Interactive communication seminar

Teacher(s)

Denis Philippe (coordinator);

Language

English

Prerequisites

Have reached the objectives of the course LANGL1212 or equivalent.

Main themes

The themes are related to their studies and fields of future professional activities.
Broadly speaking, these are all steeped in the English-speaking world's culture.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	grasp the content and significance of articles and reports on topics connected with their interests or their jobs. Reading comprehension : level B2+ of the « Common European Framework of References for Languages »
2	understand the TV  programmes concerning general topics and oriented towards their fields of interest in standard and clearly articulated English language. Listening comprehension: level B2+ of the « Common European Framework of References for Languages »
3	master enough grammar, vocabulary and phonetics to successfully take part in discussions, debates or language-focused activities and give their opinion on general topics. Speaking: level B2  of the « Common European Framework of References for Languages ».

Content

This course is interactive and conversation-oriented regardless of the level. The teacher resorts to various techniques and media to help the learners hold a conversation, participate in debates and take the floor.
The students will also be trained to report on articles, radio and TV programs, give a short talk on the English-speaking world culture; discuss historical events and current news; argue about societal and philosophical debates; take part in quizzes.

Teaching methods

The course relies on technological supports such as a Moodle platform, Teams and Internet sources as well as the teacher's book, entitled AlterNative America in Counterpoint (PUL, 2023), to be bought at LLN's DUC.
Training learners to become autonomous readers and listeners of authentic sources
Broadening the students' vocabulary scope and enhancing their grammatical sophistication
Teaching complex grammar points such as tenses, modal auxiliary verbs, connectives and advanced syntax.
Training students how to resort to listening strategies
Role plays, debates, discussions as well as a team student-led class
English pronunciation and stress patterns: practice and theory

As regards speaking skills, the emphasis will be on fluency and depth rather than accuracy proper.
As for the 2-credit LANGL 1315 appendix to the 3-credit LANGL 1313 course (common to all), it seeks to increase the trainees' cultural, literary and international literacy.

Evaluation methods

1. Class attendance and active participation (and completion of home assignments)
2. The oral, end-of-first term Phonetics test, whose results will be factored in at the end of the year.
3. The Fall and Spring team Student-Led Classes in their disciplines
4. The written Language Use test half-way through the second term
5. The May research-based role-play debate on a study-related controversial issue

This LANGL 1313 mark represents 70% of the final mark. As LANGL 1315 is worth 5 credits, there is an 15-hour appendix to the main course. It is centered on the teacher's book, AlterNative America in Counterpoint (PUL, 2013).

1. The students will therefore be required to present one of the three options at the Teach-and-Feed-the Teacher, oral exam, in addition to handing in a 4-short-essay portofolio.

September exam
Students will not be exempted for a part of the exam. If you take the September exam, you have to re-do the written exam AND the oral exam. Your continuous assessment mark will not be taken into account. In case of repeated absences, the failing student will have to present an in-depth analysis of a specialist book written in the target language.

Online resources

http://moodleucl.uclouvain.be

Bibliography

• Syllabus du cours LANGL1313-1315 (Free and available on Moodle)
• Plateforme Moodle du cours LANGL1313-1315
• AlterNative America in Counterpoint. Philippe J. Denis. Pul, 2023 (Available at La Duc, LLN)

Teaching materials

• AlterNative America in Counterpoint. Philippe J. Denis (PUL, 2023). At La Duc, LLN

Faculty or entity

ILV