Saint-Louis University - Bruxelles
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ANGL1192 - English I


USL-B


Credits : 5

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

Language of instruction :
English


Learning outcomes :
The aim of this course is to push the students forward to a B1(+) level as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Basically, this means that by the end of the year, the student will be able to express him/herself orally and in writing using simple but clear sentences, getting the message across.

The interactive lessons as well as the home assignments will help the student master the language at a basic lexical and grammatical level of communication. Different skills will be strengthened: speaking, writing, reading, and listening.
The course is open to all, even if an A2 level is recommended in order to participate in the course.
Students who are strong in English can be exempted from the English course after passing an exemption test with at least 16/20. The exemption exam will be organized remotely via the ELAO platform in September. Students who obtain a sufficiently high score on the written test (minimum general level B1(75) in 40 minutes) will then have to take an individual oral exam, either in person or on Teams. This test will confirm (or not) the student's level in English and will allow the student to be exempted (or not). The test is organized only once, at the start of the academic year. Details on how to register for the exemption test will be published on the valves.



Prerequisites :
None

Co-requisites :
None

Course contents :
- Interactive classes on basic communication in English.
- Basic grammar revision (self-study). A grammar tutorial is available 1h/week (optional in term 1, but compulsory in term 2 (if the grade in December is below 10/20)).

Chapters on the following topics:
- Socialising
- Pronunciation
- Figures and Numbers
- Telephoning
- Writing Professional Emails
- Phrasal Verbs
- False friends
- Connectives
- Persuasive Language (used during a presentation)
- The Press in English and/or The workplace (basic level: describing companies and jobs, basic business vocabulary)
- …



Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
ANGL1192 - Q1 (15h)
ANGL1192 - Q2 (15h)
*Interactive course: communicative and interactive approach.
One hour of compulsory English class per week, complemented with an optional grammar tutorial of one hour per week.
The classroom hours (interactive) are essentially dedicated to speaking, writing and listening, focused on everyday situations (useful English) and the news (the press in English).
The grammar tutorial is strongly recommended to all students facing difficulties with basic grammar (and in need of explanations and additional grammar exercises guided by a teacher). A test is organised during the first class of terms 1 and 2 which allows the students to know their level.



Assessment methods and criteria :
It is important to notice that this course is based on continuous assessment throughout the year: the students need to be active during the interactive courses. Their participation, regular attendance, knowledge of the vocabulary, mastery of the oral exercises, etc., are assessed throughout the year. The home assignments required by the teacher must be done thoroughly. They are part of regular assessment and are part of the final evaluation. There is no exam in the January exam session, nor in the June exam session. The final grade is based on different oral and written tests, as well as continuous assessment, organised throughout the year (with exams organised off session).

- Oral component
- Continuous assessment: participation and involvement, home assignments, preparation, … (Q1 and Q2)
- The News Panel (oral exam in groups, off session, towards the end of Q1)
- Persuasive Language (to be used for a presentation, group exam, off session, towards the end of Q2)

- Written component
Basic grammar (self-study), vocabulary, writing, reading, and listening.
The written evaluation is based on continuous assessment (home assignments) and four tests (November, December, March and May).
The grade is split between the tests: the basic grammar represents +/-55-60%, vocabulary, writing, reading, and listening represent +/- 40-45%.

- Weight of Q1-Q2
The final result is obtained by adding the Q1 (40%) and Q2 (60%) marks:
Q1: 40%
- oral exam in December (off session): The News Panel (in groups, individual mark) = 10%
- written tests = 30% (November test = 10%, December Exam (off session) = 20%)
This part of the course is passed with a grade of 10/20 or higher for the full year.
The students who do not pass the Q1 tests and exams will have to do so in May (catch-up exams off session)/September (during session).

Q2: 60%
- continuous assessment throughout the whole academic year: participation and involvement, home assignments, preparation (written and/or oral) = 10%
- oral exam in May (off session): persuasive language (to be used during a presentation, in groups, individual mark) = 20%
- written tests = 30% (March test = 10%, May exam (off session) = 20%)

This part of the course is passed with a grade of 10/20 or higher for the full year.

- Reading a book (15% of the TOTAL grade)

The students have to read the following book:
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
Penguin books, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-241-97906-8
At the end of the second term, in May (off session exam), the students will also be assessed on the content of this book (multiple-choice questions, on MOODLE). The students have to bring their copy of the book to the exam. This part of the course is passed with a grade of 10/20 or higher for the full year.


At the end of the year, in the June session, the student receives one single mark for the whole year, based on the aforementioned distribution.
If the student did not obtain a satisfactory global mark in June (minimum 10/20), they will have to retake the unsatisfactory component(s) (either Q1 or Q2 / or Q1+Q2) in August (during session).

If the student did not obtain a satisfactory global mark (minimum 10/20) in June, they will have to sit an exam in August (during session) which includes both parts Q1 and Q2.


- Absences to one or several written and oral exams
The student must take all oral and written exams.
The exams/tests for which the student was absent will have to be retaken in the following session. There is no catch-up during the same session.

- Catch-up exams
The catch-up exams are organised in May (off session) / September (during session) : same grade weight, but continuous assessment is no longer taken into account.







Recommended or required reading :
Syllabus ANGL1191-1192 2022-2023 (common course book for ANGL1191 and ANGL1192)
2 parts : « Communicating in English I » (Q1) and « Communicating in English II » (Q2)
Syllabus « Basic English Grammar »

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
Penguin books, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-241-97906-8



Other information :
An A2 level is recommended in order to participate in the course.
It is imperative that students consult Moodle at least once a week and that they read ALL announcements.

Participation to the interactive courses is compulsory.
3 unjustified absences are permitted during the year.
However, if the student is absent during a written or oral test, the grade will be 0 (0A) for this test if the absence is not justified (medical certificate or force majeure).
In excess of these three absences, each new absence will need to be justified by a medical certificate or by a duly substantiated written justification. If not justified, any additional absences shall be penalised in the mark for continuous assessment (20%) of June (Q2).
The teaching methods and assessment modes can still be influenced by circumstances and restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic. We will strictly follow the changes imposed by USL-B in the context of the pandemic.