HKU SPACE

European Languages

French

Student Handbook

Autumn 2022

HKU SPACE
College of Humanities and Law
European Languages
11/F Fortress Tower
250 King’s Road
North Point, Hong Kong

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 Contents

1. Introduction

2. Programme Management & Contact Details

3. Programme Structure

4. Key Information for Students on Certificate Programmes

4.1. Programme Structure, Curriculum and Mode of Delivery
4.2. Exams
4.2.1. Absence from an exam
4.3. Grading System and Certificates
4.3.1. Letter of Continuation
4.3.2. Notification of Result
4.3.3. Certificate
4.4 Continuing Education Fund (CEF) & Exams
4.4.1. Which external exam should I take to qualify for my refund?

5. Further Information
5.1. Deferral of Studies
5.2. Requests for transfer to another class
5.3 Discount when repeating a course
5.4. Change of personal particulars
5.5. Confidentiality of personal contact information
5.6. HKU SPACE Alumni
5.7. Lifelong Learner Card
5.8. Quality Assurance
5.9. School Discipline
5.10. Academic Freedom and Civility in the Classroom

Appendix 1. Course Overview – French

Appendix 2. Adverse Weather Arrangements
Appendix 3. Course Dates (Holidays, Exam Dates and Final Course End Dates)

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 PROGRESSION PATH ON FRENCH COURSES

Award-bearing Courses Short Courses

(French)
Certificate in French (Advanced) Advanced French Language Practice 1 & 2
OR
(120-hr)  (60-hr each)

Certificate in French (Upper Intermediate)

(120-hr) 

Certificate in French (Intermediate)

(120-hr) 

Certificate in French
(Introductory) Part 2
Certificate in (60-hr)  ^
French
(Introductory)
(120-hr)  Certificate in French
(Introductory) Part 1
Beginners’ French 2 / French for Travel 2 (30-hr each)
(60-hr)  ^
each)

Beginners’ French / French for Travel (30-hr each)

Route 1 Route 2
Route 3

This course has been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund.

 This course is recognised under the Qualification Framework (QF Level [2]).

 CEF is only available for students who have successfully completed both Part 1 & Part 2 of ‘Certificate (Introductory) (Part 1& Part 2)’within 2 years

^ ‘Certificate (Introductory) (Part 1)’ by itself does not have any QF level.
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 1. Introduction

HKU SPACE is the oldest (established 1957) and biggest provider of adult and
continuing education in Hong Kong. HKU SPACE has been a leading provider of high
quality European language courses for many years. We offer courses in: French, Spanish,
Italian, German, Portuguese, Greek, Russian, Latin, Polish and Arabic. These range from
120-hour Certificate courses at four different levels to short courses that, for instance,
focus on language for complete beginners, for travel and short cultural ‘taster’
workshops. Courses run from absolute beginner to advanced levels and take place at a
variety of times (mornings, evenings and weekends) at our well-equipped learning
centres in Hong Kong and Kowloon.

We would like to welcome you to our French courses and wish you success. This
handbook aims to answer the most frequently asked questions and to provide you with
key information you need. If you still have questions after reading it, please contact us
or ask your teacher.

2. Programme Management

Programme Management
Mr. Wallace MA
(Programme Director)
Tel: 3762 0899; email: wallace.ma@hkuspace.hku.hk

Programme Administration Staff

Spanish & Portuguese (Certificate courses):
Ms Joyce NG
Tel: 29755764; email: joyce.ng@hkuspace.hku.hk

French (Certificate courses):

Ms Christy CHUNG
Tel: 29755695; email: christy.mfc.chung@hkuspace.hku.hk

Italian & German (Certificate courses), Short courses :

Ms Almond CHAN
Tel: 29755681; email: almond.chan@hkuspace.hku.hk

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3. Programme Structure

We regularly offer the following Certificate Programmes in French at four different

levels twice a year (September & March).
 Certificate in French (Introductory) (120 hours) (also available as Part 1 and
Part 2, which are considered as two modules within the same course) (60 hours
each) (A1 level CEFR) QF2
 Certificate in French (Intermediate) (120 hours) (A2 level CEFR) QF2
 Certificate in French (Upper Intermediate) (120 hours) (B1 level CEFR) QF2
 Certificate in French (Advanced) (120 hours) (B1.2 level CEFR) QF2

In addition, we offer the following short courses with several intakes per year:
 French for Travel / French for Travel 2 (30 hours each)
 Beginners’ French / Beginners’ French 2 (30 hours each)
 Advanced French Language Practice / Advanced French Language Practice 2
(60 hours each)

Finally, we also offer one day short workshop:

 Introducing French Food and Drink (1 day, 6 hours)

* For a complete summary of course content, please refer to Appendix 1.

