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Accessibility & LanguageFrench
Diploma in French
Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development- Title of Award
- Diploma
- Course Code
- FR1
- Delivery
- Online
- NFQ
- 7
- Award Type
- Minor
- Duration
- 2 years, part-time
- ECTS Weighting
- 30
Why Choose This Course?
Course Information
This Diploma in French is open to anyone with an interest in French and who wishes to gain fluency in the language. This course is not intended for complete beginners. Successful applicants will be placed in either an intermediate or advanced group to ensure they progress at the most effective pace for their learning.
Students will study major cultural issues in the contemporary French-speaking world. In their second year, students will be introduced to the world of French literature. As the course progresses, students should be able to converse on and comprehend a variety of topics and situations.
Application to enter year 2 of the Diploma in French is available to those who have completed an equivalent course at third level or who have lived in a Francophone country for an extended period.
The course aims to equip students with appropriate written and oral skills in French. The French native teachers will use the communicative method of modern language instruction. He/she will gradually introduce the relevant points of grammar to the students and show how these are applied to written and oral structures. By the end of each week/term/and year students should be able to converse and comprehend a variety of topics and situations that are normally encountered in everyday situations in a contemporary Francophone environment.
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.
Year 1 (15 Credits)
RequiredFR8100: French I: Introduction to French Language
FR8100: French I: Introduction to French Language
Semester 1 | Credits: 5
Students develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for interactive communication in the following areas: social interactions, ordering food, work and leisure activities, interpersonal relations in the family and community, and city life. Classes will be taught communicatively, with an emphasis on pair and group work. A series of linguistic tasks, related to living and working abroad, will enable students to achieve the targets set. These tasks will promote the development of the four language skills, the acquisition of knowledge of the foreign culture and knowledge of the language associated with the students' specialism. In principle classes will be conducted in the target language.
(Language of instruction: French)
Learning Outcomes
- Read and demonstrate comprehension of a short paragraph in French about people, places or everyday topics.
- Converse in a culturally appropriate manner about everyday topics such as greetings and personal description
- Write an essay in French about themselves and everyday topics.
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
Reading List
- "Vis-à-vis: Beginning French" by Amon, Evelyne, Muyskens, Judith and Omagio Hadley, Alice C
Publisher: McGraw Hill - "Bescherelle: La conjugaison pour tous" by Hatier
Publisher: Hatier
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredFR8102: Language, Culture & Society in France
FR8102: Language, Culture & Society in France
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Students are exposed to cultural and political aspects of life in France and In other French-speaking countries and are encouraged to share their own experience. The aim of this module is to provide students with a basic understanding of the workings of French society; to equip students to understand the French way of life and to improve reading skills in French.
(Language of instruction: French)
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of society and culture in contemporary France and French-speaking countries.
- Undertake a supervised research project in the field of French and Francophone Studies.
- Utilise learning and research technologies in French and English.
- Prepare and deliver a short oral presentation on topics of general interest or relating to contemporary France.
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
Reading List
- "Collins Robert French Dictionary" by n/a
ISBN: 9780007556526. - "Practising French Grammar, A Workbook" by Hawkins, Lamy, Towell
Publisher: Arnold - "Culture Shock! France-a guide to Customs and Etiquette" by Sally Adamson Taylor
ISBN: 10 155 860 56.
Publisher: Graphic Arts Centre Publishing Company
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredFR8101: French II: French Language and Comprehension
FR8101: French II: French Language and Comprehension
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Students continue to develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for interactive communication in the following areas: past experiences, travel, regional cuisine and cultural diversity. The module will prepare students to communicate effectively and fluently in everyday situations. There will also be a thorough revision of the basics of French grammar, syntax and vocabulary. Although primarily focusing on language use, the module, through the topics chosen for language practice and, in particular, through a range of media including music and film, will enable students to gain insights into contemporary French society and customs.
(Language of instruction: French)
Learning Outcomes
- Converse in a culturally appropriate manner with French speakers about topics such as discussing their future plans or relating something that happened in the past.
- Read and demonstrate comprehension of short articles in French.
- Write an essay in French about topics such as describing a past event with passé composé and/or imparfait.
- Use technology and media to improve his/her language learning skills.
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
Reading List
- "English Grammar for Students of French" by Jacqueline Morton
Publisher: Arnold
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
OptionalRPL005: Recognised Prior Learning
RPL005: Recognised Prior Learning
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
OptionalRPL010: Recognised Prior Learning
RPL010: Recognised Prior Learning
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Year 2 (15 Credits)
RequiredFR8201: Improvers French I
FR8201: Improvers French I
Semester 1 | Credits: 5
Students continue to develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for interactive communication.
Classes are taught communicatively, with an emphasis on pair and group work. In principle classes will be conducted in the target language.
(Language of instruction: French)
Learning Outcomes
- Communicate effectively in authentic French, both orally and in writing
- Demonstrate mastery of elements of grammar essential to effective communication in French;
- Recognise and describe the historical, social, economic and political forces that have shaped French society.
