English: reading and listening comprehension of scientific texts

LANG1861  2016-2017  Louvain-la-Neuve

English: reading and listening comprehension of scientific texts
2.0 credits
10.0 h
2q

Teacher(s)
Desterbecq Fanny ; Adrioueche Ahmed (coordinator) ; Sonck Annick ; Meirlaen Sandrine ;
Language
Anglais
Prerequisites

A2 level (in reading) of the « Common European Framework of References for Languages ».

Main themes

The studied themes are connected with biology, chemistry, geography, physics, mathematics, veterinary science, and various scientific issues.

Aims

At the end of the course, students should have developed the following skills:

  1. Reading comprehension: reading and understanding of authentic texts concerning general scientific topics and pertaining to the different disciplines within the Faculty of Science.

B1-B2 level of the « Common European Framework of References for Languages »

  1. Listening comprehension: listening and understanding of authentic television programmes concerning general scientific topics and pertaining to the different disciplines within the Faculty of Science.

B1 level of the « Common European Framework of References for Languages »

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.

Evaluation methods
  • Possibility to be exempted from classes (but not from the exam) for students scoring 10/20 at the placement test held during the first semester.
  • Written exam on reading and listening skills.
Teaching methods

In order to allow for advanced learning despite the limited number of class hours the course is organized as a 'flipped classroom':
 

  • -Extensive home-reading of texts, with assistance from a set of questions aimed at developing the students' reading strategies.
  • In class, checking of the student's reading strategies as well as analysis and comments.
  • Systematic approach of discourse cohesion and coherence, of recurrent grammatical structures and other lexical and structural difficulties impairing comprehension.
  • Listening comprehension: extensive and intensive work on understanding video programmes at home. Various comprehension exercises, such as questions, syntheses, diagrams etc. Questions and answers time as well as spot checks of understanding in class.
  • Consolidation of new material through exercises on e-learning platform Moodle.
Content
  • Reading comprehension: articles from the New Scientist, Scientific American etc. oriented towards the various diciplines of the Faculty of Science.
  • Listening comprehension : BBC and PBS science programmes on subjects pertaining to the students' specific fields of study.
     
Bibliography
  • Course notes
  • E-learning platform Moodle
Faculty or entity<


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Program title
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Bachelor in Biology
2
-

Bachelor in Physics
3
-

Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine
3
-

Bachelor in Chemistry
2
-

Bachelor in Geography : General
3
-

Bachelor in Mathematics
3
-

Master [120] in Environmental Science and Management
2
-