English : reading comprehension of scientific texts
[ANGL1871]
[20h] 2 credits
This course is taught in the 2d semester.
Teacher(s): Ahmed Adrioueche, Henri November(coord.), Marc Piwnik(coord.), Nevin Serbest, Anne-Julie Toubeau
Language: English
Level: First
Aims
Main themes
- 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.
. 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 FSA 11,
- 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 oral expression, the students will also be able :
- to use everyday language needed for group work (e.g. to express agreement or disagreement) and basic
technical vocabulary (e.g. to describe objects or express measurements).
- to give a brief well-structured but not too detailed account of their project employing basic presentation
techniques.
Content and teaching methods
- Year of studies : FSA BAC1 (Faculty of applied sciences)
- Number of hours, rhythm, terms: 20h, 2h/week, 2nd term
- Aim and contents : reading comprehension of texts in the field of applied sciences, study of specific vocabulary,
reading aloud (stress and pronunciation), oral presentations and writing an abstract
- Evaluation: exemption test, continuous assessment, written exams.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
The teaching methods used will encourage the active and interactive participation of the students. The first step, which is crucial, 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.
Teachers:
A. Adrioueche, M. Henriet, J. Moreman, H. November (coordinator), M. Piwnik (coordinator, A. Verhaegen
Language:
English
Pre-requisites
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