This course is part of the Intermediate French: Work, Leisure and Culture ExpertTrack
Intermediate French: Jobs and Training
Discover the world of work and training in French-speaking Europe and gain the skills to talk about them.

Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
4 hours100% online
How it worksIncluded in an ExpertTrack
Course 1 of 3
Intermediate French: Jobs and Training
Explore the language to understand working life in France and Belgium
On this four-week course, you’ll discover the world of work and training in France and Belgium. You’ll develop your language skills to talk about different jobs and workplaces, and to be able to describe the qualities and skills required for different roles. You’ll also gain insights into qualifications and training.
You’ll hear from six people from France and Belgium who will introduce themselves and talk about their professional activities and responsibilities. They’ll describe their working life and you’ll learn about their educational backgrounds and professional training. By listening to their accounts, you’ll further your knowledge of the French language, gaining the confidence to describe your own work and education background.
Learn about modern day developments that are impacting work in France and French-speaking countries
You’ll reflect on how technology and other social developments are changing the ways in which we work. You’ll hear from a télétravailleuse (home worker) talking about the advantages and drawbacks of working at a distance, allowing you to learn about working life in greater depth.
Gain French language skills to effectively interact in a professional context
Finally, you will focus on the language used to interact with colleagues in professional settings. You’ll learn how to appropriately seek and give advice and permission, and how to make suggestions and give instructions.
By the end of the course, you’ll not only have a deepened understanding of what it is like to work and train in France and Belgium, you’ll also have a wider vocabulary and skills that can help you in a range of French-speaking contexts outside of employment.
What topics will you cover?
- Jobs and professional roles
- Professional training and qualifications
- Different ways of working
- Communicating at work and in different professional contexts
Prove you're job ready
Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.
- Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
- Complete each course and pass assessments.
- Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
- Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
- Make your career dreams a reality.
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Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Develop your ability to understand written and spoken French
- Increase your ability to communicate in French through speech and writing
- Consolidate your understanding of areas of French grammar
- Improve your receptive and productive French vocabulary
- Explore and broaden your knowledge of employment and training in France and Belgium
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for those who are at Level A2, working towards Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Learners should feel confident to use the language in most situations likely to arise while travelling in French-speaking countries.
The OU’s language ExpertTracks are designed to help you progress with each one you study.
Learners would benefit from having completed Intermediate French: La Francophonie (People, Places and Events) before taking this ExpertTrack.
Who will you learn with?
Dr. Bill Alder is an Associate Lecturer in French at The Open University and has contributed to numerous French language modules. He has a special interest in French-language crime fiction.
Who developed the course?
Established
1969Location
Milton Keynes, UKWorld ranking
Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020
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Learning on FutureLearn
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- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
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- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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