Learning outcomes

  • 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

The objective of this teaching unit is to enable students to achieve a linguistic competence level between B1+ and B2, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The emphasis will primarily be on developing receptive skills at the B2 level while progressing towards the B2 level in productive skills. This progression towards the B2 level will be consolidated in Bloc 3.

Content

To achieve the defined objectives, this course offers exercises aimed at improving reading and listening comprehension, as well as expanding general and scientific vocabulary. Students will also have to actively participate in small group conversations and write short written productions. Additionally, a review of basic grammar will also part of the course material.

Teaching methods

Since the course is based on the flipped classroom principle, preparatory exercises should be completed before each class. Completing the preparations and actively participating in class are therefore essential.

In addition to the preparations to be done before coming to class, certain topics (especially grammar and vocabulary) will need to be studied independently.

Furthermore, additional exercises and supplementary tools will be provided through reference books and/or the WebCampus platform to allow students to practice.

Assessment method

  1. Written Exam in January (40%)

  • ​Listening and/or reading comprehension exercises based on material related to the topics covered in the first semester
  • Questions on vocabulary and grammar covered in the course and studied independently in the first semester.
  1. Continuous Assessment during the second semester (40%)
  • Writing a short written production (in person) on a defined scientific topic (20%).
  • Mini-presentation on a defined scientific topic (20%).

  1. Oral Exam in June (20%)

  • Discussion based on a portfolio.
  1. August/September session

    If a student does not achieve an overall average of 10/20 in June, he/she will have to retake the parts in which he/she failed in the August/September session. It is important to note that if a part of the assessment that was below 10/20 in June is not retaken in August/September, the grade for that part will not be retained, and a score of 0 will be assigned.

Please be aware that for both the June and August/September sessions, students must have completed all parts of the assessment and cannot fail in more than two different parts in order to pass the course. If a student obtains an average of 10/20 with three failing grades or did not complete one of the assessment components, a symbolic grade of 9/20 will be assigned.

Sources, references and any support material

Sue Blattes, Véronique Jans, Jonathan Upjohn, Minimum Competence in Scientific English, EDP Sciences, 2013

John Eastwood, Oxford Practice Grammar, Intermediate, with answers and CD-Rom, Oxford

Materials available on the WebCampus page: SELVB205 - English II (B1+/B2)

Language of instruction

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