Aims

The course aims at developing communication skills (mainly speaking, but also reading, listening and writing skills) in order to enable the student to function in a social and professional context. Particular focus will be put on the development of specific economic vocabulary.

Main themes

Reading Comprehension

o The student can read autonomously and understand in detail long, complex factual texts and articles relating to his/her field of studies.
o The student can understand any correspondence relating to his/her field of interest, given the occasional use of a dictionary.
Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Listening Comprehension

Individual :
o The student can follow and understand conferences and exposés which are propositionally and linguistically complex relating to his/her field of studies, provided the subject matter is familiar.
o The student can understand in detail most TV news and current affairs programmes, as well as radio news bulletins and radio documentaries relating to his/her field of studies, provided the subject matter is familiar.
o The student can generally follow and understand the main points of extended discussions and debates relating to his/her field of studies even when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly.
Interactive :
o The student can keep up with an animated conversation between native speakers.
Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Speaking Skills

Individual :
o The student can give clear, systematically developed descriptions and presentations, with appropriate highlighting of significant points, and relevant supporting detail.
o The student can give clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects related to his/her field of interest, integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion (e.g. the presentation of a professional dossier).
Interactive :
o The student can communicate spontaneously with good grammatical control without much sign of having to restrict what he/she wants to say.
o The student can express his/her ideas and opinions with precision, and present and respond to arguments convincingly (meetings, negotiations, …).
Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Writing Skills

o The student can summarise, report and give his/her opinion about accumulated factual information.
o The student can give and expand his/her point of view, and explain the advantages and disadvantages of various topics.
o The student can write a business letter.
Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Code

Vocabulary : broadening of the student's range of specialised vocabulary
Grammar : consolidation and development of the basic structures as well as the more complex structures of the Dutch language.
The communicative approach features as part of the code, without neglecting error analysis.

Culture

This course also aims at making the student aware of Dutch and Flemish cultures, and at developing the ability to appreciate their values, which are passed on via different domains (social, political, economic, ..) through the four language skills mentioned above.

Content and teaching methods

NEER 1532 - Advanced Dutch for Business Studies

- 60-hour course taught 2 hours a week throughout the academic year
- Intended for the students ECGE 13 BA and INGE 13 BA - 4 ECTS for ECGE 13 BA and 5 ECTS for INGE 13 BA

Pre-requisites :
the student should have followed the intermediate-level course (NEER 1332) or a course of a similar level, corresponding to the Upper B1 level of the CEF.

Aims :
- C1 level of the CEF for the reading skills
- B2 level of the CEF for the listening skills
- B2 level of the CEF for the speaking skills (main objective)
- B2 level of the CEF for the writing skills

Contents and pedagogical approach :
- the course focuses mainly on the speaking skills (themes related to the student's field of studies, illustrated by
videotapes and expanded by role-plays and guided discussions)
- language functions related to professional life
- presentation skills needed for professional exposés
- writing exercises : summary of extracts from news items, personal opinion with relevant arguments
- broadening of the student's range of specialised vocabulary
- consolidation and development of the basic structures as well as the more complex structures of the Dutch language

Evaluation : continuous assessment, written and oral exam.

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

A 60-hour course taught two hours a week throughout the academic year

Requirements
The student should have followed the intermediate-level course (NEER 1332) or a course of a similar level, corresponding to the Upper B1 level of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" (European Council).


Methods

The main objective of the course is developing the student's speaking skills. The proposed themes are related to the student's field of studies and are illustrated by videotapes. Each theme is expanded by role-plays and guided discussions, giving the student the opportunity to use the new vocabulary and improve his/her grammatical structures.
The student will also be trained in developing language functions related to professional life (negotiations, meetings, professional telephone calls, …) as well as in presentation skills needed for professional exposés.
The student will be asked to give a presentation on a topic related to his/her field of studies. He/she will also be asked to write business letters and to summarize extracts from news items, interviews or documentaries, linked to his/her domain and to give his/her opinion with relevant arguments.
Feedback and error analysis will be provided. Detailed instructions will be given before each activity.

Workload

Attendance : 54 hours
Autonomous work : 42 hours in ECGE 13 BA / 66 hours in INGE 13 BA

Guidance

Classes in groups of maximum 18 students.
The teacher is available during his/her office hours and can be contacted by e-mail.
Guidance is also available at the self-study centre (CAA) and the multimedia room (SMM) of the ILV.

Teaching Support

Course notes : "Néerlandais d'affaires - NEER 1532 - niveau approfondi"
Videotapes, also available at the self-study centre (CAA) of the ILV.

Assessment

Continuous assessment
Written exam
Oral exam

Other credits in programs