- Reading comprehension: The students should be able to read in an autonomous way and to understand in detail long and complex texts concerned with contemporary problems (concrete or abstract) or topics related to their fields and in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or points of view. C1- level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- Listening comprehension
Individual : The students should be able to understand in detail extended speech or conferences that contain complex lines of argument as regards form and content provided the topic is familiar; They should be able to understand in detail most radio or TV programmes provided the topic is familiar.
Interactive : The students should be able to understand the main point of discussions and debates on topics which are familiar (even when relationships between ideas are only implied and not signalled explicitly); They should be able to understand in detail what is said in standard speech on matters regularly encountered in everyday situations. Upper B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- Spoken Production
Individual : The students should be able to present their opinions and defend them convincingly by providing relevant explanations and arguments; They should be able to explain a point of view giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Interactive : The students should be able to interact with native speakers in conversations or discussions in standard speech on a subject of general interest without imposing strain on either party. Lower B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- Writing: The students should be able to write short reports, summaries or letters containing factual information. Lower B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- Code
Vocabulary : Broadening of the students range of general and legal English (+/-3500 words).
Grammar : Development of complex grammatical structures in context (past, conditionals, passive, auxiliaries and gerund).
Pronunciation: Revision of the pronunciation of basic words (3000 words). The code will be used for speaking purposes mainly but attention will also be paid to accuracy.
- Culture: For all aptitudes mentioned above : raising Anglo-Saxon cultural awareness.
Main themes
The main subjects approached to reach the aimed objective are of legal nature for reading comprehension, listening comprehension, spoken production, writing, the code and culture.
Other more general subjects will be approached for spoken production, the code and culture.
Content and teaching methods
Proficiency in general and academic vocabulary should be aimed at. (« Multitest »program on the ILV CD-ROM »). The vocabulary is either presented in context or according to semantic fields.
Revision in context of the main grammar points and practice by means of written and oral exercises.
The receptive skills will be trained and developed by means of reading comprehension and listening comprehension strategies where the students are expected to guess the meaning of words or anticipate ideas in a text. These techniques will be applied to audiotape/ video passages or texts which are of general interest and legally-oriented (cf. 1. course-notes: oral and written texts accompanied by reading or listening comprehension exercises and 2. (self-tuition) esl-lab.com internet site listening comprehension exercises).
Revision of the pronunciation of the most frequently used words («Répétiteur » program on the ILV CD-ROM) .
Oral and written production will be practiced by means of exercises with clearly defined instructions (non-interactive exercises to train the use of language structures and to use the vocabulary) and free exercises ( interactive exercises such as role-plays, little debates, the production of short texts ...).
The students are expected to make several interactive presentations during classroom hours after receiving tips on this skill (on a topic of general interest, on a legal topic chosen by the student or on a text included in the course-notes) and they are expected to organise speaking activities linked to their presentations.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
Prerequisites:
This course is an upper-intermediate course and the prerequisites are: 1) being able to use basic grammar and vocabulary in a productive way, 2) having a good command of the language skills that are mentioned for the intermediate level ANGL 1821.
A placement test is likely to be organised at the beginning of the year to define which students can attend this course.
Assessment
- Continuous assessment : Classroom presentations; Grammar tests will be organised on a regular basis; Preparation, presence and classroom participation will be taken into account.
- Exemption test in December on vocabulary (Multitest -ILV CD-Rom) and reading comprehension (esl-lab internet site)
- Written exam (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, grammar and vocabulary questions)
- Oral exam (non-interactive production and interactive production)
Course material
- Course-notes : "English for Lawyers upper-intermediate level "
- Audio- and video tapes and DVDs used in the language laboratories (and available at the Self-Tuition Centre)
- Listening comprehension exercises (internet site)
- ILV CD-rom or ILV website (« Multitest » and « le Répétiteur » can be downloaded)
References
- Course-notes : "English for Lawyers upper-intermediate level "
- Audio- and video tapes and DVDs used in the language laboratories (and available at the Self-Tuition Centre) references to be found in the introduction of the syllabus
- Listening comprehension exercises (internet site) : www.esl-lab.com
- « Multitest » and « le Répétiteur »: www.ilv.ucl.ac.be
Training staff:
Groups of max. 25 students
The teacher can be contacted during his/her office-hours or by e-mail
Personal help with language problems at the Self-Tuition Centre or the Multimedia Centre.