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2025-2026 / LANG0085-1

Basic English for Computing

Duration

4h Th, 36h Pr

Number of credits

 Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science4 crédits 

Lecturer

Daphné Bui, Sabrina D'Arconso, David Vanmanshoven

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course includes the following:

  • Reading texts on computer science
  • Listening to recordings dealing with ICT-related topics
  • Introduction to the vocabulary of computing
  • Grammatical revision and consolidation exercises.
Level B1-B2 (reading, listening, speaking and writing).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The dual purpose of the course is 

  • to consolidate and extend the student's general language understanding and use, and
  • to introduce the specific features of English for computing.

    This is done in the four language skills, namely reading, speaking, writing and listening.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Good knowledge of basic English vocabulary and grammar (intermediate level).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

The in-class course is taught to about 30 students weekly in the second semester.

Students will be asked to give a short oral presentation on an IT-related topic.
They will also have to complete a writing assignment that will be marked and take some listening comprehension tests. Students will be required to do online grammar exercises on GABi (interactive grammar modules) available on eCampus (self-learning).  The oral presentation and the other tasks (continuous assessment of work) will account for 20% of the final mark in May/June AND August/September. 

In accordance with Article 64 of the General Regulations for Studies and Examinations (RGEE), work carried out during the teaching periods (essays, oral presentations, group projects, etc.), and whose marks are included in the calculation of the final mark, is only organized once per academic year. For pedagogical and practical reasons-notably, continuous evaluation, specific supervision, group work, classroom interaction, and the practical organization of presentations-these assessments cannot be repeated in the second session. The grade obtained for this work is considered to be tied to each exam session and is therefore retained for the calculation of the final grade in both the first and second sessions.

The oral presentation is a compulsory learning activity, scheduled exclusively during class hours, in front of an audience made up of the other students. The purpose of this exercise is to assess oral communication skills in an authentic context, which necessarily involves interaction with an audience. A presentation given outside class hours or without an audience cannot meet these conditions and therefore cannot be considered valid. Consequently, any student who is absent on the scheduled day of their presentation will not be granted another opportunity to present outside the class periods reserved for this purpose.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

-Coursebook Basic English for Computing (2025-2026) compulsory.

-If necessary, students can also purchase the Grammaire anglaise de base (with exercises and key) ISLV, written in French. It is available on the Sart Tilman campus (Presses universitaires).

-A remedial grammar coursebook (with exercises and key) is also available on eCampus.

-GABi (eCampus)

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

Continuous assessment


Further information:

 

  • Written exam: reading and listening comprehension exercises, grammar and vocabulary, writing exercise/open-ended questions (+ continuous assessment of work; see section mode of delivery).

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Considering the significant differences between students, the limited in-class teaching time and the number of students per group, self-learning and remedial work should be given due attention.

Regarding the use of language-generating artificial intelligence:

Unless specific instructions are given by the teacher within the framework of well-defined activities, the ULiège Charter on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Academic Work applies.

Please note that a placement test is held during the first week of classes. Students who hold a CAE/C1 Advanced or FCE/B2 First certificate (the latter with grade A or B), a TOEFL iBT (minimum score 87), or an IELTS (minimum score 4.5) are exempt from this test and, potentially, from the English course, provided they present their certificate before the test.

Based on the test results, students who achieve a score of 16/20 may be exempted from class attendance, but NOT from the various assignments and the exam.

Contacts

Daphné BUI - daphne.bui@uliege.be (ISLV)

Sabrina D'ARCONSO - sdarconso@uliege.be (ISLV)

David VANMANSHOVEN - david.vanmanshoven@uliege.be (ISLV)

Association of one or more MOOCs