Studies abroad
All students are strongly encouraged to participate in the Language Study Abroad Program in France or the francophone world.
The range of French Studies Study Abroad units allows students to undertake various forms of study abroad ranging from a 6 point summer semester unit to a semester of full-time study in France. In planning to study abroad, students should bear in mind the Arts Faculty rules governing the structure of the BA degree, major and minor sequences within the degree and the study abroad component within the degree and the major sequence. Those rules fix the maximum number of points of study abroad in the BA at 48 and the maximum number of points of study abroad within a major at 24.
Students who want to undertake French studies overseas must also seek approval from the Monash Abroad office, which assesses and provides assistance to all Monash students undertaking overseas study. This office will arrange your enrolment overseas and provides travel grants and other financial assistance, as well as support while you are away.
Full details can be found at http://www.monash.edu.au/students/studyabroad/.
- Semester/year-long study abroad in France
- Semester study abroad in France for Honours students
- Summer Semester Abroad French Studies
- French Government Assistantships
- Who to Contact for Further Information
Semester/year-long study abroad in France
The French Studies Program currently has exchange agreements with Université de Paris III , Université Jean-Moulin (Lyon III), .Institut des Sciences Politiques, Toulouse and the Institut des Sciences Politiques, Paris (often referred to as Sciences Po). Please contact the study abroad coordinator for further details.
All students are required to have completed at least one full time year at Monash and to have achieved an average of 60% in their results so far to participate in the semester length exchange program. They should also have completed a minimum of a first year sequence in French Studies. These requirements must be met at the time your exchange commences, not necessarily the time you apply.
At second year level study abroad exchange units available are:
ATS2131 LCL Language study abroad 2A (6 points)
ATS2132 LCL Language study abroad 2B (6 points)
ATS2133 LCL Language study abroad 2C (12 points)
ATS2134 LCL Language study abroad 2D (12points)
At third year level, study abroadexchange units are:
ATS3131 LCL Language study abroad 3A (6 points)
ATS3132 LCL Language study abroad 3B (6 points)
ATS3133 LCL Language study abroad 3C (12 points)
ATS3134 LCL Language study abroad 3D (12 points)
Universit Paris 3 French studies advanced 3 or 4 [or French studies advanced 2 (HD)]
Universit Jean-Moulin (Lyon 3) French studies advanced 2
These minimum levels are provided as general guidelines only. Students should contact the Study Abroad coordinator in order to select the most suitable exchange university for them and to choose units of study.
Units in English are available at Lyon 3 through the Self Program.
Students enrolling in a unit for credit within the Self Program are requested to enrol concurrently in the Self Program French as a Foreign language unit (Fle), the combination of both being equivalent to a 6pt Language study abroad exchange unit. Stusents at a level above French proficient 1 will not be allowed to enrol in the Self program.Students should note that, with the exception of students beginning their French Studies at level 1 who may complete 8 compulsory units, all students completing a major ARE REQUIRED to complete 2 option units. Although Study Abroad units may be counted as option units, students considering Honours should bear in mind the limitations this might impose on their choice of Honours project.
Assessment
Students will be required to satisfy the assessment requirements of the host institution for the unit(s) in which they are enrolled there. Assessment results from the host institution will be returned by the student together with copies of all non-examination assessed work to the Study Abroad coordinator. The French Studies Study Abroad Committee will then determine a final mark.
Grants
Grants helping students to take the French Studies Study Abroad units are available through Monash Abroad.
How to Apply
Students should obtain a Monash Abroad application form from the Monash Abroad office in the Campus Centre at Clayton or online . Complete this form, including a detailed overseas study plan, and take it to the Study Abroad coordinator. He or she can also give you advice about your choice of overseas units. You then need to take it to the Faculty of Arts Exchange Adviser for a final sign-off by the Faculty before lodging it with the Monash Abroad office.
Semester study abroad in France for Honours students
Students can take two12-point study abroad units, ATS4090 and ATS4091 , concurrently in the first semester of their fourth year French Studies Honours program. Students cannot enroll in these units for the second semester of their Honours program, as they are required to be at Monash in order work under supervision on their Honours thesis.
Honours students are also eligible for Monash Abroad travel grants.
Summer Semester Abroad French Studies - ATS2131/3131 (6 points) or ATS2133/3133 (12 points)
Coordinator:
chris.watkin@monash.edu
These units are aimed specifically at students who have begun their studies at Monash University at language levels 1 - 4. Students who began at language level 5 or above will not be permitted to take Summer Semester Abroad French Studies units and are advised to enroll in a semester-length exchange program.
Eligible students may do up to 12 pts of Summer Semester Abroad study. ATS2131 (6pts) and ATS2133 (12pts) are available to students who have successfully completed a minimum of a first year sequence in French Studies. ATS3131 (6pts) and ATS3133 (12pts) are available to students who have successfully completed a minor sequence in French Studies.
Please note that no more than 24 points of study abroad or exchange units (including Summer Semester Abroad units) may be counted towards a major in French Studies.
