The training program for the undergraduate student in French Studies at the University of Cádiz focuses on promoting, enhancing and developing to the maximum the knowledge and skills, both transversal and specific, necessary for the future professional of French Studies to comprehensively address the performance of its functions efficiently.

The competences that the undergraduate student must acquire are described in point 03 of this report. According to them, students who wish to pursue these studies must possess attitudes, skills and training that allow them to integrate and manage the knowledge and skills that will be acquired during the training process.

In order to take this Degree, the students must meet the prerequisites indicated in the current legislation.

Aptitude (s) and attitude (s):

This Degree is recommended to people with critical and analytical skills and an open spirit towards the knowledge of culture in the French language. This Degree is suitable for people with interests in modern languages ​​(French as the main language and a second modern language) as well as for the literature, history and culture of the French-speaking countries. Regardless of the interest in modern languages, the future graduate in French Studies should also show a certain inclination for the study of French-speaking cultures, of great vitality in recent years and revealing the cultural diversity of the contemporary world.

The students of French Studies should show the following attitudes:

• Interest in the study of their own subjects, in particular those related to the French language, literature in the French language, linguistics and history and culture of the French-speaking countries.
• Interest in reading as a means of personal and professional enrichment.
• Disposition to dialogue, plurality and tolerance towards different cultural manifestations.
• Predisposition to carry out initiatives, studies and other actions as a complement and alternative to the programmed teachings.
• Willingness to carry out studies in other universities and in other countries in order to perfect the knowledge acquired.
• Eagerness to overcome communication barriers accepting errors as part of the communication process.
• Willingness to accept the uncertainty of learning a language, using all the resources available to maintain communication.
• Willingness to group work and critical exchange of ideas.
• Positive evaluation of independent study, self-discipline and self-assessment through the adoption of an active and participatory role in the learning process.

Basic knowledge:

Linguistics::

• Students must be familiar with the principles and units of grammatical description through the subjects studied in previous years of Spanish and French.
• They must know the grammar of the French language and must be able to apply their knowledge in accordance with the provisions of the RD for access to university studies.
• It is advisable to be able to recognize the symbols of the international phonetic alphabet for the use of dictionaries and to identify the peculiarities of the pronunciation of the French language.

Literary::

• Basic literary knowledge related to literature in the French language: authors, periods, works and genres, and its relationship with Spanish literature and other literatures.

Cultural::

• Basic knowledge of some facts, figures and fundamental institutions that have shaped the history of French-speaking countries, and their more known originated cultural manifestations, such as cinema, music and fine arts.

Compensating actions for deficiencies:

The level of Bachillerato, in spite of the estimate of the Ministry of Education, is far from level B1 foreseen. In addition, there is heterogeneity of levels and skills of students in the classroom. All this hinders the teaching success. Since the National Agency for the Evaluation of Quality and Accreditation (Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación ANECA) contemplates the design and implementation of compensatory actions for possible deficiencies during the first courses of the Degree, the Degree in French Studies considers, as a measure to minimize the possible deficiencies, the establishment of a Level Test at the beginning of the first course, to identify the knowledge level of students in French language.

But success in French Studies (as in any other) depends not only on the initial abilities, but also on the work during the Degree and above all on their motivation for study and, above all, for being a trained and responsible professional. In this sense, important values are the concern for learning, curiosity, perseverance and discipline at work, the capacity for decision and self-criticism, the willingness to establish interpersonal relationships and work as a team, among others.

Annually the Entry Profile is measured in new students, and the Grade Coordinator makes an assessment of the results and improvement proposals that may be convenient that are taken to the Faculty Board for approval if appropriate. Procedure P02 – Pre-university orientation process and entry profile of the General Quality Assurance System of the UCA and the Degree itself.

All the information related to access and requirements, including the corresponding procedures for each of the situations, the pre-registration, selection and registration procedures are available on the University website, with the Faculty web page directly linked to the central services indicated.

1.3. Dissemination channels that will be used to inform potential students about the Degree and about the registration process

The Entry Profile is the basic document used in the activities programmed within the Plan of new students recruitment and enrollment.

For many years, the University of Cádiz, the General Directorate of Access conducts an annual orientation campaign aimed at students who will begin their university studies. From the General Directorate of Access, meetings are organized in the Faculties attended by the students who will take Selectividad exams and those coming from Vocational Training.This dissemination campaign aims to inform future university students about the entry profiles, the study plans and the career opportunities of the UCA Degrees. They are also informed and advised on the pre-registration and registration process. All this is within the Plan of new students recruitment and enrollment. Also within this Plan, information and advice tables are organized by Degrees students and teachers. The entire Plan is organized through the process P02 – Pre-university orientation procedure and entry profile included in the General Quality Assurance System of the UCA and the Degree itself.

In addition to this personal contact, the students tutors are provided with a CD with all the information and it is on the UCA website for the students consultation.

The dissemination and information channels on the Degree and on the registration process are mainly made through virtual means through the different links on the UCA website, as well as through specific written and unipersonal documentation delivered by the General Directorate of Access (Dirección General de Acceso DGA) to each future student.

Regarding the specific dissemination actions that will be used by the Degree to inform students about the Degree and the enrollment process, our Faculty receives secondary students visits. During these visits, students are shown all the Faculty’s dependencies in order to get a global vision: our Degrees, classrooms, study rooms, seminars, computer rooms, cafeteria and other dependencies. In addition to this contact with the Faculty, the tutors are provided with a CD with all the information and it is made public on the UCA website for the students consultation. In addition, potential students have a forum on the Faculty website where they can discuss the difficulties that may arise.