Aims

The aim of this 30 hour course is to train the student to be operational in English in the socio-cultural context he or she will encounter after graduation. Emphasis is placed primarily on developing speaking skills both in an informal as well as formal setting. Students should be approaching the B2 level as described by the Council of Europe Common Reference Framework for languages.

Main themes

Course description :
- The student can read scientific texts relating to the field of dentistry and understand reports or articles which
express opinions or attitudes.
- The student can grasp the main ideas in a lecture on any aspect of dentistry, understand conversations as well as
televised programmes on familiar topics.
- The student has mastered the language of presentations and can give a short, well-structured Powerpoint lecture
on an aspect of dentistry previously chosen, and answer questions.
- Emphasis is also placed on the everyday language needed to welcome an English speaking colleague to Belgium
and the expressions employed when attending a conference (hotel and travel arrangements).
- The student is also able to explain the diagnostic and dental treatment required by patients and answer any
questions concerning costs incurred, techniques and materials employed and dental care and hygiene.
- Familiar with the language of meetings, students can chair a discussion, interrupt diplomatically, ask for or give
personal opinions, sum up the main points.
- Finally, the student has acquired the necessary skills to attend an interview for a position in dentistry, explain his
or her motivation, and answer questions of a more personal nature.
- The student can write short reports about a patient's treatment, answer queries concerning costs, treatment or
dental care. Write a letter of referral to a medical colleague, a memorandum, e-mails.
- Present their CV together with an application letter for a position in dentistry.
- Vocabulary : consolidation of basic vocabulary idiomatic expressions (+/- 1500 words),false-friends; acquisition
and correct pronunciation of terms used in dentistry (+/- 500 words).
- Grammar : revision of tenses and modals, question forms, structure of sentences. Students learn how to avoid
making frequent lexical and grammatical mistakes.

Methods
The course prioritizes interactive communication within a professional framework.
Students are therefore placed in a number of different contexts and encouraged to work with a partner and practice the expressions provided in their course notes.
Situations range from everyday socializing, telephoning, role-plays involving patient-dentist, discussions with colleagues, to preparing a personal computer-assisted lecture.
These activities require a certain amount of preparation on the part of the student. Remedial work is suggested when necessary.

Content and teaching methods

Course code and title : ANGL 2453 : interactive communication in English
Year of studies : students in their fifth year of dentistry
Rhythm : 30 hours : 2h/week during one semester

Objectives :
to train the student to be operational in English in the socio-cultural context he or she will encounter after graduation, and to give a PowerPoint presentation on a technique used in dentistry

Evaluation : continuous assessment, oral exam

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites :
Students following this course must possess an intermediate level in English equivalent to the B1 level as specified by the Council of Europe standards, in all four skills : listening, reading, speaking and writing.

Reference books
- Course notes
- numerous web sites
- Churchill's Pocketbook of Clinical Dentistry, I.G.Chestnutt, J.Gibson; Churchill Livingstone 2003.

Evaluation
- Continuous assessment (including Powerpoint presentation) accounts for 50% of total mark.
- Final exam consists of a job interview for a dental position.