· 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 within 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:
· Discuss their university environment and write a formal email.
· Process documents with a scientific focus (simplified or not) with the goal of either popularizing a scientific concept or presenting a summary of it.
Diagnostic test: September
A diagnostic test is available on Webcampus at the start of the academic year. Certain skills (reading, listening, vocabulary and grammar) are tested according to CEFR descriptors.
Based on the results of this test, students who do not have the required level (B1) are referred to a remedial module.
Course MCDL103: Semesters 1 + 2
This course is open to all students.
The course is divided into 4 modules:
1) Module 1 - University Life: talking about your new environment + familiarising yourself with the academic register
2) Module 2 - Popular Science: introduction to science popularisation
3) Module 3 - Let's Talk about Science: introduction to the reading techniques needed to read scientific texts and write summaries
4) Module 4 - Budding Researchers: introduction to the scientific English genre by working on simplified research articles in English.
See coursebook.
The course is delivered face-to-face in small student groups. It takes the form of interactive seminars conducted in English and is structured around four modules, each concluding with a certificate assessment. Attendance is mandatory. Each course includes opportunities to work on both oral and written production. The objectives and activities are aligned with the philosophy of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Language communication is developed by addressing linguistic (vocabulary, syntax, phonology), sociolinguistic (social markers, politeness rules, etc.), and pragmatic (organization, adaptation, discourse structure) skills necessary for the target tasks. The course encompasses more than just linguistic knowledge.
A) 1st semester: continuous assessment (30%)
Module 1 (15%): - an email to a professor
- grammar/vocabulary test 1 (module 1)*
Module 2 (15%): - a 2-minute video** describing a concept in your field for high-school students
- grammar/vocabulary test 2 (modules 1 + 2)
B) 2nd semester: continuous assessment (30%) + oral exam (40%)
Module 3 (15%): - a 100-word summary of a science magazine article
- grammar/vocabulary test 3 (modules 1 + 2 + 3)
Module 4 (15%): - grammar/vocabulary test 4 (modules 1 + 2 + 3 + 4)
Oral exam (May - 40%): The oral exam will consist of an informal discussion with your teacher about (1) your first year at uni (module 1), (2) popular science (module 2) and (3) your opinion on the texts and videos covered in class (modules 3 and 4). We will also check your pronunciation by asking you to read a list of words (taken from the vocabulary covered throughout the year).
NB: En tant qu’étudiants de 1ère année, vous avez la possibilité de remédier à un échec obtenu lors du 1er semestre (cfr A) et dès lors de représenter les tâches et les tests du module 1 et 2 auxquels vous auriez échoué. Cette possibilité vous sera offerte en fin de 2ème quadrimestre.
* The grammar/vocabulary tests will cover the vocabulary units listed under the self-study section and the grammar and vocabulary covered in class (course notes, videos and texts). More specifically, you will be asked to: (1) identify and correct mistakes (vocabulary, grammar and style) in sentences/paragraphs and (2) complete sentences with the appropriate word (vocabulary, grammar and style).
For any assignment handed in late or which does not respect the guidelines, you will lose 2 points out of 10. We will not accept any late submissions once the next module has started; you will thus get a 0/10.
**Le recours à un tiers ou à une intelligence artificielle (logiciel de traduction compris) pour l’écriture du script est formellement interdit et sera passible de sanctions sévères.
August session
You will only have to retake the parts for which you did not get at least 10/20 (continuous assessment and/or oral exam).
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).
Both will be available at the university's sales outlets.
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Pharmacy | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Bachelor in Pharmacy | Standard | 1 | 3 |