L’exposé en Langue Étrangére Un cours d'appoint aux cours d'interprétation1

In translation schools, mastery of foreign languages is an entrance prerequisite and a basic criterion for graduation. But, in practice, the degree of mastery may differ depending upon the languages concerned since “distant” languages are more difficult to master than “close” ones. This could be a factor contributing to failure at the end of the program for some students. Although, strictly speaking, teaching the language itself does not have to be part of the curriculum, language enhancement remains necessary for all students, especially in the context of a “distant” language. While training has to concentrate on the acquisition of translation skills per se, additional courses aimed at language enhancement may be beneficial as well. There is a course currently offered at the Graduate School of Interpretation and Translation at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Korea, focusing on students’ oral presentations of selected topics in French as foreign language, and placing emphasis on spontaneous oral expression and delivery. This paper gives a description of the course and of resulting observations.