*The terms ‘module’ and ‘course’ are used interchangeably. For the ‘Student and Course Record
System’ (SCORE), only the term ‘course’ will be used.

4. Key Information for Students on Certificate Programmes

4.1 Programme Structure, Curriculum and Mode of Delivery

The delivery mode of all our Certificate Programmes is part-time. Registered on the
Qualifications Register as QF Level 2, each of the programmes is worth 30 credits and
the medium of instruction is French supplemented with a little English where necessary
for explanations.

All 120-hour programmes include 40 sessions (20 for 60-hour modules), each of which
lasts 3 hours. The programmes are based upon internationally recognized textbooks
appropriate to your level.

At the beginning of the course, your teacher will give you information about the
curriculum:
 Number of units of the adopted textbook
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  Language points
 Selected topics

The mode of delivery is face to face. However, if the circumstances affect us (e.g., due
to an outbreak of Covid-19), we might have to switch to online teaching. The Programme
Team will inform students of the arrangements.

4.2. Exams

In order to assess your progress, you will be given some tests during your course, written
and oral. Your teacher will give you the dates of these tests in the first few weeks of your
course. You must obtain a PASS as average result if you wish to satisfy the course
requirements for performance and qualify for CEF funding and to be promoted to the
next level. You need to demonstrate a commitment to your studies by taking part in
exercises and activities, and by meeting certain assessment criteria. Whether you pass
the performance or not will be based on your marks on the following:

- Participation throughout the course. This will be a mark given by your teacher, based
on the effort you have put into speaking French, on the accuracy and fluency of your
usage of the language, on the consistency of you doing your homework, etc.
- Two progress tests and one final written exam. These will test your understanding of
what you have studied during the course (for the 60-hour module there will be only
one final written exam and no progress test).
- A final oral test. The format of this will be announced by your teacher. It may be a
discussion, a role play or a presentation, or a combination of these.

120-hour courses 60-hour courses

Date % Date %
2 Progress tests Throughout the course 25% each Participation Throughout the course 25%
Participation Throughout the course 12.5% Final written Week 18 50%
Final written Week 38 25% Final oral Week 19 25%
Final oral Week 39 12.5%

The overall pass mark is 50%.

4.2.1. Absence from an exam

If you are unable to attend the final written exam due to health problems or work trip,
please inform the HKU SPACE staff in charge of your language before the exam. You
will need to provide some form of documentation such as a valid medical certificate or

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a letter from your employer. No other reasons besides health or work will be accepted to
re-schedule your final exams.

You will then have two options: you can retake the exam the week after, during the oral
examinations (you need to inform both your teacher and the HKU SPACE staff well in
advance); or we can arrange a date for you to come and take the exam in our office
during working hours. An administration fee of HK$250 will be charged. Please contact
us for more details.

For arranging a missing oral exam, please discuss with your teacher, as he/she will try
to accommodate you as far as possible during the last class, provided that you have an
official work or doctor’s note.

For arranging a missing progress test, please discuss with your teacher, as he/she will try
to accommodate you as far as possible during the class right after the marked one,
provided that you have an official work or doctor’s official note.

Please understand that dates for tests/exams are announced well in advance so that you
can note them down in your schedule and ensure that you can be present. We cannot
guarantee the same test/exam conditions if it has to be rescheduled on an individual basis.

4.3 Grading System and Certificates

Two factors are taken into account to decide whether you have successfully passed the
course and can promote to the next level: your attendance and your performance.

Your attendance. You need to attend at least 70% of the classes, which is 28 out of 40
sessions (or 14 out of 20 sessions for the 60 hour courses). Please note that 70%
attendance is also a strict requirement of the Continuing Education Fund (CEF). We are
required to keep an accurate record of your attendance for inspection by the Office of
Continuing Education (OCEF).

