Skip to main content

French courses for University of Bath students and staff

Find out about our courses and how to enrol on the right one for you.

The word 'bonjour' chalked on a rustic-looking door in a living room with some chalk hearts.
Develop your French language and intercultural skills

We offer various courses based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) leading to the globally acknowledged DELF qualifications A1 – B2. We offer four levels of accreditation starting from Beginners (A1) and leading up to Upper Intermediate (B2).

Exams take place at DELF examination centres at the end of the academic year.

Courses

Our language courses aim to develop your linguistic skills and intercultural competence and enhance your employment opportunities. You can find out more on the general information page.

The following French courses are available for students and staff at the University of Bath:

Semester 1

  • Complete Beginner
  • Elementary Part 1
  • Lower Intermediate Part 1
  • Intermediate Part 1
  • Upper Intermediate Part 1
  • French Advanced
  • French for Business Complete Beginner

Semester 2

  • Post Beginner
  • Elementary Part 2
  • Lower Intermediate Part 2
  • Intermediate Part 2
  • Upper Intermediate Part 2
  • French for Business Post Beginner
  • DELF Preparation Workshops

Placement test

If you have never learned French with us before, please take this placement test so that you know which course is suitable for you.

Please also refer to the course descriptions below.

Course descriptions

Complete Beginner (Semester 1)

Working towards CEFR level A1.1. This course is suitable if you have never studied French before. At the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • understand frequently used expressions and take part in basic conversations
  • read simple texts and write short paragraphs with prompts
  • have some knowledge of the culture of the countries where French is spoken

Post Beginner (Semester 2)

Working towards CEFR level A1.2. Enrol on this course if you have completed the Complete Beginner course with us, or if you can:

  • engage in basic conversations, and exchange information such as age, name, nationality, occupation, etc
  • read simple texts and write short paragraphs on familiar topics such as daily activities

Elementary Part 1 (Semester 1)

Working towards CEFR level A1.3. Enrol on this course if you have completed the Post Beginner course with us, or if you can:

  • understand basic classroom instructions and main points in short, clearly spoken messages
  • engage in conversations on familiar topics
  • write about familiar topics in simple linked sentences

Elementary Part 2 (Semester 2)

Working towards CEFR level A1.4. Enrol on this course if you have completed Elementary Part 1 with us, or if you can:

  • engage in everyday conversations on topics such as the weather, hobbies and daily routines
  • express opinions, preferences and simple facts
  • write short coherent texts on familiar topics

Lower Intermediate Part 1 (Semester 1)

Working towards CEFR level A2.1. Enrol on this course if you have completed Elementary Part 2 with us, or if you have a GCSE or equivalent, or if you can:

  • engage in conversations on a range of familiar topics, recognising the difference between present and past events
  • understand short recordings on familiar topics delivered in relatively slow-paced standard language
  • write short texts about daily routines, simple events and opinions

Lower Intermediate Part 2 (Semester 2)

Working towards CEFR level A2.2. Enrol on this course if you have completed Lower Intermediate Part 1 with us, or if you have a GCSE or equivalent, or if you can:

  • interact with a degree of fluency and accuracy in common social situations
  • understand texts on a number of non-abstract topics and give considered opinions
  • write longer texts on a variety of topics, including past events

Intermediate Part 1 (Semester 1)

Working towards CEFR level B1.1. Enrol on this course if you have completed Lower Intermediate Part 2 with us, or if you have an AS level or equivalent, or if you can:

  • interact in familiar situations with a degree of flexibility and fluency
  • understand the gist and some detail of broadcasted materials on topics of general interest
  • write structured texts on a variety of topics, including experience and future plans

Intermediate Part 2 (Semester 2)

Working towards CEFR level B1.2. Enrol on this course if you have completed Intermediate Part 1 with us, or if you have an AS level or equivalent, or if you can:

  • describe experiences with accuracy, talk about dreams, ambitions, and hypothetical situations
  • understand the gist of simple news reports
  • write structured texts on a variety of topics, including experience and future plans

Upper Intermediate Part 1 (Semester 1)

Working towards CEFR level B2.1. Enrol on this course if you have completed Intermediate Part 2 with us, or if you have an A level or equivalent, or if you can:

  • communicate in various situations, including some unpredictable and abstract topics, express opinions about current issues and formulate hypothesis
  • understand and comment on simple news reports
  • write about experiences and hypothetical situations with a degree of confidence

Upper Intermediate Part 2 (Semester 2)

Working towards CEFR level B2.2. Enrol on this course if you have completed Upper Intermediate Part 1 with us, or if you have an A level or equivalent, or if you can:

  • communicate clearly on a variety of topics, deliver an unscripted presentation with reasonable fluency
  • understand and comment on most broadcast news and current affairs programmes with some support
  • write about abstract topics and hypothetical situations with a good level of accuracy

French Advanced (Semester 1)

Level B2.2 / C1. This is an advanced-level discussion course designed to enhance your fluency and confidence in using French if you already have a level B2 or above. The focus will be on improving your speaking and listening skills, allowing you to communicate more effectively and spontaneously in a variety of contexts.

On the course you will also:

  • deepen your understanding of contemporary French society and culture
  • expand your vocabulary and grasp of complex grammatical structures
  • engage in discussions on current events, literature, and various other topics relevant to French-speaking communities.

French for Business

This is a beginner level course designed to develop your competence and fluency in using French in a range of business and employment contexts.

On the course you will also:

  • further your understanding of French society and culture
  • develop your intercultural competence
  • improve your employability skills

A commitment to independent study outside of class is important.

DELF Exam preparatory workshops (A1/A2/B1/B2) (Semester 2)

A set of 5 preparatory workshops is offered to all students who opt to sit for the DELF qualifications. These are held in Semester 2 and run alongside the respective courses.

Course dates and times

All courses consist of 10 weekly interactive sessions delivered on our Claverton Down campus in person (IPL = In-person learning) .

Enrolments for Semester 1 are now closed. The Semester 2 timetable will be published in late December/early January. If you wish to be notified as soon as enrolments open, please complete the Expression of interest form.

Student experience

"The French course at Bath has been a truly enjoyable and rewarding experience. Here, I got to learn not only about the French language, but also about the French culture. The teacher and classmates are wonderfully friendly as well, and everyone is encouraged to speak. It's an unmissable opportunity that I highly recommend." (Yun Ling, MSc Computer Science)

In addition to our courses, there are opportunities to develop your language and intercultural skills informally with other students through Peer Assisted Learning, Virtual Exchange and the Language Café.

Outside the classroom, we also share cultural events organised by French associations in the UK such as the Institut Français and Alliance Française with our students. These events offer additional opportunities for you to develop your knowledge of French language and culture.

Enquiries

If you have any questions, please contact us.


On this page