Listening comprehension and specialised (business) English oral exercises - Part 2

Teacher(s)

Knorr Sabrina; Peer Hila; Starrs Colleen (coordinator);

Language

English

Prerequisites

B2 level of the 'Common European Framework for Languages'.

Main themes

The main aim of this course is to improve students' listening comprehension skills and to develop their knowledge of (specialised) vocabulary.
The course also aims to improve students' oral skills, in addition to revising certain grammatical points.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Listening Comprehension At the end of this course students can follow recordings of interviews, discussions, presentations, documentaries etc. featuring both native and non-native speakers with various accents talking about complex business topics (e.g. training, finance and banking, strategy etc.) and are able to take notes, select relevant information, understand specialised terminology and answer questions based on the recordings. Level C1 of the "Common European Framework for Languages Speaking Skills - Individual: At the end of this course students can give their opinion on the topics in the recordings and texts covered in class. Speaking Skills - Interactive: At the end of this course students can participate fluently and effectively in discussions. Emphasis is on: content management spoken fluency coherence and cohesion vocabulary range grammatical accuracy phonological control Level B2+ of the "Common European Framework for Languages " Reading Comprehension At the end of this course students can read specialised business texts and are able to select what is important or relevant for a specific task or to answer a specific question. can understand specialised terminology in texts e.g. business vocabulary, idiomatic expressions etc. Level C1 of the "Common European Framework for Languages "

Content

The course covers listening comprehension, reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and oral skills. All of the material covered relates to a specialised field (business).

Teaching methods

Class time is used for activities to develop students’ language skills.

Evaluation methods

Continuous assessment – 40%
Discussion on text/video – 5%
Students have to prepare/organise a short discussion/debate based on a video or text of their choice. Detailed instructions are given in class.
Le Répétiteur test – 10%
Students have a written test in class on the economics files (ECON) from Le Répétiteur - "Specific Vocabulary" - "Economics".  This material is considered to be self-tuition material.
Group discussion – 25%
Students are given questions to discuss based on one of  the topics covered in class. Students are given preparation time (individual preparation) and then they discuss the topic they have chosen.
Students are assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
- content (knowledge of the topic, use of topic specific vocabulary, argumentation, use of discussion expressions, etc.)
- accuracy (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, stress, etc.)
- fluency (communication skills, building up an argument, interaction, etc.)
The dates for the discussion on the text/article, the test on Le Répétiteur and the group discussions are scheduled in advance. All students are expected to be present. Students who are absent will get zero unless they can provide a valid official document to justify their absenc, e.g. a medical certificate.
Written exam in June – 60%
The exam consists of the following parts:
- Listening comprehension questions based on all of the material covered in class and at home and other unseen material.
- Vocabulary questions based on all of the material covered in class and at home, i.e. all listening comprehension material, reading comprehension material, vocabulary exercises, other exercises, etc.
- Grammar questions based on the material covered in class and at home.
The written exam takes place during the exam session in June. Once the date has been fixed, it cannot be changed. Students who are absent for the written exam will be considered as absent for the June session unless they can provide a valid official document to justify their absence, e.g. a medical certificate.
September session
The exam consists of the following parts:
Oral exam – 30%
This part has the same format as the group discussions during the term, i.e. a discussion based on one of the topics covered in class (see above).
Students are assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
- content (knowledge of the topic, use of topic specific vocabulary, argumentation, use of discussion expressions, etc.)
- accuracy (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, stress, etc.)
- fluency (communication skills, building up an argument, interaction, etc.)
Written exam – 70%
This part consists of the material covered in the June exam and the files from Le Répétiteur:
- Listening comprehension questions based on all of the material covered in class and at home and other unseen material.
- Vocabulary questions based on all of the material covered in class and at home, i.e. all listening comprehension material, reading comprehension material, vocabulary exercises, other exercises, etc.
- Grammar questions based on the material covered in class and at home.
- Le Répétiteur - "Specific Vocabulary" - "Economics". 
Both the oral and written component are compulsory. Students who are absent for one part of the exam will be considered as absent for the September session unless they can provide a valid official document to justify their absence, e.g. a medical certificate.
.

Online resources

http://moodle.uclouvain.be/

Bibliography

• Manuel - Keynote Advanced – Student’s Book – Lewis Lansford, Paul Dummett, Helen Stephenson - © 2016 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning Company (Print Year: 2018)

Teaching materials

• Notes de cours
• Le Répétiteur
• Moodle UCL

Faculty or entity

ILV