If you have difficulty in attending class for whatever reason, please let your teacher know
about this. If you do arrive late, please ensure during the break that your teacher has
marked you present. If you arrive very late (during the second half of the class) you run
the risk of being marked absent on the register for that week.

Your performance. You need to demonstrate a commitment to your studies by taking

part in exercises and activities, and by meeting certain assessment criteria.

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When you successfully complete a Certificate course (120-hour course), or when you
complete Certificate (Introductory) (Part 2) (60-hour module following Part 1), you will
receive the following:
- Letter of Continuation
- Notification of Result
- Certificate

4.3.1 Letter of Continuation

This letter contains basic and clear information about two important matters: CEF
reimbursement and next course enrolment. This letter is very important and it is sent to
your correspondent address as soon as possible after the end of the course, so you have
sufficient time to enrol for the next course.

4.3.2 Notification of Result

This letter informs you of your final grades, basing on the HKU SPACE Grading System.
In your Notification of Result you will see your letter grade.
Letter Grade Grade
Mark Grade Descriptors
Grade Point Definition

A+ 94-100 4.30 Work that demonstrates a superior understanding of the subject

matter, being able to develop in-depth solutions to related
A 87-93 4.00 Excellent problems, and with evidence of an extensive knowledge base,
original thinking, the capacity to make critical evaluations, and
A- 80-86 3.70 very good organization and presentation.

B+ 77-79 3.30 Work that demonstrates a good understanding of the subject

matter, being able to develop solutions to related problems, and
B 74-76 3.00 Good with evidence of critical capacity and accuracy, analytical
ability, a reasonable understanding of issues and clear
B- 70-73 2.70 organization and presentation.

C+ 67-69 2.30
Work that demonstrates a sufficient understanding of the
subject matter, being able to develop rudimentary solutions to
C 64-66 2.00 Satisfactory
related problems and with evidence of some attempts at
analytical thinking, and average presentation and accuracy.
C- 60-63 1.70

D+ 56-59 1.30 Work that demonstrates a basic familiarity with the subject
Pass matter, and with evidence of marginal accuracy, acceptable
D 50-55 1.00 presentation and organization.

Work showing little evidence of familiarity with the subject

F 0-49 0.00 Fail
matter, with poor accuracy, presentation and/or organization.

You will receive it together with your Certificate (see point 4.3.3).

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NOTE:
1) A Letter of Continuation will be issued to students who successfully complete the 60-hour Certificate
in French (Introductory) (Part 1) course for progress to Part 2.
2) On completion of Part 2, students will be given a Notification of Result.
3) For students who successfully complete both parts of the programme (120 hours), the GPA will be the
average of Part 1 and Part 2.
4) For students with exemption from Part 1, the attendance and GPA will be that of Part 2 only.

4.3.3 Certificate
The Certificate is an award or recognition issued to students who have passed the course.
Those who failed do not have a Certificate. You need to have also attended at least 70%
of your classes to be awarded a Certificate.
This document indicates whether students have passed the course with Distinction or
Merit.
Classification of Awards CGPA Requirement

Distinction CGPA ≥ 3.50

Merit CGPA ≥ 2.70
Pass CGPA ≥ 1.00

* Students will have to complete both (Introductory, Part 1) and (Introductory, Part 2) within 24 months.

4.4 Continuing Education Fund (CEF) & Exams

The French Certificate programmes are registered with the Office of the Continuing
Education Fund (OCEF) as courses that qualify for students to receive a refund of 80%
(first HK$10,000) or 60% (remaining HK$15,000) of course and examination fees.

However, in order for you to qualify for this refund, please note that you must:
➢ pass the course, scoring at least 50% of the marks available on performance
➢ attend 70% of the classes
➢ take a recognised French language examination
➢ submit your claims within one year upon the successful completion of the
course

You can make a claim on both the SPACE course fee and the exam fee for the external
test.

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Please note:
➢ You will only pass the performance if you meet all the assessment requirements.
Unless you get a letter saying that you have passed the course and met the
performance and attendance criteria outlined above, you will not qualify for a
refund of the course fee, regardless of how much effort you have put into the
course. This condition is laid down by the OCEF not by SPACE.

4.4.1. Which external exam can I take to qualify for my refund?

We offer external examination sessions twice a year, around two months after the end of
your course. You may register with us to take this exam around the end of the course.

