English Language 1

Duration

30h Th, 60h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

An Van linden

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

All year long, with partial in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Although theory and practice cannot be dissociated in language learning, they will be covered separately, for the sake of organization.
(1) Lectures (1h per week): the main grammar areas (grammatical rank scale, basic clause types, sentence types, the use of articles, subject-verb agreement, tense and aspect, modal auxiliaries, passive voice, non-finite clauses, relative clauses, conditional constructions) will be taught systematically, without losing sight of actual language use. The lectures introduce linguistic terminology and explain the use of grammatical structures, making students play an active part in their learning process as much as possible. In addition to basic grammar, a number of lectures are devoted to phonology, phonetics and phonetic transcription (using the international phonetic alphabet) as well as writing skills (how to develop a line of argument).
(2) Practicals:
(a) grammar exercises (1h per week) in smaller groups: for each session students will need to prepare a certain number of pages before coming to class
(b) conversation classes (1h per week) in smaller groups: focus on pronunciation, overall speaking and reading comprehension skills (non-literary texts will be provided), building arguments to use in a debate
Attendance of the three components is obligatory. For the conversation classes, attendance will affect your overall course grade. Students who attend at least half of these classes obtain 5% of the overall course grade. Those who attend fewer than half of the classes lose this 5%. Medical certificates will be accepted. Justified absence will not count as attendance, but will decrease the total number of classes taken into account.
In addition to this work done in class, students are also expected to work on their own. Such self-study is of the utmost importance and should be done on a daily basis. It includes:

• Preparing the grammar chapters to be discussed in the grammar lectures
• Preparing the written exercises and the texts (which implies the use of a monolingual dictionary)
• Systematic vocabulary learning in English Vocabulary in Use (Upper-intermediate) (Cambridge University Press) (including pronunciation)
• Daily listening comprehension practice, by listening to BBC Radio 4, for example. We recommend students to record and transcribe interesting programmes (with the help of a dictionary).
• Systematic study of English pronunciation (stress, spelling, etc.) and of the international phonetic alphabet
• Reading the English-speaking press as much as possible. Many newspapers are now accessible on-line.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Students should acquire an advanced level of proficiency in English, both oral and written (emphasis on the four language skills). The targeted command of English implies an in-depth study of English grammar and vocabulary, as well as the ability to use the language effectively. In addition, students have to be able to explain the use of the grammatical categories discussed in the grammar lectures in authentic language data.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Good knowledge of English, and some basic linguistic terminology.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Three hours of classes a week, organized as detailed under the heading of 'Learning unit contents' above.
 
In addition to these three hours, additional (optional) activities are organized:
Ms Muner teaches classes offering help with the grammar exercises in French.
Ms Emonds and Ms Leroy offer pronunciation tutorials, in which student output will be audio recorded to help students recognize their own mistakes.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Face-to-face. 30 h th. + 60 h ex. (first and second terms).
Students are not allowed to use digital devices (like smartphones or laptops) in class, except for students with special needs.
 

Recommended or required readings

Lecture notes and exercises will be available at the start of the academic year. We will also use the following books:
Grammar: John Eastwood, Oxford Learner's Grammar: Grammar Finder, Oxford University Press, 2005.
Vocabulary: Michael McCarthy and Felicity O'Dell, English Vocabulary In Use (Upper-intermediate), 4th edition, Cambridge University Press, 2017.
Dictionary: Collins Cobuild Dictionary, HarperCollins, 2006. (English only)
 
Among French-language reference works, we can recommend the following grammar book and dictionary:
Berland-Delépine, La grammaire anglaise de l'étudiant, new edition Ophrys, 2000.
Robert et Collins Senior anglais-français / français-anglais, Le Robert, 2010.

Assessment methods and criteria

I. Obligatory assessments:
Partial exam in January, written only, consisting of:

• Vocabulary and grammar exercises
• A multiple choice questionnaire on the grammar lectures
• A multiple choice questionnaire on phonetics/phonology/phonetic transcription

• Vocabulary and grammar exercises: 25%
• A writing assignment: 20%
• A multiple choice questionnaire on the grammar lectures: 15%
• Unless one is exempted, a multiple choice questionnaire on phonetics/phonology/phonetic transcription: 5%

• Pronunciation: students will have to read a stretch of running text
• Speaking skills: students will have to answer questions on everyday topics (hobbies, media, lifestyle, environment, politics). They will have to prepare a series of texts on which the questions will be based.
• Explaining grammar: students will have to analyse a corpus example and explain the use of a certain grammatical element (e.g. basic clause type, NPs, use of tense and/or aspectual value

• Vocabulary and grammar exercises: tests in September and March
• Writing assignments: take-home assignment involving developing a line of argument in response to a given text in November; students will receive corrective feedback, and the opportunity to revise and resubmit their assignment in February.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

See above

Contacts

Course Coordinator An VAN LINDEN Département de Langues modernes ULiège Bât. A2, bureau 6/16 Place Cockerill, 3-5 B-4000 Liège Tel. 04 366 53 60 E-mail: an.vanlinden@uliege.be
Assistants Sarah EMONDS Tel. 04 366 54 37 E-mail: s.emonds@uliege.be
Céline LEROY Tel. 04 366 90 38 E-mail: c.leroy@uliege.be
Daria TUNCA Tel. 04 366 53 44 E-mail: dtunca@uliege.be
Assistant pédagogique Dominique MUNER E-mail: dmuner@uliege.be
Lectrice Rebecca ROMDHANI Tel. 04 366 54 37 E-mail: rashworth@uliege.be
Secretary Martine DELAVIGNETTE Tel. 04 366 53 96
 

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

• The grammar lectures (1h per week) are replaced with podcasts, i.e. video clips showing the PowerPoint presentation with voice-over narration. As usual, the slides are also made available on eCampus.
• For the grammar exercises (1h per week), keys to the exercises in the syllabus are provided on eCampus, as well as video clips that explain the correct solutions.
• The face-to-face conversation classes (1h per week) have been cancelled. The last class for which attendance was taken into account is that of 3rd March 2020. Remote conversation classes, which are optional, will be offered after the Easter break via Collaborate.

Assessment subjects

All the material covered in the (face-to-face as well as online) grammar lectures and the grammar exercises will be examined in the remote exam, as well as writing skills and as a set of vocabulary sections:

• Course notes An introduction to English grammar + slides + podcasts
• Specific sections of John Eastwood, Oxford Learner's Grammar: Grammar Finder, 2005 (see eCampus/Practical information)
• Specific sections of Michael McCarthy and Felicity O'Dell, English Vocabulary in Use: Upper-intermediate, 4th edition (see p. i of syllabus)
• Exercises in the syllabus Langue anglaise I: exercices
• Modules on writing skills

Assessment methods

No oral exams will be organized, nor will the written exam include an MCQ on phonology and phonetics.
A remote written exam will be organized in May/June on eCampus, consisting of three components, accounting for:

• Vocabulary and grammar exercises in closed-book format: 35%
• A writing assignment in closed-book format: 30%
• A multiple choice questionnaire on the grammar lectures in open-book format: 30%

Contacts

(see above)

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

See the information given for the May-June 2020 session.

Assessment methods

See the information given for the May-June 2020 session.

Contacts

See the information given for the May-June 2020 session.