The course aims to achieve level B1(+) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in the following skills:
Written and oral reception: Can understand material related to their field of interest and discipline if the language is clearly articulated; identifying the structure of a document, distinguishing main ideas from details, understanding simple technical information and inferring the meaning of a word from its context.
Oral production (Monologue and in interaction) : Can produce a simple text with connectors (with or without preparation) on familiar topics and areas of interest, recall an event in details, describe their feelings and reactions, explain a problem and present solutions, develop a clear argument/explanation and be understood without difficulty most of the time, check by asking questions whether they have been understood.
Written production: Can write simply articulated texts on a range of topics in their field, linking a series of elements in a linear sequence; report experience, describe feelings and reactions, adopt a simple formal style, present the main ideas of a document clearly and coherently, and take notes in a simple presentation, provided the topic is familiar, the formulation direct and the enunciation clear in everyday language.
The secondary school frameworks state that the level of proficiency in English is between B1- and B1+ (depending on the first or second foreign language). The priority of Block 1 is to enable each student to be confirmed at the end of Block 1 in a B1+ level in the selected skills for the Bachelor's degree exit profile: written, oral and audio-visual reception; written and oral production. This course also serves as an introduction to formal and scientific English. At the end of the year, students should be able to talk about their university environment, write a formal email to a professor, and process documents with a scientific coloration (simplified or not) with the aim of either popularising a scientific concept or presenting a summary of it.
Start of the course: DIAGNOSTIC TEST
A diagnostic test is available on Webcampus and compulsory for all students. Some 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 contacted and advised to follow a remedial module (ENSTARTER on WebCampus)
SELVB102
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 - Popular 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 WebCampus
Your final grade will only be validated if you have met ALL of the following conditions:
1. Presented all the different parts of the course (this includes all final tasks AND all the vocabulary/grammar tests planned throughout the year.
2. You have at least 10/20 for the continuous assessment AND final assessment.
Otherwise, a maximum grade of 6/20 will be assigned.
1. Continuous assessment (60%)
At the end of each module, you are expected to hand in a final task and take a grammar/vocabulary test.
Module 1 (15%): - an e-mail to a professor
- grammar/vocabulary test 1
Module 2 (15%): - a 3-minute video describing a concept in your field for high-school students
- grammar/vocabulary test 2
Module 3 (15%): - a 150-word summary of a science magazine article
- grammar/vocabulary test 3
Module 4 (15%): - a 1-minute pitch of a research article
- grammar/vocabulary test 4
Late submissions are not accepted; in that case you would get a 0/10 for that task.
The grammar/vocabulary tests will cover (1) the vocabulary units listed under the self-study section of each module and (2) the grammar and vocabulary covered in class (course notes, videos and texts).
2. Final evaluation (May; 40%)
The speaking assessment will consist of an informal discussion about a topic covered during the year. We will also check you pronunciation by asking you to read a list of words (taken from the vocabulary covered throughout the year).
The final grammar/vocabulary test will consist of editing exercises based on the vocabulary, grammar and writing tasks you worked on throughout the year. More specifically, you will be asked to:
identify and correct mistakes (vocabulary, grammar and style) in sentences/paragraphs.
complete sentences with the appropriate word (vocabulary, grammar and style).
August session
You will only have to retake the parts for which you did not get at least 10/20 (continuous assessment, speaking assessment and/or final grammar/vocabulary assessment).
Warning : please note that the success of this teaching unit does not lead to certification.
The documents needed to follow the course are available on WebCampus.
- Stuart Redman. English Vocabulary in Use - Pre Intermediate/Intermediate 4th edition. Cambridge University Press (2017).
- Application to improve English pronunciation (optional): Flowchase
Both will be available at the university's sales outlets.
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Chemistry | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Bachelor in Chemistry | Standard | 1 | 3 |