This external examination for CEF refund is the Test de Connaissance du Francais
(TCF). It uses everyday situations (similar to the topics covered in your books) and
includes three sections: listening, use of language and reading comprehension. It lasts
90 minutes. The purpose of the exam is not to stand as a final examination of any course
you have done with us. Our courses are not exam preparation courses and the test does
not require any specific study. TCF is a proficiency test that is designed to test your level
of ability in French on a sliding scale. The TCF positions you on a 6-level scale (A1-C2)
established by the Council of Europe. A1 represents a relatively low level and C2 is an
extremely advanced level. In order to place students on this scale, the exam has to include
vocabulary and grammar that is beyond the ability of low-level users of the target
language. This is the only way that it can discriminate between candidates of different
abilities.

For the majority of our students, both TCF will appear difficult. However, do remember
that on a scale, you are only expected to perform at quite a low level to qualify for CEF
reimbursement.

Further information on the content of this test and sample exercises from tests is
available online. You will receive information on the testing sessions around the end of
the course.

The levels you are required to achieve to qualify for CEF reimbursement are:
➢ Certificate in French (Introductory)*: TCF level A1
➢ Certificate in French (Intermediate): TCF level A1
➢ Certificate in French (Upper Intermediate): TCF level A1
➢ Certificate in French (Advanced): TCF level A2
*For the Certificate in French (Introductory), you need to have completed both Part 1
and Part 2 (or the 120-hour course) to qualify.

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5. Further Information

5.1 Deferral of Studies

In most circumstances, we are not able to offer refunds or transfers. In exceptional
circumstances, for example due to illness or a posting abroad, upon submission of
official documentation immediately (together with the application letter), we may allow
a student to defer his/her studies to the following term. The final decision on this rests
with the Programme Director.
Requests for deferral cannot be considered if they are received several weeks or months
after the student’s absence.

5.2 Requests for transfer to another class

If you are a new student who took the placement interview before the course and were
placed at a higher level (Certificate in French (Intermediate) or above) and you feel that
the level you have registered in is not the correct one for you, we ask you to contact us
within the first three weeks of the course. Such requests will be dealt with on an
individual basis and we will do our best to ensure that you are in the level which will
most benefit you, subject to there being space in another course.

5.3 Discount when repeating a course

If students wish to retake the same award-bearing course for the second time on the next
immediate intake, we would allow, with prior approval from the Programme Team, a
discount of 40% on the course fee. Please contact us for more information.

5.4 Change of personal particulars

It is the responsibility of students to inform the School should there be changes to their
personal particulars via one of the following means:-

a) write to the programme team

b) submit a completed ‘Application Form for Personal Date Amendment’ available at
Learning Centres or the School’s website
c) update via the Learner Portal (only for changes in correspondence addresses, phone
numbers and personal email addresses)

All changes of name, HKID number, date of birth, place of birth, nationality or gender
should be supported by legal documentary evidence.

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5.5 Confidentiality of personal contact information
Some of our teachers like to be able to send information directly to their students by
email, e.g. learning materials or urgent course matters. This is done on a purely voluntary
basis and it is absolutely fine if you prefer to opt out of such group communication and
choose not to reveal your contact details to the teacher or other students.

We do sometimes send students information, by email or by post, about other European

language courses at SPACE, as well as about events related to the language they are
studying. If you do not wish to receive such information, please contact the subject staff
for your language and we will ensure that you do not receive this.

5.6. HKU SPACE Alumni

The HKU SPACE Alumni is dedicated to the building of active and lifelong relationships
amongst alumni members, and between the School and the alumni, whilst contributing
to the promotion of adult education and lifestyle enrichment for the whole community.
For membership services and benefits, please refer to the Alumni website:
https://alumni.hkuspace.hku.hk.

5.7 Lifelong Learner Card

The School issues Lifelong Learner Card to all registered students. The Card serves a
dual purpose as a student card and an alumni membership card. It is an important
identification document and must be carried at all times during student activities and the
school’s centres.