Students should be aware that, although they may need to enrol in these units and make travel arrangements before second semester results are published, the first year sequence and minor sequence referred to above are pre-requisites for these units. Students who fail a second semester French Studies unit and, in so doing, fail to meet the minimum requirement for the second or for third year summer semester units will not receive credit for their summer course. Students are advised to discuss their second semester progress with their compulsory unit coordinator if they have any concerns regarding their progress and possible result.
Students enrolled in these units are required to attend the CAVILAM language school in Vichy (see below for description of CAVILAM) and complete at least 110 hours of French language tuition to earn 6 points of Summer Semester Abroad French Studies or at least 220 hours for 12 pts. According to the course(s) chosen at the CAVILAM 110 hours may be completed in 6-7 weeks and 220 hours in 11-12 weeks.
It is the responsibility of students enrolled in Summer Semester French Studies units to ensure that they are placed in and complete their study in a language course at a level at or above the language level they have reached at Monash. If they are placed at a level below that indicated in the table below they should request to be moved or should seek a written explanation for their placement at that level. In order to receive credit, this document should then be submitted to the Summer Semester coordinator along with the course certificate which must indicate contact hours and the CECR/CEFR level at which the course was taught. Students should note that courses in France or Francophone countries based on the CECR levels do not cover exactly the same syllabus as the French Studies compulsory units. The CECR levels are much broader than the Monash French Studies levels.
| Monash French Studies language level |
Indicative equivalent CECR level |
| French introductory 2 | A1 |
| French intermediate 2 | A2 |
Summer semester credit will only be awarded where the Summer Semester coordinator is satisfied that the student has completed a CAVILAM language course at the appropriate level as indicated above.
Enrolling in summer semester French Studies units
To enroll in one of these units students need to complete the following steps:
- Read the information below, look at the CAVILAM web site and develop a provisional study plan including when and for how long they want to study.
- Discuss their provisional study plan with the French Studies Summer Semester coordinator who may also check on their current academic record in French Studies. Please note that students who fail a second semester French Studies unit and, in so doing, fail to meet the minimum requirements for their summer semester unit will not receive credit for their summer course.
- Once the study plan has been approved, complete an International Study Program application form (French in-country Language Program, only available from the French Studies Summer Semester coordinator). This form must be returned to the coordinator for approval and submission to Monash Abroad. Further details of travel grants can be found on the Monash Abroad website.
- Complete an Arts Enrolment Amendment form (available from the Arts Coursework Office on the first floor of the Menzies building), get it approved by the French Studies Summer Semester coordinator and then hand it in to the Arts Coursework Office
Please note that the French Studies Program does not take any responsibility for reserving places at the CAVILAM or making travel and accommodation arrangements.
Fees and results
Because students pay fees to the CAVILAM, students who enroll in Summer Semester Abroad French Studies Units do not pay fees to Monash. It is important to note that the final grade that appears on the academic record is SFR (Satisfactory) or 0NN i.e. pass or fail. This does not compromise the undergraduate degree as these units may be counted towards a French Studies minor or major. However it may be a problem for any student who needs high grades in order to subsequently enroll in Honours, enroll in other higher degree study or transfer to another degree.
Le CAVILAM
Le CAVILAM in Vichy is one of the best French language schools in France. It offers thorough all-round language courses that allow Monash students to reinforce and develop the language skills and knowledge they have acquired at Monash. The school offers a range of accommodation options. French Studies strongly recommends that students consider a home-stay for some if not all of their stay in Vichy in order to benefit from as much exposure to the language and culture as possible.
Back at Monash
On their return, to obtain SFR, students must provide the Summer Semester coordinator with proof of attendance, course duration, the CECR level at which the course was taught, and a pass result on the language school's official letterhead (a certificat d'assiduité).
Please note: Students continuing with French Studies after Summer Semester must sit a placement test on their return and will be placed at the appropriate language level. Depending on the number of hours studied in France, the result obtained and the overall duration of the stay in France, it may be possible for a student to jump one or two language levels. However, this happens only rarely and can only be determined by the French Studies Program once the student has returned and their language level has been assessed.
For further information contact Chris Watkin, the Summer School coordinator.
French Government Assistantships
Third and fourth year students may also apply for a French Government Assistantship. This paid position enables students to spend an academic year in France or in New Caledonia giving conversation classes in a school. An assistantship may be combined with Study Abroad. Students who are interested in this combination should first decide at which French exchange university they wish to complete Study Abroad and should document this on the Assistantship application form.
Further information can be obtained from the French Embassy's web site where applications forms can also be downloaded.
Students who want to undertake an Assistantship separately and not as part of an exchange program must also apply to Monash Abroad, using the application form available from the Summer Semester Coordinator. Travel grants are available for eligible students. More details can be found on the Monash Abroad website.
Who to Contact for Further Information
French Study Abroad Coordinator, French Summer Semester Abroad Coordinator
Dr Chris Watkin
Room: W518, Clayton Campus
Phone: +61 3 990 52214
Email: chris.watkin@monash.edu