Before starting your degree program, we ask you to take a placement test. More detailed information is available on the website of the Department of French at the Language Centre.

First year of study

The following modules must be completed:

• Basic module: French linguistics (1st subject semester)
• Basic module: French language practice 1 (1st subject semester)
• Basic module: French literary studies (2nd subject semester)
• Basic module: French language practice 2 (2nd subject semester)
• Basic module: Teaching Romance languages (French) (1st-3rd subject semesters)
• Intermediate module: French linguistics 1 (2nd-3rd subject semesters)

The following teaching units must be attended during the first subject semester, depending on the result of the language placement test:

• Basic seminar: French linguistics (offered in the winter semester only)
• Listening comprehension (Compréhension orale)
• Grammar and vocabulary I (Parcours grammatical et lexical I) (offered in the winter semester only)
• Grammar and vocabulary II (Parcours grammatical et lexical II)

The following teaching units must be attended during the second subject semester:

• Basic seminar: French literary studies (offered in the summer semester only)
• (Grammar and vocabulary II (Parcours grammatical et lexical II) if Grammar and vocabulary I was completed in the winter semester)
• Parcours grammatical III (after completing Parcours grammatical et lexical II)
• Phonétique pratique
• Phonetics and phonology in French (offered in summer semester only)
• Introductory seminar to teaching Romance languages (2nd or 3rd subject semester)

Second year of study

The following modules must be completed:

• Intermediate module: French linguistics 1 (2nd-3rd subject semesters)
• Intermediate module: French linguistics 2 (3rd-4th subject semesters)
• Intermediate module: French literary and cultural studies 1 (3rd-4th subject semester)
• Intermediate module: French literary and cultural studies 2 (4th subject semester)
• French language practice 3 (3rd-4th subject semester)
• French language practice 4 (4th subject semester)
• Basic module: Teaching Romance languages (French) (1st-3rd subject semesters)

The following teaching units must be attended during the third and fourth subject semesters:

• Lecture: French linguistics (3rd subject semester)
• Basic seminar: French linguistics (3rd subject semester)
• Intermediate seminar: French linguistics (4th subject semester, offered during summer semester only)
• Intermediate seminar: French literary studies (3rd subject semester, offered during winter semester only)
• Basic seminar: French literary studies (3rd and 4th subject semesters)
• Introduction à la civilisation (3rd subject semester)
• Traduction version (3rd subject semester)
• Communication orale et civilisation (4th subject semester)
• Expression écrite I (4th subject semester)
• Grammaire appliquée (4th subject semester)
• Basic seminar French teaching methodology (3rd or 4th subject semester)

Third and fourth year of study

The following modules must be completed:

• French language practice 5 (5th subject semester)
• French language practice 6 (6th subject semester)
• French language practice 7 (7th to 8th subject semesters)
• French cultural studies (7th to 9th subject semesters, offered during winter semester only)
• French linguistics, literary and cultural studies for teaching secondary education (Gymnasium) 1 (7th to 9th subject semesters)
• French linguistics, literary and cultural studies for teaching secondary education (Gymnasium) 2 (7th to 9th subject semesters)

If you choose to write your written assignment in the subject French:

• Final module written assignment (6th-8th subject semesters)

The topic for the written assignment should be assigned by an authorized university lecturer at the latest one year before registration for the First State Examination, but at the earliest in the 5th semester.

In practice, it may be advisable to first attend one or both of the main seminars from the modules French linguistics, literary and cultural studies for teaching French in secondary education (Gymnasium) 1 and 2 in the 5th or 6th semester, since participation in an advanced seminar and writing an advanced seminar paper in particular is an important preliminary exercise before the more extensive final thesis. Subject advisors therefore recommend that students first attend the two advanced seminars in the third year of study before completing the final thesis.

Even if the final thesis module is not taken until after the 6th semester, FAU will award the academic degree Bachelor of Arts (teaching degree for Gymnasium or Bachelor of Education for Realschule) upon application if proof is submitted that the required module examinations have been passed.

Basic knowledge of French at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is desirable (equivalent to three successive years at school). Students with a lower level of prior knowledge can take intensive courses at the FAU Language Centre (in the winter semester during which they start the degree program as well as during the following lecture free period).

Teaching French in secondary education at Gymnasium or Realschule.

Provided certain prerequisites are met pursuant to LAPO, students in all teaching degree programs (Lehramt) can attain the academic degree of “Bachelor” on application, usually after 6 semesters. The type of Bachelor degree awarded depends on the type of school they are studying for and the subjects chosen, if applicable. Further information is available on the Center for Teacher Education (ZfL) website.

Subject combinations:

• Realschule (secondary school)
• Gymnasium (grammar school)