Aims

To acquire advanced+ skills in speaking and writing (B2+ level - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ). Focus will be laid on the stylistic and pragmatic features of the target language.

The student will:
- have a good command of a broad lexical repertoire allowing gaps to be readily overcome with circumlocutions
- demonstrate little obvious searching for expressions or avoidance strategies
- have a good command of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms
- make no significant vocabulary errors
- consistently maintain a high degree of grammatical accuracy; errors are
- be able to vary intonation and place sentence stress correctly in order to express finer shades of meaning
- use consistent and accurate layout, paragraphing, spelling and punctuation
- produce clear, smoothly flowing, well-structured speech, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices

Main themes

Focus on language use (vocabulary and grammar) through oral and written productions. The stress will be laid on the argumentation and production of efficient spoken and/or written discourse. Special attention will be devoted to discourse and interaction strategies in speech, and to cohesion and coherence in writing.

Enhance advanced+ command of the target language through oral and written productions. The focus on argument, effective social discourse and on language awareness which appears at B2 (Vantage) is reinforced. The formal aspects of the language will be used and tested productively both through oral and written productions. Special attention will be devoted to intercultural communication, translation and contrastive analysis.

Content and teaching methods

Contents

To reach the aims defined for the course, the themes addressed will be varied and complex, including abstract and highly specialized topics.

Method

Lectures in auditorium: focus, mainly through written exercises, on vocabulary expansion, stylistic & grammatical accuracy, and translation skills.

Exercise sessions: focus on correct oral production (vocabulary, grammar, fluency, pronunciation, etc.).

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

Assessment method:
End of the academic year
- oral exam to assess oral skills ;
- written exam to assess writing skills.

Other credits in programs