Learning outcomes

The second-year course naturally follows the first-year course. In first-year, students reached the B1+ level and are now starting to work towards the B2 level. Receptive skills are emphasized at the B2 level, while productive skills remain at B1 but gradually shift towards B2, which will be confirmed in third year.

  • Reading Comprehension (B2): Students can autonomously read factual texts on topics related to their field and interests. They have a fairly extensive reading vocabulary, but may encounter difficulties with less common expressions.
  • Listening Comprehension (B2): Students can understand factual information on various topics or related to their specialized field. They can also grasp the main points of a lengthy presentation, lecture, or argument on a subject related to personal, academic, or professional life, as long as the spoken language is standard and articulation is clear.
  • Writing Production (B1+/B2): Students are capable of writing brief essays. They can confidently summarize a source of factual information on topics related to their field, report on it, and provide their opinion.
  • Oral Production (B1+/B2): Students can explain their point of view with some ease. They can also exchange information confidently on a wide range of factual topics related to their field. Finally, they can give a short, simple prepared presentation on a topic related to their specialty, with the main points explained precisely.

Goals

In this course, students will work with documents related to their field of study in order to (1) discuss them orally and (2) write a scientific magazine article as well as a research article abstract. Students will also develop their oral skills through conversation exercises and mini-presentations on scientific topics related to their field of study.

Content

Reading and listening comprehension will be developed using authentic documents (simplified or not) on specialized topics. Students will gradually become familiar with the "scientific" style (Scientific English).

Written production will be practiced through written tasks during the year, with the goal of producing a scientific magazine article and a research article abstract.

Students will work on oral production in class to (1) improve their skills and (2) prepare for the oral exam, where they will present a portfolio of scientific articles.

Teaching methods

The course is conducted in person with small groups of up to 30 students. It takes the form of interactive seminars in English and is structured around various modules.

Attendance is mandatory, and each session offers opportunities to practice both oral and written production.

The objectives and activities align with the philosophy of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Language communication is developed by focusing on linguistic (lexicon, syntax, phonology), sociolinguistic (social markers, politeness rules), and pragmatic (organization, adaptation, discourse structure) skills necessary for the targeted tasks. The course goes beyond just linguistic knowledge.

Assessment method

For the June session, the course is assessed both on the basis of continuous assessment throughout the year and a summative assessment during the June session.

  • Mandatory formative assessment: students must give two "student corner" oral presentations (one per term).
  • Continuous assessment (70%):
  • Written task Q1: writing a popular science magazine article (15%)
  • Written task Q2: writing a scientific abstract (35%)
  • Two grammar and vocabulary tests outside of exam periods, at the end of each term (20%)
  • Oral exam during the June session (30%): discussion based on a portfolio of scientific articles and a pronunciation exercise.

Students must present all parts of the assessment in order for the grade to be validated. Otherwise, a fail will be recorded.

For the following August/September session, if the overall average for the course unit does not reach 10/20 in June, each student must retake all parts for which they did not obtain at least 10/20. If a component graded below 10/20 in June is not retaken in August/September, the grade for that component is not carried forward, and a 0 is awarded for it.

The principle of absorbing fail (automatic 9/20) may nevertheless be applied in two specific cases:

  • If the student obtains an overall average of 10/20 or higher, but has a significant fail (grade below 8/20) in the weighted average of the two written tasks OR in the oral exam.
  • If the student obtains an overall average of 10/20 or higher, but fails (grade below 10/20) both the weighted average of the two written tasks AND the oral exam.

Important note: please note that passing this course unit does not lead to certification.

Sources, references and any support material

WebCampus Page: SELVB205 - Anglais 2

Grammar Book: Raymond Murphy. English Grammar in Use 4th edition. Cambridge University Press (2012) (optional)

Language of instruction

English
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Physics Standard 0 3
Bachelor in Physics Standard 2 3