Short course
French: Lower Intermediate – Part 1
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
30/09/2026 - 02/12/202619:00 - 21:00
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
Improve your language skills and understanding of the culture, society and daily life in the French-speaking countries. We will be practising the four language skills at lower intermediate level.
To support the development of communicative skills, the course offers a balanced progression in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Each session features practical, meaningful activities – from interactive tasks, and guided listening to problem‑solving scenarios and discussions. Learners engage with authentic language, collaborate with classmates, and build confidence through varied, hands‑on activities that mirror real‑world communication.
The course is pitched at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and completion of the course will help you meet some of the level requirements.
Is this the right level course for you?
To benefit from the course, learners will have done one of the following:
- Completed our 'Beginners – Part 2' or equivalent; or
- Gained a GCSE (Grade B or below) in French; or
- Achieved level A1+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages in French
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Course starts 30 September 2026
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Wednesdays, 7.00-9.00pm.
The weekly schedule below is intended to give an indication of the main topic(s) likely to be covered in each session. Please note that these may sometimes change according to the tutor’s discretion to reflect the interests of course participants.
Week 1: Introductions. Saying who we are and what we do. Talking about our language learning experiences. Discussing our hobbies and tastes.
Week 2: Establishing chronologies and composing short biographies.
Week 3: Suggesting an outing and discussing cultural activities. Accepting or refusing social invitations.
Week 4: Recounting memories. Narrating past routines and experiences.
Week 5: Talking about holiday experiences. Describing the landscape and the weather.
Week 6: Choosing and describing different types of accommodation. Talking about interiors.
Week 7: Comparing lifestyles, places and living conditions. Describing one’s neighbourhood.
Week 8: Physical descriptions
Week 9: Talking about character and personality traits.
Week 10: Discovering and discussing past and present French and Francophone figures.
Key grammar points
- Perfect tense + agreement
- Time structures depuis, il y a, pendant
- Imperfect tense
- Relative pronouns qui, que, où
- Comparatives
- Complex negative forms
Key functions
- Narrating past events and experiences
- Using key phrases to suggest an outing, accept or refuse an invitation
- Describing and comparing locations
- Presenting one’s accommodation
- Describing people physically and talking about their character
Course aims
Develop learners’ interactive skills in the target language in a range of simple and everyday situations requiring straightforward descriptions and direct exchange of information on family and other people, living conditions, educational background and work.
Course objectives
- Develop the language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing at level A2 of the CEFR.
- Consolidate listening and speaking skills to enable students to communicate in a range of simple everyday work and leisure settings and matters in areas of most immediate relevance.
- Equip students with the vocabulary items and grammatical structures required to read and write short, simple texts on familiar topics.
- Develop an insight into the cultural practices relating to simple everyday work, study and leisure settings.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be better prepared to:
- communicate in a range of simple everyday situations requiring direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters;
- understand and respond appropriately to a range of simple spoken language in everyday situations provided speech is slowly and clearly articulated;
- read and demonstrate comprehension of a range of short simple texts on familiar matters of concrete type and consisting of everyday language;
- write short, simple notes, messages, descriptions and/or personal letters;
- demonstrate intercultural awareness in everyday social situations and language use generally.
Level and demands
Pitched at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), completion of this course helps you meet some of the level requirements.
Find out more about our language levels.
Teaching methods
You will learn through practical activities that encourage the use of the target language. Sessions typically integrate meaningful scenarios, pair and small‑group work, and collaborative problem‑solving in a supportive and friendly environment. These tasks bring together speaking, listening, reading, and writing, enabling you to apply the language purposefully in real‑world situations.
The course is designed to build your spoken and listening abilities while deepening your understanding of cultural nuances, etiquette, and everyday usage. We will work with new grammatical structures through meaningful, communicative tasks, and you will continue developing your reading and writing skills both in class and independently through self‑study.
Assessment methods
You will be set short, optional assignments to consolidate your learning and to allow you to progress at your own pace.
The tutor is yet to be confirmed. This information will be provided when it is known.
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add this badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £315.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Textbooks
To participate in the course fully, you will need access to the following textbook:
- ÉDITO A2, Méthode de français, 2ème édition / Fafa, Clémence; Gajdosova, Florence; Horquin, Alexandra; Pasquet, Airelle: Perrard, Marion; Petitmengin, Violette; Sperandio, Caroline – Éditions Didier 2022, ISBN : 978-2-278-10410—9 / 978-2-278-10411-6
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries, for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are also welcome to use the Library for reference.
- More information about the Library can be found on the Bodleian Libraries website.
- This guide for Weekly Class students also provides further information.
Preparatory reading
- ÉDITO A2, Méthode de français, 2ème édition / Fafa, Clémence; Gajdosova, Florence; Horquin, Alexandra; Pasquet, Airelle: Perrard, Marion; Petitmengin, Violette; Sperandio, Caroline – Éditions Didier 2022, ISBN : 978-2-278-10410—9 / 978-2-278-10411-6
Module code: O26P559XFW
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.