General English

Teacher(s)

François Dominique (coordinator); Starrs Colleen;

Language

English

Prerequisites

Students should have completed a language course of at least B1 level in the 'Common European framework for Languages.' The LANGL 1330 course in BAC1 is a good basis for the BAC2 English course.

Main themes

This course covers a wide range of topics of general interest linked to their field of studies.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	The aim of this course is to broaden students' knowledge of semantic and lexical fields and to encourage spoken production. Students should be able to express themselves without too much conspicuous searching for words, on familiar and less familiar topics related to their interests and professional life. Students should be able to understand a normal conversation (live or broadcast)  dealing with everyday topics or issues related to their personal, social, university or professional life. Students should be able to understand articles and reports on contemporary issues in which the author adopts  particular attitudes or viewpoints. They should be able to quickly scan a long and difficult text and understand the main points. Level B2 of the 'Common European Framework for Languages.'

Content

This course aims to develop listening comprehension skills and reading skills (B2 level) as well as oral production including presentation techniques (B1 level) .
Reading comprehension
At home - extensive reading using reading strategies
In class and at home - detailed analysis, commentary and comprehension exercises
Listening comprehension
In class and at home - extensive and intensive listening                                                                                                                            Students listen to passages (extracts from documentaries, interviews, etc.) at their own pace and complete activities
Oral production
Mock presentation in class (term one)
Group presentation at the end of term two
Conversation activities on the themes covered in class (texts and videos)
Vocabulary and grammar
Basic vocabulary and structures are practised, consolidated and expanded using speaking activities ( role-plays, group discussions, etc.) and written exercises in class and at home as well as self-tuition material  (Usage Notes).
The themes of the texts and videos in this course are related to journalism, communication, marketing, new technologies, etc.

Teaching methods

The course is built on a hybrid approach, combining face-to-face sessions and a series of online activities on Moodle. Students have to complete the Moodle activites by themselves either before or after class (depending on the instructions given).

Evaluation methods

The assessment includes various compulsory elements:

• A series of continuous assessment activities, including the following (20 %)
  • Giving the term 1 min-presenation (mock presentation, compulsory)
  • Handing in the project proposal (Week 14, Term 1).  
  • Taking the Usage notes test - self-tuition material (Week 12, Term 1)
  • Taking part in the Warm-up discussions
  • Completing all assignments in accordance with the criteria provided (reading and listening comprehension activities, lexical and grammatical exercises, some of which are on Moodle) 
• Written exam (partial exemption) in January (30%)
• Written exam in June (term 2 material 30 %). Students who do not obtain 12/20 or more in the January exam (partial exemption) are also tested on the material from the first term in June (Term 1 + Term 2 material = 60%)
• Oral exam: group presentation in term 2 (W 12 or W13). The presentation is based on a topic related to the students' field of study (20 %)

IMPORTANT:
Both the oral exam(group presentation) and the written exams are compulsory. Students who are absent for one part of the exam (oral or written) will be considered as absent for the June session. In September, students have to do both the written exam (60 %, first and second term material, as well as the Usage Notes - self-tuition material) and the oral exam (20 %, individual presentation).  Students who are absent for one part of the exam (oral or written) will be considered as absent for the September session.
The mark for continuous assessment is not taken into account in September, unless in the student’s benefit (except the usage notes which are part of the September exam for all students). 

 

Other information

Students can choose a group and enrol for the course on Moodle.
The groups are the same in the second term.

Online resources

http://moodle.uclouvain.be/

Bibliography

Syllabus du cours LANGL 1333 (General English) // LANGL 1333 Coursenotes (General English)
Espace du cours LANGL 1333 sur Moodle // LANGL 1333 course on Moodle

Teaching materials

• Syllabus du cours LANGL 1333 (General English)

Faculty or entity

ILV