FREN20004 French Translation
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Not running in 2026.
- No final exam: all coursework
Is FREN20004 hard?
FREN20004: Easier. Not running in 2026, so it isn't on the lists. Makes it easier: Reviewers say it’s manageable (6 reviews), No final exam.
What you learn
Translating French into English, in theory and practice: weekly method seminars and workshops on news, technical and literary texts.
After it you can
- Compare French and English style
- Translate different kinds of French text
- Explain and justify your translation choices
What you need first
FREN10001 or FREN20015 or FREN10003 or FREN20017 or FREN20018 or FREN10006 or FREN20001 or FREN30003 or FREN10007 or FREN20002 or FREN30004 or FREN10008 or FREN20019 or FREN30001 or FREN10009 or FREN20023 or FREN30022
- FREN10001 French 3
- FREN20015 French 3
- FREN10003 French 4
- FREN20017 French 4
- FREN20018 Intensive French 3 and 4
- FREN10006 French 5
- FREN20001 French 5
- FREN30003 French 5
- FREN10007 French 6
- FREN20002 French 6
- FREN30004 French 6
- FREN10008 French 7
- FREN20019 French 7
- FREN30001 French 7
- FREN10009 French 8
- FREN20023 French 8
- FREN30022 French 8
Can’t be taken together with
How it’s assessed
Tests 60%, Projects 40%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 6 students on StudentVIP (2016–2022)
- Reviewers from 2017 to 2022 saw it as one of the easier French subjects to score well in, since all tests translate from French into English; 2021 class averages were around 80.
- Lectures were widely seen as of little use apart from guest talks by working translators. The two-hour tutorials of hands-on translation with quick feedback are where the learning happens, though they can be tiring.
- Translation is harder than it sounds, and a 2019 reviewer struggled on the first test. Learn which style your tutor prefers (literal or freer), and expect to pick up a lot of vocabulary. No speaking tasks.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate FREN20004
Quick answers
- When is FREN20004 offered?
- Not running in 2026.
- What do I need before taking FREN20004?
- Needs FREN10001 or FREN20015 or FREN10003 or FREN20017 or FREN20018 or FREN10006 or FREN20001 or FREN30003 or FREN10007 or FREN20002 or FREN30004 or FREN10008 or FREN20019 or FREN30001 or FREN10009 or FREN20023 or FREN30022.
- Does FREN20004 have a final exam?
- No, there is no final exam. Assessment: Tests 60%, Projects 40%.
- Is FREN20004 hard?
- From 6 student reviews on StudentVIP: Reviewers from 2017 to 2022 saw it as one of the easier French subjects to score well in, since all tests translate from French into English; 2021 class averages were around 80.
- What do students say about FREN20004?
- Reviewers from 2017 to 2022 saw it as one of the easier French subjects to score well in, since all tests translate from French into English; 2021 class averages were around 80. Lectures were widely seen as of little use apart from guest talks by working translators. The two-hour tutorials of hands-on translation with quick feedback are where the learning happens, though they can be tiring. Translation is harder than it sounds, and a 2019 reviewer struggled on the first test. Learn which style your tutor prefers (literal or freer), and expect to pick up a lot of vocabulary. No speaking tasks.
- Can I take FREN20004 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science.
- Can I rate FREN20004?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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