5.8 Quality Assurance

1) A rigorous QA process helps to ensure that academic and professional standards of
the programme are maintained and enhanced.
2) A number of formal and informal mechanisms will be adopted to solicit feedback from
students. These include student feedback and teacher evaluations. There is provision for
student representation on the Academic Committee.
3) At the end of each course, the Learning Experience Survey (LES) form is used to
collect comments, suggestions and quantitative assessment of various aspects of the
course such as the curriculum, pedagogic design, teaching quality as well as the overall
effectiveness of the programme.
4) The Academic Committee will normally meet once a year and is responsible for the
academic governance of the programme. It consists of teachers, external professionals
as well as student representatives. The terms of reference include ensuring the
maintenance of proper academic standards, reviewing the operation of the programme
and making recommendations to the HKU Board for Continuing Education and Lifelong
Learning. A student representative is invited to attend the meeting.
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5) Final assessment of students is determined by the Board of Examiners which consists
of both internal and external examiners of the University. The Board of Examiners has
the right to scrutinize all course materials, assignments and issues relevant to students’
performance. ALL MARKS ARE PROVISIONAL, SUBJECT TO THE FINAL
DECISION OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS.

5.9 School Discipline

➢ No eating or drinking is allowed in any of our classrooms.
➢ Out of respect for the instructors and other students, mobile phones and pagers
should be turned off during class.
➢ Smoking is prohibited in all HKU SPACE Learning Centers (except in areas
designated by the University).
➢ No audio / video recording is allowed, except with the permission of the
instructors or programme leaders.
➢ The Director may exclude from class any student whose behavior disturbs the
rest of the class or who does not abide by any requirements laid down by HKU
SPACE.

5.10. Academic Freedom and Civility in the Classroom

1. As part of the University of Hong Kong, the School follows University Policies
on these issues. In this context HKU SPACE adopts University guidelines as below:

Academic Freedom

2. HKU is an academic institution. Our campus environment places a high

premium on core values that define Universities the world over. Academic freedom
and freedom of speech are core values that the University seeks to fully protect. The
definition of academic freedom can be found here
(https://www.hku.hk/about/policies_reports/acad_freedom.html).

Civility on Campus and in the Classroom

3. Equally important values are honesty, integrity, decency, dignity, tolerance,

respect, civility and trust. Our adherence to these values naturally means that we reject
forms of behavior that are intolerant, abusive, bullying and violent.

4. In terms of promoting civility on the campus (which includes in this context all
HKU SPACE campuses and learning centres), we are committed to ensuring that
transgression of the basic notions of civility listed in paragraph 3 above is not permitted.

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5. The first priority of the School is to provide a high quality, safe and stimulating
learning environment for all our students, full-time and part-time. I ask therefore that
all students and teachers uphold this convention whilst in class so that all may give their
uninterrupted attention to learning and thus ensure the smooth operation of the classroom
environment so as to meet the learning objectives. Education is for all in a spirit of
toleration and respect for each other.

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Appendix 1 Course Overview – French

Objectives and Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs)

Certificate Programmes in French

The School adopts an outcome based approach to learning, meaning that we focus and
organize our programmes and instructional efforts around clearly defined outcomes
which we want our students to demonstrate when they leave school.

Certificate in French (Introductory) (120 hours)

*equivalent to A1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
This is also available in two 60-hour modules (Part 1 and Part 2). The course is for
students with no previous knowledge of the language. It includes a balance of all four
skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing), as well as practice of key grammar
points, vocabulary and pronunciation.

Programme objectives:
The course aims to
a. Introduce students to simple phrases and sentences used in basic conversation,
e.g.: introducing oneself, saying hello, reserving a hotel room, ordering food and drink,
talking about your job, finding your way around town, talking about likes and dislikes
and holidays.
b. Give students the basic grammar and vocabulary needed for simple
communication, e.g. present tense forms, adjectives, articles, basic modal verbs, and
prepositions of place.
c. Provide students with the techniques needed to listen with confidence to
simplified, everyday dialogues when spoken clearly and slowly.
d. Introduce students to some areas of French culture such as food and drink,
greetings, festivals and places.
e. Enable students to extract information from very simple written texts such as
forms, menus and short, simplified articles. Also to write short simple postcards and fill
in information on a form, e.g. hotel registration form.

PILOs:
a. in speaking, to use simple words and phrases to handle basic situations when
travelling .
b. in writing, to produce very short simple texts, e.g. a postcard or form filling.
c. in listening, to demonstrate an understanding of the key ideas from very simple

15
conversations when the language is slow and clear.
d. in reading, to extract key idea from menus, forms and short, simplified texts on
everyday topics.

