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Learning French introduces you not only to a new language but to a culture and society as well. Languages can bring people together and French is widely used for communicating in many parts of the world, including our Pacific neighbours New Caledonia and French Polynesia. People who know French can share in the rich traditions and history of France, a country that continues to fascinate the rest of the world, be it on the rugby field, in the arts or in its culinary reputation. The ability to speak French can help with travel, business and political interactions around the world.
This introductory course is designed to enable learners to communicate using basic French in everyday situations. Topics covered include: greetings, talking about yourself and family, your likes and opinions, daily life in the French-speaking world, where you live, shopping, eating and your typical day and holidays. Ākonga build a repertoire of vocabulary, grammar and formulaic expressions to give them mastery of reading, speaking, writing and listening to elementary French.
As well as language development, the course introduces learners to intercultural aspects of learning French, requiring them to reflect on their own culture and attitudes in relation to what they learn about other cultural values and practices. An appreciation of cultural differences and similarities enables learners to competently negotiate their way through situations such as how to address people and how to behave appropriately in a variety of contexts.
The course consists of 16 online interactive modules, each of which may take 8–10 hours to complete (a total of 130–160 hours). Ākonga typically cover the course in two years, but may complete it more rapidly.
No prior learning needed.