• The Open University

Intermediate French: Jobs and Training

Discover the world of work and training in French-speaking Europe and gain the skills to talk about them.

Mature French baker holding tablet giving instructions to younger female colleague
  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Included in an ExpertTrack

    Course 1 of 3
  • Get full ExpertTrack access

    $39/monthFind out more

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?

The Open University

As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.

  • Established

    1969
  • Location

    Milton Keynes, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

About this ExpertTrack

Improve your French language skills and explore life in France, Belgium, and Switzerland, focusing on work and leisure time.

Start learning today - free 7-day trial

After your free trial you can:

  • Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
  • Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
  • Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
  • Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
  • Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
  • Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
  • Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • 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

Join a global classroom

  • 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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