UCL - English - Interactive Communication Skills

[ANG1863]

[30h] 2 credits

Teacher(s): Timothy Byrne(coord.), Philippe Denis(coord.), Annick Sonck(coord.), Françoise Stas(coord.)

Language: English

Level: First

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

The aim of this course is to develop students' ability to use English (with a particular emphasis on speaking skills) in interactive communication situations similar to those they will encounter in their future professional lives.

Reading Comprehension:
- Students should be able to read autonomously and understand in detail factual texts and specialised articles related to their field of studies.
B2 level of the Common European Framework for Languages.

Listening Comprehension
Individual:
- Students should be able to understand conferences and extended speeches and follow complex
argumentation.
- Students should be able to exploit the main points of a document in a conversation.
Interactive:
- Students should be able to follow argumentation in an animated conversation between different interlocutors within the main socio-professional contexts.
B2 level of the Common European Framework for Languages.

Speaking Skills
Individual:
- Students should be able to present a complex topic in a clear
and methodical way with only occasional reference to their notes.
Interactive:
- Students should be able to communicate spontaneously and fluently to a degree that allows for normal interaction with a native-speaker interlocutor.
- Students should be able to communicate fluently and effectively in conversations on both social and professional levels.
- Student should be able to express, articulate and defend their opinions and should be able to react to and interact with their interlocutors in conversations on both social and professional levels.
Upper B2 level of the Common European Framework for Languages.

Writing Skills:
- Students should be able to write a clear e-mail message while covering all of the necessary points.
- Students should be able to write a letter of application and a CV.
- Students should be able to produce a short written presentation on a subject related to their field of studies.
- Students should be able to express and develop their point of view on a subject related to their field of studies.
Upper B1 level of the Common European Framework for Languages.

Code:
Enabling students to adequately master language functions, grammatical structures (simple and complex), vocabulary (general and specific), pronunciation and intonation in order to allow for fluent and spontaneous communication.

Culture:
Making students aware of the (inter-)cultural differences as expressed by different interlocutors of the English language (native and non-native speakers).

Main themes

Students will take part in activities that will allow them to use and develop their communication skills and mastery of the language (principally speaking skills) in situations such as:
- Socialising,
- Organisation of a trip/stay abroad,
- Presentation of a project,
- Participation in (leading of) a group project, a meeting,
- Negotiations, exchanging of ideas, building up an argument,
- Telephoning,
- Job interviews (including the writing of a CV and application letter),
- Writing e-mails.

Content and teaching methods

Students will be given a host of language aids (communication techniques, language functions, general and specialized vocabulary, grammatical points.) and resources (written documents, audiovisual supports, internet sites, ) before each activity thus enabling them to participate fully in each interactive communication situation. Feedback and remedial sessions will also be provided.
Detailed instructions concerning each activity will be given in advance.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Requirements:
Students should have followed the intermediate-level course ANG 1862 (BAC 2) or a course of a similar level.

Assessment:
- Continuous assessment (preparation for class, participation in all class activities, with particular emphasis on an oral presentation (minimum one presentation) given in class.
- Oral exam (Interactive and individual). Students will be asked to take part in one or more activities similar to those covered in class.

Teaching Supports:
Course notes

Pedagogical accompaniment / groups:
- Every teacher is available during his/her office-hour and can be contacted by e-mail.
- Groups of max 18 students

Other
The course BIOL13 is organised differently. It consists in a presentation training in the first term (15H) and in an individual guidance in the second term (15H) to help students prepare their scientific presentation called integrated seminar' (VETE 1300) in collaboration with the Science Professors.