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

Teacher(s)

Demeulenaere Isabelle; Jonkers Sara (coordinator);

Language

Dutch

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

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

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

This teaching unit consists mainly of class teaching, but partically of self-tuition (e-learning). Each session 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. The grammar is seen systematically in class by means of visual charts and productive exercises for practice. Self tuition: vocabulary exercises and texts Moodle (platform e-learning ILV)..

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  For the academic year 2020-2021, due to the health situation, only a limited number of students will be admitted in the class rooms. Each class will thus be divided into two subgroups. The class will be taught on campus, alternating the two subgroups (ex. in even weeks, subgroup A will have class on campus, and subgroup B will work in self tuition. In odd weeks, subgroup B will have class on campus and subgroup A self-tuition). In the classes on campus, the focus will be on oral exercices, whereas the receptive competences will be treated in self tuition with exercices on Moodle.
  According to the evolution (of the health situation), the organisation of the class can change in either full distance learning in the classroom or online learning via the platform Teams. The subjects, the competences, and the objectives of the coursewill not be influenced by this change.  

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

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.
• •   If the health situation demands a limited number of students on campus, these tests will be organised for each subgroup in their week on campus.
  •  If the health situation does not allow students on campus, these tests will be cancelled and the partition of the marks will be revised in accordance to the situation (see below).
• 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 2 marks out of 20. 
• • If the health situation demands a limited number of students on campus, the active participation is expected for the classes on campus and the activities online.
  •  If the health situation does not allow students on campus, the active participation is expected for the activities online. In this case, the active participation in the class will be worth 2, 3, 4 or 5 marks, according to the number of cancelled tests.
• 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 marks out of 20 (so 25% of final mark) and part II will count for 6 marks (30%).
  
  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.  
  •  If the health situation does not allow students on campus, the written exam will be online with a proctoring plateform. In case an exam with proctoring cannot be organised (for whatever reason), the written exam will be cancelled and replaced by an oral exam, on campus or over Teams.
• 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 : 6 points
• Active participation in the class: 2 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%. For the oral exam, the students have to choose a new topic for their presentation. The marks for the three tests during the year (first and second term) and the active participation will only be taken into consideration if they are in student's favour. 

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