Pratique de l'anglais

See UV for course material: Course information (Course overview: information, requirements, methodology, etc.), Course modules (chapters), answer keys, and supplementary course materials and language resources. Set text/book: see UV for details.

Methodology

• Economics and policy themes, subject-matter and subject-specific and academic vocabulary.
• A lexical and cognitive approach to language acquisition: emphasis on learning collocations, i.e. word combinations – to facilitate probable not just possible language use.
• Language exercises.
• Four skills: speaking, listening, reading, writing.
• Provision of feedback based on student participation contribution and submission of portfolio documents.

Students are encouraged to prepare for class discussions and activities in advance where necessary and to check and look up relevant vocabulary and collocations. Moreover, any effective learning involves active participation – classes are compulsory and important for portfolio preparation and development. Please note that repeated exposure to useful words and phrases is a key part of language learning. Students are encouraged to develop their ability to:

• express thoughts clearly in English and ask questions;
• take part in discussions, and learn through debating issues and conversations;
• improve writing skills;
• acquire knowledge and detect an author’s standpoint by reading texts/articles in English, and by watching viewing material and taking notes;
• use analytical skills in an academic language context; detect an author’s standpoint; test ideas;
• read around a subject by examining various sources; develop a balanced argument.
• Subject-specific material and tasks, and subject-specific and academic vocabulary - and specific skills such as writing and speaking. See course material for more details.

Interactive classes taught in English (seminars and tutorials) in the first semester: discussions, teamwork, speaking and language exercises/tasks

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

See the course material on the UV.

Course notes

• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Nicholas.Pringle@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Method(s) of evaluation

• Portfolio
• Oral examination

Portfolio

Oral examination

Evaluation based on proficiency level and attainment/preparation in the context of the course (academic English for economics – course communication themes). Please note that the course is not just about general proficiency level in English. As it is an English for Special and Academic Purposes (ESP/EAP) English course, CEFR/proficiency levels are applied in the context of the course, i.e. the course themes, material and tasks. In other words, the specific course themes and skills/competences involved are extremely important. General level of English is also important, but is not sufficient on its own. The course involves learning specific topics, vocabulary and academic skills. See UV course information for details.

Please note that evaluation methods include the following:

• Oral exam based on student preparation, discussion and analysis of portfolio written work - see course details and information (UV).

English oral exam interview based on reading (from specified sources) and written work: Required exam preparation – see Course overview – Course introduction on the UV. Oral exam questions and discussion based on the following:

• Portfolio of writing tasks and exam prep (see course material on the UV), including book and chapter reviews, article reviews and other written preparation required (see UV for details).
• Further questions may be asked about course content themes, concepts, pronunciation – see UV.

The oral exam is based on proficiency level in the context of the course and the course communication themes/content for the following criteria: Argument: prep, ideas and coherence; Pronunciation and fluency; Lexical range and complexity; Grammatical range and accuracy. See UV for further information, etc.

Practical organization – length of examination: Oral exam interview: a 30-minute time slot for each individual student – see UV.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

Assessment – first and second exam sessions:

• Portfolio-based oral-exam interview: 100%*

* First session in January – no oral exam in the May/June exam session. See UV for further details, including bonus/penalty marks for portfolio preparation development.

Language(s) of evaluation

• english