English : reading comprehension
[ANGL1370]
[30h] 3 credits
This course is taught in the 2d semester.
Teacher(s): Henri November
Language: English
Level: First
Aims
After completion of the course, the students will have acquired the necessary skills to read the scientific texts
written in English in the field of computer sciences.
Course specifications
. Concerning reading comprehension, the students will be able to apply a range of reading techniques in order to :
- approach the texts in a systematic manner, e.g. so as to extract rapidly the most important information,
- differentiate between the different types of information (vital/subsidiary, general/specific, etc.) according to
their presentation within the text,
- recognise the structure of texts.
The main themes dealt with in the texts are closely related to the other subjects of SINF11: (e.g. Artificial
Intelligence). Another theme is of course, English.
. As regards grammar, the students will be able to :
- recognise and distinguish between the various verbal forms in order to determine their exact meaning,
- understand the modal verbs, especially when combined with infinitives,
- differentiate between the different functions of words (e.g. 'further' : adverb, adjective, verb),
- analyse the structure of nominal phrases
- use efficiently the grammars and other reference tools, including those on the Web.
. Regarding vocabulary, students will be able to :
- understand everyday general vocabulary,
- understand general academic and scientific vocabulary, as well as that pertaining to the different disciplines
of computer sciences,
- avoid the pitfalls linked to certain categories of words (e.g. false friends),
- make efficient use of dictionaries and other reference tools including those available online.
. Concerning pronunciation, students will be able to
- spell out the English and Greek alphabets
- use the English phonetic system
- pronounce and stress words correctly
. Concerning spoken English, students should be able to read aloud and clearly, reports, verbal accounts and other
scientific or technical texts.
Main themes
The teaching methods used will encourage the active and interactive participation of the students. The first step is the preparation of activities which will be dealt with more fully in the following lesson: students receive precise instructions on how to work either individually or in groups, on a series of problems which will enable them to discover, for instance, certain lexical or grammatical aspects of texts. Afterwards, during the lesson, the students are expected to comment on the different problems they encountered, and the conclusions they came to, or else to apply what they have prepared, for instance, in role plays. These activities lead to various forms of interactivity and cooperation.
Content and teaching methods
- Year of studies : SINF 11 (BAC1)
- Number of hours, rhythm, terms: 30h, 2h/week, 1st term
- Aim and contents : reading comprehension of texts in the field of computer sciences, study of specific vocabulary,
reading aloud (stress and pronunciation)
- Evaluation: exemption test, continuous assessment, written exams.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
It is essential that students possess basic skills and knowledge of English.
Assessment
. Continuous assessment covers all the activities organised during the course. English being the language used during
lessons, the students will also be judged on their ability to use the language to carry out the activities in class and on
their overall participation. Continuous assessment accounts for 1/3 of the total mark.
. The examination, on the other hand, will only test whether the objectives concerning reading comprehension,
including vocabulary and grammar, have been attained.
. The level of the examination and the exemption test at the beginning of the year correspond to Level B2 (reading
comprehension) of the 'Common European language reference framework' of the Council of Europe standards.
. B2 (reading comprehension): Understanding aided by broad active reading vocabulary, difficulty with less common
phrases and idioms and with terminology. Can understand the essential meaning of correspondence in own field,
and specialised articles outside own field (with dictionary). Can obtain information, ideas and opinions from highly
specialised sources within own field. Can locate relevant details in long texts. Range and types of text only a minor
limitation - can read different types of text at different speeds and in different ways according to purpose and type.
Dictionary required for more specialised or unfamiliar texts. http://culture2.coe.int/portfolio//documents/0521803136txt.pdf
Teacher: H. November
Language: English