English for Erasmus (intermediate level)

beras3031  2025-2026  Bruxelles Saint-Louis

English for Erasmus (intermediate level)
5.00 credits
30.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Language
English
Learning outcomes

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

The aim of this course of Intermediate English is to push the students forward to an “Independent” level B1,B1+.
The interactive courses as well as the home assignments will help the student be competent with the language at a lexical level but also with different skills: emphasis will be put on speaking (professional group presentations) and understanding spoken English (mainly) as well as writing (reading  articles about the Current News).
 
Content
TEACHING METHODOLOGY
First semester: 30 hours of classes, 2 hours per week.
Classes are taught in small groups of approximately 20 students for greater interactivity;
Second semester: Same course (30 hours, 2 hours per week).
This is a 4-credit course unit.
Learning Objectives
The classes, as well as the homework to be completed by the student, are an integral part of mastering the language in terms of vocabulary and grammatical structures. The main objective is to communicate in English and to be able to follow the courses given in English with ease.
A written placement test will be administered in September; students will then be required to take an individual oral test. This test will confirm the student's English level and will allow students to be placed in groups based on their level (intermediate or advanced).
Details regarding registration for the test will be published on the website.
Intermediate English:
The minimum level of English to be achieved by the end of the year is level B2, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
At the end of the course, students should be able to quickly grasp the general meaning of authentic texts and provide a structured oral summary. In addition, students will need to be able to accurately understand and explain passages dealing with important data, avoiding the pitfalls of "false friends" and using structures specific to the English language. There will be reading and listening comprehension exercises, vocabulary and grammar questions, the writing of a formal report, and an oral test in the form of an oral presentation.
This course is considered an English language seminar, and there will be no end-of-term exams, as the grade will be the sum of the various exercises completed in class.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
Intermediate English (Level B2)
• Read, understand, and analyze articles from the English-language press on general, political, economic, and institutional topics
• Understand the key ideas of a multimedia program dealing with current affairs
• Understand and use, in writing and orally, more precise B2-level vocabulary dealing with current affairs
• Master more precise vocabulary and more complex grammar points at the B2 level
• Defend complex ideas orally and in writing
• Research, practice, and deliver a formal presentation in an engaging manner
• Prepare and participate in a formal debate
• Plan, organize, and write a well-structured formal written report
 
Course Content
Intermediate English
Given that the course primarily aims to develop the ability to
The course content, based on listening comprehension and oral expression skills in English, is drawn from the English and American press and covers general topics as well as issues related to the social and legal organization of society, social problems, legal cases, current events, education, psychology, health, and the environment. Students also use these topics as a basis for vocabulary expansion, grammar review, oral synthesis exercises, and conversation exercises.
Students prepare a group presentation based on mixed groups and cultural differences and experiences. The course material is tested regularly. Students actively participate in debates and a pub quiz. They also write a final essay.
Teaching methods
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
This is an interactive course, focused on continuous assessment.
Therefore, it goes without saying that assessment will also focus on effective and regular participation: preparation of exercises proposed by the instructor, active participation in class discussions.
When part of the teaching activities cannot be carried out in person for health reasons, instructions will be sent via Moodle/Teams, and active participation in these activities is expected from each student. Any changes to this course plan (content, schedule, etc.) due to external circumstances will be communicated via Moodle.
It is imperative that students consult Moodle at least once a week and read ALL announcements.
Evaluation methods
Assessment
There are no exams scheduled for the January or June sessions. The final result (100%, then recalculated as a grade out of 20 points) is obtained by adding:
- various exercises and a written essay completed in class (40%)
- various oral expression exercises completed in class during various formal or informal presentations (50%) or role-playing and active participation to exercises (10%)
If the student did not achieve an average of 10/20 in January or June, they will take an exam in August/September that includes the written (50%) and oral (50%) sections as follows:
- Written assessment: written exam on the syllabus content (40%) and written preparation for an oral presentation (10%)
- Oral assessment: presentation (30%) and oral exam on the course content (20%).
If health conditions do not allow for in-person exams, the assessment methods will be hybrid. This will also be an off-session exam, and the weighting will remain the same. Any changes to assessments, linked to external circumstances, will be communicated by Moodle.
Other information
A minimum level of A2-B1 is recommended.
Attendance (face-to-face or digital) is compulsory. 
Attendance is crucial as active participation is essential to the success of this seminar. In the event of absence from an oral presentation, Pub Quiz or other debate, it is the student's responsibility to inform the teacher. In the event of more than 2 unjustified absences, the student's overall mark will be negatively affected.
Online resources
Intermediate English: Moodle page BERAS3031 and 32
1. A syllabus of texts and exercises. It also contains the Vade Mecum, as well as the programme of subjects to be prepared for each course; posted on Moodle ;

2. Collection of course documents posted on Moodle.
3. Grammar syllabus (Theory and exercises). Posted on Moodle.
Bibliography
La bibliographie du syllabus est intégrée à chaque chapitre du syllabus de ce cours;
Pour écrire cette fiche, l'IA www.deepl.com fut utilisée pour les traductions.
Teaching materials
  • Syllabus BERAS3031 - BERAS3032 - Intermediate English - 2025-2026
Faculty or entity