Certificate in French (Intermediate) (120 hours)

*equivalent to A2 level in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
This course consolidates language already learned in the first year, building on grammar
and vocabulary and increasing students’ confidence in their communicative ability.
Topics range from the everyday to simple contrasts between life in Hong Kong and that
in the target culture.

Programme objectives:
This course aims to
a. Increase students’ confidence to deal with everyday spoken situations, e.g.
talking about your home, talking about free time activities (e.g. food, sport and travel),
discussing work and jobs and making simple phone conversations.
b. Consolidate and build on the basic grammar learned in the first year, adding
imperatives, past tenses, comparative and superlatives and simple future.
c. Enable students to write a short simple letter or email and to complete a simple
curriculum vitae in a given format. Also to take down simple notes on a telephone
conversation.
d. Build students’ confidence while listening so that they can demonstrate an
understanding of the main point in short simple messages and everyday conversations,
e.g. when listening to information about family, the local area and hobbies or when
listening to basic information on the telephone.
e. Introduce students to some important areas of French culture, e.g. culinary
specialities, regions of France, housing, industry (e.g. tourism and fashion).

PILOs:
a. in speaking, to handle common everyday situations such as talking about
personal interests, home and work, when the language is clear and slow; also, to make
simple phone conversations.
b. in writing, to write a short simple letter or email and to take down notes on a
basic telephone conversation.
c. in listening, to follow the most important information from short and simple
messages / everyday conversation and basic telephone conversations.
d. in reading, to find specific, information in simple texts such as information
leaflets, recipes, timetables and advertisements. Also to follow the main ideas in
simplified articles, e.g. magazine-type and newspapers.

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Certificate in French (Upper Intermediate) (120 hours)
*equivalent to B1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
This course continues to build upon the language already acquired in the first two years,
adding key grammar and vocabulary and practicing this in simple discussions, role-plays
and group work, so that students can talk with confidence about the past, present and
future.

Programme objectives:
This course aims to
a. Improve students’ spoken fluency while expressing opinions and plans on a
range of topics: e.g. free time activities, sport, culture, art, food and drink, holidays etc.)
b. Consolidate and deepen students’ grammatical accuracy while speaking and
writing.
c. Enable students to write a variety of simple texts on topics of personal interest.
d. Build students’ confidence while listening so that they can demonstrate an
understanding of and respond to challenging situations on the phone and in daily
conversation.
e. Increase students’ knowledge of the French culture so that they can compare it
with their own and deal more easily with everyday situations while in France.

PILOs:
a. in speaking, to describe experiences and events, express opinion, future plans
and deal with most situations when travelling.
b. in writing, to produce simple texts on topics that are familiar or of personal
interest.
c. in listening, to demonstrate an understanding of the main ideas when discussing
familiar matters and making phone calls.
d. in reading, to extract key ideas from texts on everyday topics.

Certificate in French (Advanced) (120 hours)

*equivalent to B1.2 level in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
This course enables students to practise their speaking skills, expressing opinions on a
range of topics such as culture, sport, food and drink, current affairs, local events,
holidays and the world today. They are also given plenty of opportunities to review
grammar already acquired and learn some new, more complex structures appropriate to
the level. They will read a variety of texts on relevant topics and comment on these in
speaking and writing. Finally, they will improve their listening skills, for example, by
participating in discussions, phone calls, listening to songs and recordings of native
speakers.

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Programme objectives:
This course aims to
a. Listen to and understand authentic listening tasks.
b. Read and react to authentic texts.
c. Speak appropriately in a range of everyday situations.
d. Write sufficiently clearly to convey their meaning in routine situations.

PILOs:
a. in speaking, to express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in a limited way
or offer advice within a known area.
b. in writing, to write letters or make notes on familiar or predictable matters.
c. in listening, to understand instructions or public announcements.
d. in reading, to understand routine information and articles, and the general
meaning of non-routine information within a familiar area.

Short Courses in French

The following short non-award bearing courses range from 6 to 60 hours in length.

French for Travel / French for Travel 2 (30 hours each)

This course, presented in two parts, is for complete beginners who want to learn the
basics of the language fast in a fun and practical way. It’s also a good way to get a taste
of the language before committing to a longer course or before going away on a trip to
the country. The emphasis is on speaking and listening, and not on grammar. Some of
the topics include introductions, numbers, telling the time, asking for the way, eating out,
shopping, booking a hotel room and dealing with communication problems. The
language of instruction is French with a little English where necessary.

