Advanced English 1

Teacher(s)

Gouverneur Céline (coordinator); Lambert Caroline; Monfort Guy; Zèques Quentin;

Language

English

Prerequisites

To have achieved level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

Main themes

' conversation exercises and small discussion groups; ' presentation exercises on economic, political and/or socio-cultural topics. ' listening and reading comprehension exercises (news programmes, documentaries).

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

communicate easily and clearly on a range of specialised topics relating to economics, politics and socio-cultural subjects. Students will achieve level B2+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Content

After Bachelor courses, which were primarily based on building solid receptive and productive skills as well as general vocab, this course is based on project learning.
Through integrated skills teaching (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written production, oral production, vocabulary, grammar, phonetics and pronunciation), students will develop the following skills:

• Writing a CV and a covering letter
• Taking part in a job interview
• Analysing data and presenting results
• Holding a meeting
• Negotiating 
• Giving a presentation and managing a Q&A session

Teaching methods

The course is taught in English, two hours a week, for six weeks in Q1 and in Q2. 
Students are expected to carry out different types of tasks (reading, exercises, assignments) in preparation for each session. They are expected to come to class with their course notes (available on the Student Corner).
In-class or online sessions are devoted to the development of professional skills students will need in their future career. The class activities mainly consist in group work fostering creativity, analysis, collaboration and negotiation.  
The grammar, vocabulary and writing tests take place after the 6-week teaching period.  
Depending on the health situation, our class will take place face-to-face on site, online or both.  
- Green heath code: Face-to-face teaching applies. All classes will be taught on site. Some activities might take place on Teams when this proves more relevant.
- Yellow health code: Face-to-face teaching applies. Depending on the size of the groups and the allocated rooms, the lessons might take place partly on site and partly online, on Teams. Distance learning will be complemented with extra exercises on Teams or Moodle.
- Orange or red health code: online teaching on Teams with exercises on Teams or Moodle.

Evaluation methods

Students are expected to reach B2 level at the end of this course.
There is no exam in June. The final mark relies on continuous assessment. 
The breakdown of the overall mark is as follows:

• 20% for the job interview;
• 20% for the conversation/discussion exercise;
• 20% for the presentation exercise;
• 20% for the grammar and vocabulary test;
• 20% for the writing test.

Students' active participation in and personal commitment (e.g. meeting deadlines) to the course are also taken into account since this course reflects actual professional situations. 
If a student obtains a fail mark (lower than 10/20) in June, he/she will be allowed to improve by means of an assignment for the August/September examination period.
This assignment will include the following tasks:

1. Creation of a press file (complete with summary and specific vocabulary for each scientific/newspaper article);
2. Fifteen‑minute oral presentation;
3. Vocabulary test;
4. Grammar test;
5. Writing test;

  The students who fail in June are expected to get in touch with their teachers right after obtaining their results to arrange the practical details of the second session exam. 

Online resources

• Advanced English 1, course on the Student Corner: https://www.student-corner.be/course/view.php?id=6726
• Handouts
• Online reference tools and writing aids

Bibliography

Swan, M. & Baker, D., Practical English Usage, Diagnostic Tests, Oxford University Press, 2010
Strutt, P., Longman Business English Usage, Longman, 1998.
Swan, M. & Walter, C., How English Works, Oxford University Press, 1997
Spratbrow, A., QCM anglais, Spratbrow, 1993.

Faculty or entity

ILV