The overall aim of ECDLB395 English III is to achieve the general level of competence B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). On the French version of this page (which is available on request to the course coordinator), excerpts can be found from the different indicators and main criteria; please refer to the relevant pages in the Companion Volume with new descriptors for more details.
Listening comprehension
General listening comprehension (p. 58):
Can understand standard spoken language, whether live or broadcast, on both familiar and unfamiliar topics normally encountered in personal, social, academic, or professional life. Only very loud background noise, an ill-structured discourse, or the use of idiomatic expressions may hinder comprehension.
Can grasp the main ideas of complex speech, both in terms of content and form, on concrete or abstract topics in standard language, including technical discussions in their area of specialisation.
Can follow a presentation of some length involving complex reasoning, provided the subject matter is fairly familiar and the overall structure is signposted with explicit markers.
Reading comprehension
General reading comprehension (p. 63):
Can read with a high degree of independence, adjusting reading style and speed according to different texts and purposes, and making selective use of appropriate reference materials. Possesses a wide and active reading vocabulary, though may encounter difficulties with less common expressions.
Audiovisual reception (p. 69)
Reception strategies (p. 70)
Oral production
General oral production (p. 72):
Can systematically develop a presentation or description, highlighting key points and relevant details.
Can give a detailed description or presentation on a wide range of subjects within their field of interest, developing and justifying ideas with subsidiary points and relevant examples.
Written production
General written production (p. 78):
Can produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects related to their interests, synthesising and evaluating information and arguments from a variety of sources.
Production strategies (e.g. planning, compensating, monitoring, and revising) will be employed in order to meet the objectives of level B1.
Oral interaction
General oral interaction (p. 86):
Can use the language fluently, accurately, and effectively on a wide range of topics in general, academic, professional, and leisure contexts, clearly signalling the relationship between ideas. Can communicate spontaneously with good grammatical control, without appearing to limit what they wish to express, and with a degree of formality appropriate to the situation.
Can interact with such ease and spontaneity that sustained exchanges with native speakers are entirely possible without strain for either party. Can emphasise the personal relevance of events and experiences, state opinions, and defend them convincingly with explanations and arguments.
Written interaction
General written interaction (p. 96):
Can convey information and express points of view in writing, while also responding to those of others.
A range of interaction strategies (e.g. turn-taking, cooperating, asking for clarification) will be employed to achieve the above objectives.
It is important to note that not all of these skills will be addressed equally. While oral production will be the principal focus of the lessons, the other aspects of language competence will also be developed, at times actively, at times more implicitly.
See above: general B2 proficiency level according to the CEFRL, with an emphasis on oral production skills and economics-related vocabulary.
Following on from ECDLB295 English II, this ECDLB395 English III course will cover a series of themes related to the wider business world, which will form the starting point for the activities in each lesson, with a general introduction followed by more in-depth exercises. The next lesson will often begin with a brief review of the previous week's theme. The activities, mainly oral in nature, will be accompanied by receptive activities (e.g. texts and videos) available on WebCampus, and will aim to ensure that students are able to express themselves accurately on a wide range of subjects relating to themselves and their specialities, while developing certain soft skills.
Past topics have included: entrepreneurship, CVs, trends, corporate social responsibility, customer service, hospitality, e-commerce, social media marketing, success, job interviews, presentation skills, building relationships, meeting skills, technical presentations. Care will be taken to ensure that topics previously covered in ECDLB295 English II are not repeated in ECDLB395 English III. Among the new main objectives to be achieved by the end of the assessment period, there will be repeated emphasis on preparing for job interviews in English (e.g. typical questions, effective answers), and the last lesson, which is compulsory for all students, will consist of a series of technical presentations in English about an economics-related research question.
Students are cordially invited to share their suggestions for themes and/or activities with the teacher, as well as any specific requests relating to their (future) place on the job market.
See the 'Content' section above.
The lessons will be given in a hybrid format, with 60% of the classes (i.e. 6 lessons) being given face-to-face and 40% of the classes (i.e. 4 lessons) on the Microsoft Teams platform. The proposed activities will take advantage of the lesson's format; for example, the remote lessons will make it easier for students to use IT resources. Students will be added to the ad hoc team in due course.
Regardless of the mode of lesson, an active teaching approach will be used, requiring students to participate effectively in the various exercises. The latter will mainly consist of interactive oral production tasks, in order to take advantage of the time spent in contact with other students; this will also improve group cohesion. The more receptive tasks, on the other hand, will be proposed as homework and will be used to prepare for classroom activities or to deepen skills, as well as to build a portfolio. Attendance and active participation in lessons can therefore be rewarded as part of the ongoing assessment (see below) if the student chooses to attend all lessons.
Students should be informed that the lessons' schedule for ECDLB395 English III lessons during the second term of the 2024-2025 academic year is available on WebCampus and ADE). They should make good note of each lesson's mode (i.e. physical or remote), and note that attending the last lesson will be compulsory, in order to hold their oral presentation.
Each lesson officially begins at 6.10 p.m. and ends at 9.10 p.m. However, in consultation with the students, it could be agreed to do away with the breaks and finish a little earlier.
The final grade (out of 20 points) will be calculated on the basis of an average that will take into account several components, according to a choice of pathway made by the student:
Route A (valuing attendance and participation in the course) :
Route B :
Students will be invited to make their choice of pathway by a date to be specified in due course; if there is no response, it will be assumed that the student has opted for pathway B.
These procedures and weightings will apply in both the first and second semesters.
Any student who does not deliver a technical presentation will receive an overall zero for the assessment in June or in August.
If the portfolio is incomplete and/or submitted late, a zero will be awarded for this component of the assessment. Failure to submit a portfolio at all will also mean that the student will not be able to present the oral examination, due to a lack of material to discuss.
All students are required to sit both the written and oral examinations; failure to do so will result in an overall zero for the final mark.
Warning : please note that the success of this teaching unit does not lead to certification.
No syllabus; resources will be posted on the WebCampus platform:
Other resources (particularly textual and audiovisual) will also be available on WebCampus.
The platform will also be used by students, in particular as part of the portfolio.
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Economics and Management (Evenings and Weekends Schedule) | Standard | 0 | 6 | |
| Bachelor in Economics and Management (Evenings and Weekends Schedule) | Standard | 3 | 6 |