Beginners’ French / Beginners’ French 2 (30 hours each)

This is a complete beginners’ course and it aims to give participants the chance to learn
the basics of the language in a fun and relaxed fashion. The focus is on daily conversation,
and the basics of vocabulary and grammar. There is a supportive classroom atmosphere,
so that participants feel happy to experiment with new language. There is a selection of
general interest topics and the language of instruction is French with a little English
where necessary for explanation.

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Advanced French Language Practice / Advanced French Language Practice 2 (60 hours
each)
This is an opportunity for advanced users of French to develop their writing and speaking
skills through newspaper and magazine articles, works of literature, films and television
programmes. The focus is on speaking and practice is in small groups and pair work.

Workshop in French

Introducing French Food and Drink (6 hours)

In this short weekend seminars, participants learn more about the language and culture
of France through its food and drink. They will see the connections between food and
drink and the nation’s people, traditions and geography. They will also learn some
interesting facts about the cuisine as well as learning some basic expressions needed for
eating out in a restaurant. The language of instruction will be English.

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Appendix 2

Adverse Weather Arrangements

For classes and examinations that have not yet started:

If Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above, "Extreme Conditions" or a Black Rainstorm Warning is in force during
the following time periods, or when an announcement is made by the Hong Kong Observatory that the Tropical
Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above is likely to be issued during the following time periods, classes/examinations will
be cancelled as indicated:
6:00am-10:59am Classes/examinations that start before 2:00pm will be cancelled.

11:00am-2:59pm Classes/examinations that start between 2:00pm and 6:00pm will be

cancelled.
3:00pm and onwards Classes/examinations that start from 6:00pm will be cancelled.

For classes and examinations‡ that have already started

Classes Examinations
When the Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or Immediately Continue until the end of that
above is in force suspended examination session unless
otherwise announced by the
School#

When an announcement is made by the Continue until Continue until the end of that
Hong Kong Observatory that the Tropical Tropical Cyclone examination session unless
Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above is likely to Signal No. 8 is otherwise announced by the
be issued within the next two hours officially issued, School */#
then classes will
be suspended
immediately */#
When Black Rainstorm Signal is in force Continue# Continue#

*It will be the discretion of students, particularly those living in outlying islands or remoter areas, to leave earlier
# all outdoor activities will be suspended
‡
Postponed examinations will be re-scheduled. Students will be informed of the details as soon as possible.

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 Appendix 3

Course Dates (Holidays, Exam Dates and Final Course End Dates)

For your ease of planning, the following table summarises holidays, exam dates and projected final course
end dates for the Academic Year 2022-2023. Please make a careful note of these dates. In exceptional
circumstances, classes may have to be cancelled due to unexpected circumstances such as bad weather.
We will, however, endeavour to hold all classes as planned and to complete the course as planned in this
table.

Autumn 2022

120-hour Courses

Week 38* Week 39*

Projected
Holiday (no class on (Date for (Date for
Start date final course
these dates) Written Oral Exam)
end date
Exam)
18-Sep-2022 Sun 25/12/2022, 1/1, 22/1,
2-Jul-2023 9-Jul-2023 16-Jul-2023
9/4/2023

19-Sep-2022 Mon 26/12/2022, 2/1, 23/1,

10-Jul-2023 17-Jul-2023 24-Jul-2023
10/4, 1/5/2023

20-Sep-2022 Tue 4/10, 27/12/2022,

20-Jun-2023 27-Jun-2023 4-Jul-2023
24/1/2023

21-Sep-2022 Wed 25/1, 5/4/2023 21-Jun-2023 28-Jun-2023 5-Jul-2023

22-Sep-2022 Thu 22/12/2022, 22/6/2023 15-Jun-2023 29-Jun-2023 6-Jul-2023

23-Sep-2022 Fri 7/4, 26/5/2023 23-Jun-2023 30-Jun-2023 7-Jul-2023

24-Sep-2022 Sat 1/10, 24/12, 31/12/2022,

15-Jul-2023 22-Jul-2023 29-Jul-2023
21/1, 8/4, 1/7/2023

*Test and Exam dates will be confirmed by teachers in class.

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