General Dutch for social and political sciences - Intermediate level part I

Teacher(s)

Demeulenaere Isabelle; Jonkers Sara (coordinator);

Language

Dutch

Prerequisites

Students must have attended a course corresponding (at least) to the A2 level of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages". An elementary course LNEER1130 is offered to the students in BAC 1, the objective of which is to prepare them for the intermediate course in BAC2.

Main themes

This teaching units deals with themes related to students' daily lives such as defined in level B1 of the Common European Framework for languages (family, hobbies, holidays, food, housing, ') and with some themes more specifically related to students' study field (consumption, social and political commitment, ').

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of the course, the student should be able: to understand the significant points of a direct and non-complex newspaper article to read and show a satisfactory level of understanding of factual texts about subjects of personal interest B1 + level for reading comprehension of the 'Common European Framework of references for Languages.' to understand the main points of TV-programmes about familiar subjects, provided that the language is pronounced clearly to follow a presentation of a certain length and complex argumentation provided that the subject-matter is familiar and the general plan is made explicit to follow a clearly articulated speech within an everyday conversation, occasionally having some words or expressions repeated   B1+ level for listening comprehension of the 'Common European Framework of references for Languages.' to easily carry out a direct and non-complex description of subjects related to his/her interests and everyday life to give short explanations and justifications for his/her opinions, plans and actions Interactively to take part in a conversation about a familiar subject, express his/her personal opinion and exchange information about that subject (holidays, family, hobbies') to answer a limited number of direct and simple questions B1 level for speaking skills of the 'Common European Framework of references for Languages.' to write short and simple notes in connection with specific needs to write a series of expressions and simple sentences linked by connectors such as 'and', 'but' and 'because' A2 level for writing skills of the 'Common European Framework of references for Languages.' Code Knowledge of basic vocabulary (2000 basic words) and structures of Dutch. Reinforcement and expansion of vocabulary. As far as speaking skills are concerned, the course focuses more on communicative skills than on correction. Culture For all the skills aforementioned: introduction to Flemish and Dutch culture

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”.

Content

This teaching unit consists of the learning of general Dutch of lower intermediate level. Learning takes place in context provided by authentic documents.  Basic vocabulary and structures are practiced, reinforced and expanded via written and oral exercises (role-plays, interviews, conversations in small groups of 2 or 4, ...).
This course aims at developing receptive and productive language skills. It prepares students for the following teaching unit (LNEER 1331), which focuses more and essentially on speaking skills.

Teaching methods

This teaching unit is consists mainly of class teaching, but partically of self-tuition (e-learning). The grammar is seen systematically in class by means of visual charts and exercises for practice.
The second teaching hour is dedicated to the exploitation of a theme by means of activities of receptive and productive language use. The aim of these activities is to strengthen the lexical knowledge, but mainly the language practice which integrates the grammatical strctures seen in class.  
It is structured around themes, each of which includes receptive and productive activities aimed at consolidating and broadening vocabulary and grammar.
Self tuition: vocabulary exercises and texts Moodle (platform e-learning ILV).
The students who have been identified as having a good level of Dutch (B2) will be put together into a separate group. This 'higher level' group will have 1 teaching hour a week instead of 2, but will be asked to take part in various activities in order to prepare for class or to practice the language outside of the classroom. (e.g. : tandem UCL/KUL, reading files, presentations, written tasks'). The one teaching hour will focus on oral language practice.
As far as the evaluation is concerned, the criteria remain the same for all students, whichever group they are in.
For ALL students, there will be one 'remediation' hour per week : the opportunity to have another explanation of the grammar, to ask questions, to do extra exercises (grammatical or other)' even if this hour is not compulsory, the students who have difficulties will be encouraged to participate in this remediation sessions.
They will have the opportunity to better their schore on some parts of tests made during the year.

Evaluation methods

Various moments of evaluation will be organised throughout the year :

• 3 tests will be organised (2 in the first term, and 1 in the second term) on the (seen or to be seen) vocabulary and the grammar seen in class. Each of these tests will be worth 1 mark out of 20.
• Active participation in the class: preparation of the class (read the texts on Moodle, study the vocabulary, prepare the demanded exercices, write short texts, ...) + participation in the class activities (discuss ideas, videos,  texts, give short presentations, ...). The total of the active participation in the class will be worth 1 mark out of 20. 
• The written exam will be organised in two parts :
• part 1 at the end of the first term (in december)
  part 2 at the end of the teaching unit, in april.
  
  These two tests will be on the whole material dealt with so far and on some skills.
  Part 1 : vocabulary and grammar of the first term,
  part 2 : vocabulary and grammar of second term
  + listening comprehension + reading comprehension + writing).
  
  Part I of the exam will count for 5 points out of 20 (so 25% of final mark) and part II will count for 7 marks (35%).
  
  Part I of the exam has to be taken again at the end of the second term if the mark obtained is inferior to 10/20.  
   
• The oral exam will be taken in April, and will consist of a discussion on a topic chosen by the student and which he will present briefly (passion, hobby, travel, commitment).  The student will also have a spontanious discussion basen on short, simple questions related to the content of the texts/videos on Moodle. This oral part of the exam will take 15 minutes and count for 4 marks out of 20, i.e. 20% of the final mark.

Weighing of the marks :

• Test 1 : 1 point
• Test 2 : 1 point
• Exam Part I : 5 points
• Test 3 : 1 point
• Exam Part II : 7 points
• Active participation in the class: 1 point
• Oral test : 4 points

• The exam of the September session bears on all the subjects of the teaching unit (first and second term, written + oral exam). The written part will count for 80% of the final mark, and the oral part for 20%.

Online resources

http://moodleucl.uclouvain.be

Bibliography

• Syllabus du cours - LNEER1330 - Algemeen Nederlands voor sociale en politieke wetenschappen, intermediair niveau deel I
• Moodle UCL (plate-forme e-learning ILV)

Faculty or entity

ILV