Study Programmes 2015-2016
LANG1965-1  
English 1
Duration :
80h Th
Number of credits :
Bachelor in business engineering6
Lecturer :
Ellen Harry, ISLV, Fanny Novakovic, Estelle Oger, Victoria Purchon, Nathalie Schraepen, Amaël Verbeure
Coordinator :
Nathalie Schraepen
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
All year long, with partial in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
1. In-class course (60 hours): This course is based on the first 6 units of the book "Market Leader - Intermediate Business English" (Longman, 2010). It includes the following:
  • Further study of everyday English vocabulary and introduction to business English vocabulary (Topics = brands, travel, change, organisation, advertising and money).
  • Review and study of grammar basics.
  • Developing reading comprehension of business-related texts from the English-speaking press.
  • Communication practice in everyday and business English: discussions, dialogues, role-plays based on case studies, etc.
  • Developing writing skills in everyday and business English: descriptions, business emails and letters, short graph descriptions, etc.
2. Lab (30h): This course includes listening comprehension exercises based on audio and video recordings related to business or economics (in the "Market Leader" or the ISLV lab file)
Learning outcomes of the course :
As this is a B1/B2-level course, the key learning outcomes, consistent with the programme, are:
  • understand the main points of a speech or conversation or of radio or television programmes on current events or topics of personal or professional interest, as long as the language is clear and standard.
  • understand articles about contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular viewpoints as well as the description of events, feelings and wishes.
  • communicate with a degree of fluency on topics that are familiar or of personal or professional interest and present and defend their point of view.
  • write simple and clear connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal or professional interest, describe experiences and events, explain the advantages and disadvantages of various options and give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
This course is not a beginners' course. It is an intermediate-level business English course that corresponds to Council of Europe level B1/B2. Therefore the level required to take this course is a good basic knowledge of English (secondary/ high school level or Council of Europe level A2/B1). This course can be complemented by an evening class or an @lter course. For more information go to www.islv.ulg.ac.be.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
This class uses a dynamic, interactive and efficient approach to learning business English and is based on the business English coursebook Market Leader (Intermediate level), a supplement to this coursebook, a lab file and a grammar book. In class a variety of activities enable the presentation, assimilation and practice of the language material from the book, such as PowerPoint presentations, role-plays based on case studies and debates.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
The in-class course is taught to a maximum of 50 students for three hours every week (2 hours of class and 1 hour of lab activities).
Students are required to prepare the units from the coursebook every week (about one unit every three weeks). This preparation work varies in time depending on the students' previous knowledge. Regular work is essential as students are expected to participate actively in class discussions and debates. There will be some tutorial hours to help students prepare their business simulation.
Recommended or required readings :
Compulsory:
  • COTTON, D., "Market Leader", Longman, 2010, available at the centrale des cours rue Louvrex.
  • "Business English coursebook supplement" (ISLV): grammar and vocabulary exercises and grammar tests: available at Intercopy (Sart Tilman) from September 16th, 2015.
  • Readings file for the oral exam: available at Intercopy from October 2015.
  • "Listening Comprehension File" for the lab: available at Intercopy from September 16th, 2015.
Recommended:
  • "Grammaire anglaise de base" (with exercises and key) (ISLV): available at the "Editions ULg" and the "Point de Vue" (Sart Tilman).
  • ROBERT & COLLINS Dictionary.
  • "Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English" or "The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English".
  • "Oxford Business English Dictionary for Learners of English", Oxford University Press.
  • "English Grammar in Use" (intermediate), Cambridge University Press.
Assessment methods and criteria :
1. Continuous assessment (1/20):
  • Assessment test at the beginning of the year (17/09/2015 at 1pm, Durkheim, B31, Sart Tilman).
  • 4 interactive online grammar & vocabulary tests (Novembre, December, March & April), which will count for 1 mark in the final mark.
  • Written assignments.
2. Written exams (10/20):
January written exam (5/20)
  • Exercises on the vocabulary and grammar seen in Q1.
  • Writing exercise.
May written exam (5/20)*
  • Exercises on the vocabulary and grammar seen in Q2.
  • Reading comprehension exercises based on an unseen text.
*The students who do not pass in January (i.e have less than 50%) will have an extra section in the May exam.  Those who did not pass in January and have a second session in English will have an extra section in the written exam in August.
3. Oral exams (7/20):
  • A business simulation (in class in the 2nd term) in groups of 6 students based on one of the units from the coursebook. It will count for 3 marks: 1.5 marks for the group & 1.5 marks for each student in the group.
  • 20-minute discussion based on 10 pages of texts from the British and American press chosen in the readings file (4/20)
4. Listening comprehension exam (2/20)
N.B:
The marks obtained for the business simulations count for both exam sessions in May and August. If a student gets less than 50% then they will be required to do a new business simulation in August. The oral, written and listening exams are indissociable.  The only exception is for the LC, which only has to be retaken if the first session mark is less than 50%.
The pass mark is at least 10/20. Marks between 9.5 and 10 will not be rounded up.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Students can also train on-line. To do so, go to newlol@ (Go to "interactive vocabulary tests" + "grammar tests" + "sample exams") or log on to the ISLV (Institut Supérieur des Langues Vivantes) website (http://www.islv.ulg.ac.be). Click on NOTRE INSTITUT and then on ESPACE ETUDIANTS and EXERCICES INTERACTIFS.
Students should make sure that they keep up to date with the messages and practice exercises on Lol@. A compulsory placement test will be organised on September 17th, 2015 at 1:30pm in Durkheim (B31, level 0) in Sart Tilman.
Contacts :
 
Items online :
CBS & Lol@
Students can have access to the Business English Coursebook Supplement at: http://newlola.hec.ulg.ac.be/course/view.php?id=26 Students should go on Lol@ regularly in order to read their messages and do the additional exercises posted on Lol@.