can I do with French? All sorts of things! Become a teacher, a reporter, a translator, study overseas, work in international relations, work for an NGO or a business enterprise here or elsewhere in Africa... French is your passport to the world!