- Demonstrate an understanding of French through a variety of different media, including radio and news broadcasts, lectures and discussions.
- Write in accurate and appropriate French on topical issues
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
The above information outlines module FR8201: "Improvers French I " and is valid from 2017 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredFR8203: French Culture/Literature/Language
FR8203: French Culture/Literature/Language
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Students will continue to study major cultural and topical issues in the contemporary French speaking world and will also be introduced to French Literature. The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of French culture and the main literary movements in France, to equip students to understand the French way of life and to improve oral and reading skills in French.
(Language of instruction: French)
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate oral and public presentation skills in French.
- Reflect critically on their position as a developing multicultural person and as a global citizen through the analysis of the social, historical and cultural processes represented in the French and Francophone texts and films studied.
- Demonstrate skills in critical thinking and in the interpretation of literary texts.
- Read and understand written French through a variety of different media (including newspapers, periodicals and websites).
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
Reading List
- "Le Petit Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Publisher: Gallimard - "Contes" by Charles PERRAULT
Publisher: Hachette - "Tintin en Amérique" by Hergé
Publisher: Casternan
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredFR8202: Improvers French II
FR8202: Improvers French II
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Students continue to develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for interactive communication. The module will prepare students to communicate effectively and fluently in predictable, everyday situations. Although primarily focusing on language use, the module, through the topics chosen for language practice and, in particular, through a range of media including music and the Internet, will enable students to continue to gain further insights into contemporary French society and customs.
(Language of instruction: French)
Learning Outcomes
- Write clear detailed text on a wide range of subjects; explain viewpoints on topical issues, giving advantages and disadvantages.
- Demonstrate increasingly sophisticated skills in French, incorporating reading and writing, speaking and listening comprehension equivalent to oral and written French at level B1 of the Common European Framework for Languages.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the use of French in a variety of contexts and registers.
- Develop strategies to deduce the meaning of unfamiliar advanced vocabulary from the context in which it is used.
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
Reading List
- "French Grammar and Usage" by Roger Hawkins and Richard Towell
Publisher: Routledge - "Grammaire Progressive du français, Niveau avancé" by Michèle BOULARES
Publisher: Clé International
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
OptionalRPL005: Recognised Prior Learning
RPL005: Recognised Prior Learning
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
OptionalRPL010: Recognised Prior Learning
RPL010: Recognised Prior Learning
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
This course is delivered fully online.
The ability to converse and write in French will be a clear advantage to those who work, or wish to work, in areas such as education, business, law, tourism and information technology, to name but a few.
Knowledge of French will offer enhanced employment opportunities both in Ireland and abroad.
Dr. Máire-Áine Ní Mháinnín
Discipline of French
Discipline of French
Classes will run on Monday evenings for second-year students and Tuesday evenings for first-year students (6:30-9:30pm). The classes will run as live online classes.
All modules in the Diploma are individually assessed. The assessment for each module takes the form of essays, written assignments or presentations during the semester and a written examination at the end of the semester.
Dr. Máire-Áine Ní Mháinnín
Discipline of French
Tel: 091 493397
E-mail: mary.mannion@universityofgalway.ie
If you do not meet the standard entry criteria for this course, you may gain entry through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. Applicants may also be able to earn module exemptions based on their prior learning. Find out more here.
Accreditations & Awards
I was delighted to find out that University of Galway offered an Evening Diploma in French as that suited me very well as regards work hours. I wanted to brush up on my school-level French, as France is our regular holiday destination, and who knows, we might even retire there! The course was very well structured, and the lecturers were excellent. I'd highly recommend this course to others interested in improving and further developing their French skills.
John Breslin
Graduate
Meet our Employers
Entry Requirements and Fees
The Diploma in French is not suitable for complete Beginners as it is offered at two levels: intermediate and advanced. Entry requirements for part-time students can be found here (i.e. age, english language requirements etc.).
The English language requirement does not apply to this language diploma.
Applications are made online via the University of Galway Applications System. This course is listed under Adult Learning Undergraduate\Postgraduate, CPD, Micro-credentials & Summer School Applications.
Please visit our How to Apply page for Application tips and Supporting Documents information.
Fees for Academic Year 2026/27
| Course Type | Year | EU Tuition | Student Contribution | Non-EU Tuition | Levy | Total Fee | Total EU Fee | Total Non-EU Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UG Diploma | 1 | €1,050 | €1,550 | €35 | €1,085 | €1,585 |
A fee scholarship of up to 30% may be available for students who wish to upskill for the purposes of re-employment. For more information download the 2025_26 Fees Scholarship Form.
Why University of Galway?
World renowned research led university nestled in the vibrant heart of Galway city on Ireland's scenic West Coast.
Centre for Adult Learning & Professional Development
Education Building, Nuns' Island, Galway
Downloads
Meet Our Alumni
Introduction
This course aims to enable students with an interest in French to acquire a high level of written and oral communication skills in the language through a variety of practical language exercises.
