English 1

Duration

80h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

ISLV, Fanny Novakovic, Nathalie Schraepen, Julien Stevens, Andrea Tudino, 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

Learning unit 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.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

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, taking into account the multicultural and international features of their environment.
• 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, which includes 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 35 to 40 students for three hours every week (about 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): pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, speaking, writing and listening exercises (lab file): available on lol@  http://lola.hec.ulg.ac.be/pluginfile.php/11901/mod_resource/content/2/Matrice%20coursebook%20supplement%20gestion%201%202016-2017.pdf and at Intercopy (Sart Tilman) from September 18th, 2017.
• Readings file for the oral exam: available on lol@ and at Intercopy from September 18th, 2017.
• MURPHY, R., "English Grammar in Use" (intermediate), 4th edition with answers, Cambridge University Press

• "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.

Assessment methods and criteria

1. Continuous assessment:

• Assessment test at the beginning of the year (20/09/2017 at 2pm, Thiry, Opéra, Liège)
• Regular interactive in-class grammar tests + 4 interactive online vocabulary tests (November, December, March & April)
• Written assignments

• Exercises on the vocabulary and grammar seen in Q1

• Exercises on the vocabulary and grammar seen in Q2
• Reading comprehension exercises based on an unseen text
• Writing exercises

• 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 2 marks: 1 mark for the group & 1 mark 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)

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Students can also train on-line. To do so, go to lol@ (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 20th, 2017 at 2pm in THIRY (Opéra, Liège).

Contacts

• Fanny NOVAKOVIC Fanny.Novakovic@ulg.ac.be
• Nathalie SCHRAEPEN N.Schraepen@ulg.ac.be
• Julien STEVENS julien.stevens@ulg.ac.be
• Andréa TUDINO andrea.tudino@ulg.ac.be
• Amaël VERBEURE Amael.Verbeure@ulg.ac.be
• ISLV office in Sart Tilman: level -1 in Bldg B33 (Trifac) 04 366 46 52

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