English I

Teacher(s)

Cipolla Gerlanda; Ferrari Sebastiano; Fontana Milena; Longrée Françoise (coordinator); Temmerman Tanja (coordinator);

Language

English

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

The aim of this course is to push the students forward to a B1(+) level as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Basically, this means that by the end of the year, the student will be able to express him/herself orally and in writing using simple but clear sentences, getting the message across. The interactive lessons as well as the home assignments will help the student master the language at a basic lexical and grammatical level of communication. Different skills will be strengthened: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. The course is open to all, even if an A2 level is recommended in order to participate in the course.

Content

- Interactive classes on basic communication in English.
- Basic grammar revision (self-study). A grammar tutorial is available 1h/week (optional in term 1, but compulsory in term 2 (if the grade in December is below 10/20)).

Chapters on the following topics:
- Socialising
- Pronunciation
- Figures and Numbers
- Telephoning
- Writing Professional Emails
- Phrasal Verbs
- False friends
- Connectives
- Persuasive Language (used during a presentation)
- The Press in English
- …

Teaching methods

ANGL1192 – Q1 (15h)
ANGL1192 – Q2 (15h)
*Interactive course: communicative and interactive approach.
One hour of compulsory English class per week, complemented with an optional grammar tutorial of one hour per week. 
     The classroom hours (interactive) are essentially dedicated to speaking, writing and listening, focused on everyday situations (useful English) and the news (the press in English). 
     The grammar tutorial is strongly recommended to all students facing difficulties with basic grammar (and in need of explanations and additional grammar exercises guided by a teacher).  A test is organised during the first class of terms 1 and 2 which allows the students to know their level. 
Students who are strong in English can be exempted from the English course after passing an exemption test with at least 16/20. The exemption test will be organized online via the ELAO platform in September. This test will confirm (or not) the student's level in English and will allow the student to be exempted (or not). Students who obtain a sufficiently high score on the ELAO test (minimum general level B1(75) in 40 minutes) can be exempted from the English course. The test is organized only once, at the start of the academic year. Details on how to register for the exemption test will be published on the university website.  

Evaluation methods

It is important to notice that this course is based on continuous assessment throughout the year: the students need to be active during the interactive courses. Their participation, regular attendance, knowledge of the vocabulary, mastery of the oral exercises, etc., are assessed throughout the year. The home assignments required by the teacher must be done thoroughly. They are part of regular assessment and are part of the final evaluation.  There is no exam in the January exam session, nor in the June exam session. The final grade is based on different oral and written tests, as well as continuous assessment, organised throughout the year (with exams organised off session).  - Oral component     - Continuous assessment: participation and involvement, home assignments, preparation, … (Q1 and Q2)    - The News Panel (oral exam in groups, off session, towards the end of Q1)    - Persuasive Language (to be used for a presentation, group exam, off session, towards the end of Q2) - Written component Basic grammar (self-study), vocabulary, writing, reading, and listening.  The written evaluation is based on continuous assessment (home assignments) and four tests (November, December, March and May).  The grade is split between the tests: the basic grammar represents +/-55-60%, vocabulary, writing, reading, and listening represent +/- 40-45%. - Weight of Q1-Q2 The final result is obtained by adding the Q1 (40%) and Q2 (60%) marks: Q1: 40% - oral exam in December (off session): The News Panel (in groups, individual mark) = 10% - written tests = 30% (November test = 10%, December Exam (off session) = 20%) This part of the course is passed with a grade of 10/20 or higher for the full year.  The students who do not pass the Q1 tests and exams will have to do so in May (catch-up exams off session)/September (during session). Q2: 60% - continuous assessment throughout the whole academic year: participation and involvement, home assignments, preparation (written and/or oral) = 10% - oral exam in May (off session): persuasive language (to be used during a presentation, in groups, individual mark) = 20% - written tests = 30% (March test = 10%, May exam (off session) = 20%) This part of the course is passed with a grade of 10/20 or higher for the full year. - Reading a book (15% of the TOTAL grade)  The students have to read the following book: Nervous Conditions, Tsitsi Dangarembga, 2004 Edition: Ayebia Clarke Publishing, 224pp. ISBN-10: 0954702336 ISBN-13: 978-0954702335 At the end of the second term, in May (off session exam), the students will also be assessed on the content of this book (multiple-choice questions, on MOODLE). The students have to bring their copy of the book to the exam. This part of the course is passed with a grade of 10/20 or higher for the full year. At the end of the year, in the June session, the student receives one single mark for the whole year, based on the aforementioned distribution. If the student did not obtain a satisfactory global mark in June (minimum 10/20), they will have to retake the unsatisfactory component(s) (either Q1 or Q2 / or Q1+Q2) in August (during session).  If they want to know which part(s) of their English exams they need to retake in August, they should contact their teacher during the exam review and feedback (consultations des copies) in July. - Absences to one or several written and oral exams The student must take all oral and written exams.   The exams/tests for which the student was absent will have to be retaken in the following session. There is no catch-up during the same session. - Catch-up exams The catch-up exams are organised in May (off session) / September (during session) : same grade weight, but continuous assessment is no longer taken into account. Use of generative artificial intelligence (or any other online tool, e.g. translators, spelling and grammar checkers, ...)  If the student chooses to use one or more AIs (or any other online tool), they must systematically indicate all the parts in which these tools were used, e.g. in footnotes. The student should specify whether the AI was used to search for information, to write the text, or to improve or correct it. The student should also mention which AI (or other online tool) was used (ChatGPT, Bing, Bard, Chatsonic, DeepL, etc.) and the date on which it was used. Information sources must be systematically cited in accordance with bibliographic referencing standards. The student remains responsible for the content of their work, regardless of the sources used. In order to ensure that the student's written work is personal, criteria such as originality, critical thinking, creativity and illustration with examples (e.g. from their own experience) will be taken into account.  Any behavior on the part of the student that prevents or attempts to prevent, in whole or in part, the correct assessment of their knowledge, skills and/or competences will be considered an irregularity that may lead to sanctions.

Other information

An A2 level is recommended in order to participate in the course.
It is imperative that students consult Moodle at least once a week and that they read ALL announcements. 

Participation to the interactive courses is compulsory.
3 unjustified absences are permitted during the year. 
However, if the student is absent during a written or oral test, the grade will be 0 (0A) for this test if the absence is not justified (medical certificate or force majeure). 
In excess of these three absences, each new absence will need to be justified by a medical certificate or by a duly substantiated written justification. If not justified, any additional absences shall be penalised in the mark for continuous assessment (10%) of June (Q2).

Online resources

Moodle page: the students have to register themselves on the Moodle page for the course Anglais I - BANGL1191: https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=6334

Bibliography

Nervous Conditions, Tsitsi Dangarembga, 2004
Edition: Ayebia Clarke Publishing, 224pp.
ISBN-10: 0954702336
ISBN-13: 978-0954702335

Teaching materials

• Syllabus BANGL1191-1192 2023-2024 (syllabus commun pour BANGL1191 et BANGL1192) - Partie 1 : « Communicating in English I » (Q1)
• Syllabus BANGL1191-1192 2023-2024 (syllabus commun pour BANGL1191 et BANGL1192) - Partie 2 : « Communicating in English II » (Q2)
• Syllabus "Basic English Grammar"

Faculty or entity

ESPB