The course aims to achieve a B1+ level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in the following skills:
Reading and listening comprehension
Understanding materials related to the students' field of interest and discipline when the language is clearly articulated: identifying the structure of a document, distinguishing the main ideas from details, understanding simple technical information, and inferring the meaning of words from context.
Oral production (alone and in interaction)
Producing simple texts (with or without preparation) on familiar topics: describing an event in sufficient detail to be understood, expressing feelings and reactions, explaining a problem and suggesting solutions, developing a clear argument or explanation, being understood without difficulty most of the time and checking understanding through questions.
Written production
Writing clearly structured texts on a range of topics withing their field, linking a series of discrete elements in a logical sequence: reporting experiences, describing feelings and reactions, adopting a simple formal style, presenting the main ideas of a document clearly and coherently, and taking notes from a simple presentation, provided the topic is familiar, the wording direct and the language clear.
The secondary school foreign language competence frameworks indicate that proficiency in English ranges from B1- to B1+ (depending on whether it is the first or second foreign language). The priority in “bloc 1” is to ensure that each student reaches a confirmed B1+ level by the end of “bloc 1” in the skills required for the Bachelor's degree exit profile: written, oral, and audio-visual comprehension; written and oral production. This course also serves as an introduction to formal and scientific English. By the end of the year, students should be able to:
Diagnostic test: A diagnostic test is available on Webcampus at the beginning of the academic year. Certain skills (reading, listening, vocabulary and grammar) are tested according to the CEFR descriptors. On the basis of the result of this test, students who do not have the required level (B1) are referred to a remedial module.
Course MELVB104: Semester 1 + 2 This course is open to all (including those who take the remediation module). The course is divided into 4 modules:
1) Module 1 - University Life: talking about one's new environment + becoming familiar with the academic register
2) Module 2 - It's not Rocket Science: introduction to science popularisation
3) Module 3 - Let's Talk about Science: introduction to the reading skills needed to read scientific texts and write summaries
4) Module 4 - Budding Researchers: introduction to the scientific English genre through the work of simplified research articles in English.
See course notes.
The final grade for the course is calculated as follows:
A) Continuous Assessment (60%)
At the end of each module, students must submit a final assignment and take a grammar/vocabulary test related to the module content.
The final assignments must comply with the guidelines provided in class. Failure to comply with these guidelines will result in a failing grade.
B) Oral Assessment (outside of the exam period; 20%)
The oral assessment will consist of an informal conversation with the professor about the student’s first year at university (see Module 1), their experience with the "It's Not Rocket Science" project (see Module 2), and their opinions on the topics covered in the texts and videos discussed in class (see Modules 3 and 4).
C) Written Assessment of Linguistic Knowledge (outside of the exam period; 20%)
The oral assessment will be preceded by a short written evaluation aimed at confirming the student's mastery of linguistic knowledge.
According to Article 79 §1 of the “Décret Paysage”, all learning activities conducted in Q1 must be assessed. The grade given in January reflects the student’s progress in Modules 1 and 2.
Note: The final grade for the course will only be validated if the student meets all of the following conditions:
If these conditions are not met, the student will receive a failing grade for the MELVB104 course unit.
For the following session (September): If the overall average for the academic year does not reach 10/20, each student must retake the parts for which they did not obtain a 10/20.
The final grade for the August session is calculated as follows:
A) Continuous Assessment (written or oral tasks related to the modules) – 30%
B) Oral Assessment – 20%
C) Written Assessment of Linguistic Knowledge – 50%
Note: The final grade for the course will only be validated if the student meets all of the following conditions:
If these conditions are not met, the student will receive a failing grade for the MELVB104 unit.
Exemption: Exemption from the course is possible only with the presentation of an official document proving proficiency in all five skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking, and interaction) at a minimum level of B1+ on the Common European Framework of Reference scale. This exemption must be requested from the department’s jury as well as the course instructor.
Attention: Please note that passing this unit does not result in any linguistic certification.
The documents needed to follow the course are available on WebCampus.
Vocabulary book: Stuart Redman. English Vocabulary in Use - Pre Intermediate/Intermediate 4th edition. Cambridge University Press (2017).
Application to improve English pronunciation: Flowchase
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelier en sciences biomédicales | Standard | 0 | 2 | |
| Bachelier en sciences biomédicales | Standard | 1 | 2 |