Saint-Louis University - Bruxelles
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HDDR1140 - English Language


USL-B


Credits : 5

Lecturer :
Mode of delivery :
Face-to-face , first and second term, 30 hours of theory.

Timetable :
First term
Wednesday from 20:15 to 21:15 at 119 Marais 2200
Second term
Wednesday from 19:45 to 20:45 at 119 Marais 2200

Language of instruction :
English

Learning outcomes :
The test at the beginning of the academic year makes it possible to:

- exempt the student from attending the course, based on the result obtained, i.e. a grade equal to or higher than 16/20 (the grade of the exemption test is validated as the official exam grade at the end of the academic year);
- enroll each student in the course adapted to his/her level (English Intermediate or Advanced English).

English Intermediate
The minimum level of English to be reached by the end of the academic year is B1+ (ideally B2), as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages:
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Source/Framework_fr.pdf. pp. 25-28
By the end of the academic year, the students have to be able to quickly grasp the meaning of authentic texts, and to prepare a well-structured oral summary. In addition, they have to be able to understand and explain, in detail, excerpts dealing with complex ideas, avoiding the pitfalls of “false friends”, and using grammatical structures specific to the English language.
Preparation for the Bloc2 specialized English language course.

Advanced English
The minimum level of English to be reached by the end of the academic year is C1/C1+, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages:
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Source/Framework_fr.pdf. pp. 25-28
By the end of the academic year, the students will have acquired a C1/C1+ level in English. They will be able to read and understand press articles written in English covering general topics as well as political, economic, institutional and legal ones. They will have acquired the vocabulary that will allow them to present these topics in public and defend complex ideas, both in speaking and in writing. They will also have acquired basic legal language. Preparation for the Bloc2 specialized English language course.




Prerequisites :
None

Co-requisites :
None

Course contents :
English Intermediate
Given that the aim of the course is developing the student's comprehension of complex texts, the course contents are based on authentic articles taken from the English and American press, dealing with general topics as well as with more specific questions relating to society's social and legal organization. These texts also provide the base for vocabulary study, for grammar revision, for oral summarizing exercises, and for conversation exercises.

Advanced English
The texts and articles vary according to the vocabulary studied in the areas of journalism, politics, government institutions, the news, and law.




Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
This is an interactive course so attendance is compulsory (on campus or online).
Reading and analyzing texts/articles from the press, classroom debates, summarizing exercises, watching videos on the course topics, and other activities linked to the course. Specific grammar activities. Group presentations during the first term. Individual presentations during the second term. Self-study: grammar and vocabulary linked to the course activities.
Press articles (on current affairs), video and audio recordings (BBC, CNN, …).
+ cf. bibliography below



Assessment methods and criteria :
All students enrolled in bloc 1 MAY take the test organized at the beginning of the academic year. This facultative test consists of:
- Grammar and vocabulary : “fill in the gaps” questions and multiple choice questions in English ;
- Listening comprehension: multiple choice questions or open questions in English ;

The students with the best results will be enrolled in the Advanced classes. A written exam (writing an short Essay about a topic of the News) of confirmation will be organized at the first lesson in October, and the final grade will be on /20.
Those who have a minimum of 16/20 will be exempted, keeping their grade as the final grade /20 in June. The students who do not confirm their excellent Advanced level will be sent to the English Intermediate course.

As for the course:
Continuous assessment. The final grade (/20) includes:
- two written exams (one in December (exam hors session) and one in May (exam hors session)), covering the course contents (grammar, vocabulary, texts) and testing the student's comprehension of unseen texts, though similar to the texts studied in class (reading and listening exercises) ;
- a group assignment (oral presentation: news panel or mock trial) in the course of the first term ;
- an individual assignment (oral presentation) in the course of the second term ;
- an oral exam (in May (exam hors session)) covering the texts studied in class and an unseen text.
Given that this is an interactive course, it goes without saying that the assessment will also take into account the student's regular, effective and active class participation: preparation of exercises provided by the teacher and oral presentation.
The weighting Q1 - Q2 is 40% - 60%.
Q1 /20 > /40
Written exam /12
Group presentation (news panel or mock trial) /5
Continuous assessment /3

Q2 /20 >/60
Written exam /10
Oral exam /4
Individual oral presentation /4
Continuous assessment /2

If the student passes Q1 (i.e. with a grade equal to or higher than 10/20), the Q1 course contents are considered ‘acquired' and the student does not have to re-sit this part of the exam in June or September. If the student fails Q1 (i.e. with a grade lower than 10/20), s/he is required to re-sit this exam in May (exam hors session) / September.
If the student does not obtain an overall passing grade (i.e. a grade equal to or higher than 10/20) in June, s/he is required to re-sit the parts of the exam s/he failed (i.e. Q1 / or Q2 / or Q1 + Q2) in September. It is obvious that the study of a language is cumulative, and that the course contents the student no longer has to study for the exam are still considered acquired, known, and assimilated.
For urgent sanitary reasons, the teachers may decide that the oral exam will count for more marks compared with a possible digital written exam.


Recommended or required reading :
English Intermediate
1. A syllabus containing texts and exercises + the Vade Mecum + the schedule with information on which exercises to prepare for each class ;
2. Documents handed out during the course ;
3. Tilbury Alex et al., English Unlimited Intermediate Coursebook with e-Portfolio and Online
Workbook Pack, Cambridge University Press.

Advanced English
1. Advanced English Syllabus ;
2. Documents handed out during the course ;
3. Gairns Ruth & Redman Stuart, Oxford Word Skills - Advanced, Oxford University Press ;
4. (optional) Murphy Raymond, English Grammar In Use, Cambridge University press





Other information :
Attendance is compulsory. (online and on campus!)
The teacher will check attendance at the start of each class session. In case a student is absent, s/he needs to justify this absence with a medical certificate or a serious explanation. The original certificate must be submitted to the Law Faculty's Administrative Office within the 24 hours following the end of the period covered by the certificate. The student is also asked to provide the teacher with a copy of the certificate when s/he returns to class, so that the attendance list can be kept up-to-date.
If a student has been absent more than twice throughout the academic year (Q1 + Q2) without serious justification, his/her continuous assessment grade will be decreased (or even equated to 0), in Q1 and/or in Q2.