Aims

The objective of the elementary course is A2 level of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" (European Council).


Reading Comprehension

At the end of the course, the student should be able:
o to read short and simple texts
o to find a piece of information in everyday documents such as advertisements, menus, timetables…
o to understand simple personal letters.
A2 level of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages"

Listening Comprehension

At the end of the course, the student should be able:
Individually : o to understand very frequent vocabulary related to familiar/everyday life (e.g. him/herself, family, shopping…)
o to grasp the main point of simple and clear messages and advertisements
Interactively : o to understand enough to be able to answer to concrete needs, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly.
A2 level of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages"

Speaking Skills

At the end of the course, the student should be able:
Individually : o to talk in simple language (descriptive mode) about him/herself, his/her family, other people, close environment and living conditions.
Interactively : o to communicate in simple and usual tasks for which only simple and direct exchange of information is needed.
A2 level of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages"

Writing Skills

At the end of the course, the student should be able:
o to write a short postcard, a menu, a simple ad slogan, a day's schedule.
o to write down personal information in a questionnaire (nationality, address, age…)
A1 level of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages"

Code

Knowledge of the basic vocabulary (1500 to 2000 words) and structures of Dutch (spelling rules; gender and plurals of nouns; adjective agreement; comparatives and superlatives; definite, indefinite and numeral determiners; structure of simple clauses (incl. inversion) and complex clauses (coordinate and subordinate), including the place of complements, conjugation of verbs, auxiliaries, irregular verbs, "te+infinitive", double infinitive, pronouns and pronominal adverbs, negation, use of "er"). As far as speaking skills are concerned, the course focuses more on communicative skills than on correction, although attention is still paid to the latter .

Culture

For all the skills aforementioned: introduction to Flemish and Dutch culture

Main themes

The method used is the coursebook "Vanzelfsprekend" (see Course Materials below). This learning method covers the four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) through texts and situation inspired by everyday and cultural life in Flanders. This method is composed of ten units. Each unit follows the following pattern: - introduction of vocabulary and structures through the use of a video- learning of vocabulary and structures through audio-texts. - oral and written exercises for the integration of vocabulary and structures- reinforcement through revision exercises

Content and teaching methods

NEER 1130 - elementary level

- Course taught 2h/week during one term.
- This course is for BAC-students in SOCA 11 BA, COMU 11 BA, HUSO 11 BA, SPOL 11 BA, ECGE 11 BA (3 ECTS) & INGE 11 BA
(2 ECTS).

Prerequisites :
Students must have followed a program of at least 2 hours a week during the last two years at secondary school or having at least A1 level of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" (European Council)
A placement test is organised at the beginning of the year. The results obtained at this test determine the course level the student should follow (either Elementary - NEER 1130, or Intermediate first part - NEER 1330)

Aims :
The objective of the elementary course is A2 level of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" (European Council). For the speaking, reeding and listening skills and level A1 for the writing skills.

Contents and pedagogical approach :
The method used is the coursebook "Vanzelfsprekend" (see Course Materials below). This learning method covers the four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) through texts and situation inspired by everyday and cultural life in Flanders.

Evaluation :
Several marks come into account for the final assessment
Continuous assessment (written and oral tests)

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

- Prerequisites :

Students must have followed a program of at least 2 hours a week during the last two years at secondary school or having at least A1 level of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" (European Council)A placement test is organised at the beginning of the year. The results obtained at this test determine the course level the student should follow (either Elementary - NEER 1130, or Intermediate first part - NEER 1330).

In SOCA, HUSO, COMU, students who attend this course in BAC1 have to follow the course NEER 1330 (B1 level) in BAC 2. Provided they pass the exam of this course at the end of the first term, they also can attend the course NEER 1330 (level B1) during the second term. Provided they pass the exam of this course at the end of BAC 1, these students will be exempted from and obtain the credits for the course in BAC 2.

In ECGE, INGE, SPOL, students who attend this course in BAC 1 have to attend a 90 hours/course in BAC 2 instead of the 60 hours/course foreseen in their program (either NEER 1332 in ECGE/INGE, either NEER 1331 in SPOL).
Provided they pass the exam of this course at the end of the first term, they also can attend the course NEER 1330 (level B1) during the second term. Provided they pass the exam of this course at the end of BAC 1, these students will be allowed to attend the 60 hours/course normally foreseen in their program.

- Workload

Course hours : 26 hours
Self-Study : 46 hours + 45 hours of personal work (do not count for ECTS - cfr. "Decret Bologne" of the french Community of Belgium).

- Supervision

Courses in groups of max. 30 students.
The teacher is available during office hours and can be contacted by e-mail.
Guidance at the "Centre d'Auto-Apprentissage" (C.A.A.) and the Multimedia Room

- Course Material

" Vanzelfsprekend ", Rita Devos et Han Fraeters, Acco, Leuven, 1998 (Tekstboek and Werkboek)

- Assessment

Several marks come into account for the final assessment :
. Continuous assessment (written and oral tests)

Other credits in programs