Learning outcomes

(a) To invite students to read and listen to current English as well as to write and speak the language so as to consolidate at least level B1+ for productive skills and level B2 for receptive skills, as defined by the Council of Europe in its Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (b) Introduction to the use of written and electronic reference works; vocabulary; grammar practice; to make students aware of the main differences between English and French grammar

Goals

Across topics related to language (and the English language) in the world, and broader questions of anglophone culture (for instance, the position of English as a world language, the 'how' and 'why' of paper vs. electronic dictionaries, or the landmark political events in the UK over the past ten years), develop the active knowledge of English, so as to stimulate receptive and productive skills. 

In terms of the Common European Framework of Reference, the proficiency level aimed for is at least level B1+ for productive skills; and level B2 for receptive skills.

(N.B. Le niveau prérequis en langue anglaise, en début d'UE, est le niveau B1, conformément aux référentiels pour les socles de compétences en langues modernes dans l'enseignement secondaire général (4h/sem). Toutefois, nous soutiendrons les étudiant.e.s ne disposant pas de ce niveau dans leurs démarches pour atteindre celui-ci.)

Content

(a) Practice in the four linguistic skills will concentrate on the following activities: - Improvement of pronunciation and intonation - Listening comprehension - Conversation exercises - Basic writing skills (sentence and paragraph level; précis writing) (b) - Introduction to the use of written and electronic sources which can help improve one's proficiency level (dictionaries, grammars, corpora, online exercises, etc.) - Vocabulary acquisition: selection of chapters from English Vocabulary in Use: Upper-intermediate (self-study + exercises) - Contrastive exercises - Contrastive exercises - Analysis of samples of English written by French learners.

In terms of contents, the main parts of the course focus on (i) issues of language policy and diversity (English as a global language, multilingualism in Europe, language death) in the part focusing on reading skills; (ii) the origins of words and phrases and the past and future of dictionary-compiling in the part focusing on listening skills.

Table of contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface 2

Part one: Using reference works 5

1 Introduction to printed and electronic reference works 5

2 The basic vocabulary of English: “The Oxford 3000” 13

3 OALD worksheets 14

Part two: Reading and writing 20

1 Reading: Some basic skills and tips 20

1.1 Possible pitfalls 20

1.2 Guessing unknown words 21

1.3 Understanding complicated sentences 23

2 Writing: Some basic skills and tips 28

2.1 Sentences and paragraphs 28

2.2 Writing e-mails 32

2.3 Précis writing 34

3 Reading comprehension: Language 37

3.1 English is coming 38

3.2 God’s worst linguists 45

3.3 When nobody understands 52

3.4 Franglais resurgent 63

3.5 Poems on language 67

3.6 Language conversation 74

4 Further texts for reading 78

Part three: Listening and speaking 112

1 Pronunciation: Text for diagnostic test 112

2 Oral presentations: Some basic skills and tips 113

2.1 Useful expressions 113

2.2 Structuring an oral presentation 117

2.3 Evaluation criteria and tips 119

3 Listening comprehension: Some useful sources 122

4 Listening comprehension: Hunting for the meaning of words 123

4.1 Balderdash and Piffle 123

4.2 Redefining the dictionary: Erin McKean’s TED talk 133

5 Listening comprehension: British politics 137

5.1 Adversarial politics 137

5.2 Whipping 148

Part four: Grammar and usage 153

1 Common errors 153

2 Grammar practice: Adjectives, tense and modals 158

2.1 Adjectives 158

2.2 Tense 164

2.3 Modals 170

3 Contrastive grammar notes: The noun phrase and the verb phrase 176

Part five: Study guide 194

1 Self-study: False friends 194

2 Self-study: Vocabulary in use 195

3 Information about the exams 195

Assessment method

(a) Continuous assessment based on pronunciation and conversation tests, reading, writing and listening exercises, and participation in class (b) Partly written, partly oral exam on vocabulary, translation, basic grammar, and the contents of texts and video and audio excerpts used in class

Weighting of the different course components:

Note: The weighted average of the different course components does not automatically correspond to the final mark for this course. As this is a language proficiency course, each student is expected to obtain an acceptable level in the different receptive and productive linguistic skills. No mark lower than 8/20 will be tolerated; in addition, across the different results at most two 9/20, or, exceptionally, a combination of an 8 and a 9/20, will be tolerated. Below these norms, the final mark will be determined by consensus between the different teachers involved in this course.

  • Written exam on the lectures: 4/20
  • Written exam on normative grammar: 2/20
  • Written exam on vocabulary: 2/20
  • Reading comprehension and précis writing exam: 2/20
  • Oral exam on the lectures: 4/20
  • Conversation exam: 2/20
  • Listening comprehension exam: 2/20
  • Oral (group) presentation: 2/20

Sources, references and any support material

  • Murphy, Raymond (2019) English grammar in use. 5th edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 
  • Lea, Diana and Jennifer Bradbery (eds.) (2020) Oxford advanced learner’s dictionary of current English. 10th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 
  • McCarthy, Michael and Felicity O’Dell (2017) English vocabulary in use: Upper-intermediate. 4th edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Vandelanotte, Lieven (2017) The ins and outs of English: Practising interpretive and expressive skills. University of Namur.

Language of instruction

Français