Innovative directions in language teaching. Example of a training workshop on "methodology of FOS (French with Specific Objectives)" provided by the Francophone Regional Centre for Central and Eastern Europe (CREFECO)

Abstract

The theoretical and practical study cases made in the context of the training workshop “Methodology of FOS" held in Buzau, between the 13th -17th of May 2013, richly contributed to the trade practices, skills and knowledge, but also to a strengthening cooperation between teachers of French language. The training highlighted the important role of the Francophone in linguistic and cultural opening for students and teachers.In the first part of the workshop, the process of conception and development of the pedagogical courses in French for Specific Purposes (FOS) and for Academic Purposes (FOU) were explained. After a brief discussion on the terminology of FOS and other forms of learning French like the French used in different fields of activity (for example, the French as professional language, etc.), we have identified the steps to be followed in the creation of a course of FOS: the demand and analysis needs data bases, based on the realities of the field, the types of data (the existing ones, the solicited and the reconstructed data), the technical aspects, the limitations and the conception and development of the activities. This has been highlighted in the second part of our workshop using the example of a practical study case, created during the formation in Buzau, the French for medical purpose: "Knowing to represent NGOs in the field of medical humanitarian actions.” The presentation and the analysis of the training of FOS / FOU in each partner institution revealed a significant common element in skills and content. This similarity is a solid foundation for achieving a goal, the harmonization of curricula for identical or near specializations. The exchange regarding teaching materials and classroom practices on FOS took place naturally in the schedule of the workshop, especially because we consider elaborating a course book of FOS (with a part of FOU) for the use of students.