Intermediate Dutch for business studies

lneer1332  2025-2026  Louvain-la-Neuve

Intermediate Dutch for business studies
5.00 credits
60.0 h
Q1 and Q2
Language
Dutch
Prerequisites
The student should have followed the teaching unit of intermediate level part 1 (LNEER1230) or a course of similar level.

The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
  1. This teaching unit treats subjects about themes that are related to the study programme and the future professional needs of the student.
  2. This teaching unit  is structured around the following themes (mobiliteit en transport, samenleving en maatschappelijke verantwoordelijkheid, vorming en opleiding, media en bedrijfscommunicatie, milieu en energie, werk en bedrijfsleven).
Learning outcomes

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

1 Reading Comprehension:
  • understand texts that consist mainly of everyday or field-related language.
  • understand standard field-related correspondence and get the gist of the meaning.
  • read articles and reports concerned with contemporary and field related problems in which the writers adopt particular viewpoints.
Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
 
2 Listening Comprehension Individual:
  • understand most recorded or broadcast audio material delivered in standard language about current events or topics of general interest.
  • follow a lecture or talk within his/her own field, provided the subject matter is familiar and the presentation straightforward and clearly structured.
Listening Comprehension Interactive :
  • catch with some effort much of what is said around him/her in discussion, while possibly finding it difficult to participate effectively in discussion with several native speakers who do not modify their language in any way.
Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
 
3 Speaking Skills Individual :
  • present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to his/her field of interest.
  • explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Speaking Skills Interactive :
  • communicate fluently and spontaneously, to a degree that allows normal interaction with native speakers.
  • take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining your views.
  • develop an argument well enough to be followed without difficulty most of the time.
Level B2- of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
 
4 Writing Skills:
  • write simple connected texts on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
  • write formal letters.
  • take messages communicating enquiries, explaining problems.
  • summarise accurately, report and give his/her opinion about accumulated factual information.
Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
 
5 Code
  • Vocabulary : consolidation of basic vocabulary (cf. LNEER1230) and extension of general vocabulary (texts and vocabulary exercises Moodle, e-learning platform ILV)
  • Grammar: consolidation of the specific structures of the Dutch language.
Culture:
In the development of all the above-mentioned skills the course will aim at making the students aware of Dutch and Flemish cultural aspects and develop their capability to assess the values transmitted by these cultures through different domains (social, political, economic, ...).
 
Content
This teaching unit is aimed at learning Dutch at an intermediate level, with a focus on economics and management. This unit is based on authentic material and aims to give students the communicative skills they will need in the third year and in their professional life. Emphasis will be placed on oral and written expression, listening and reading comprehension.
Tools for study and work in self-study: thematic vocabulary lists and texts from the book 'Vers une communication professionnelle, néerlandais B2 - , Hilde Bosmans, Katrien De Rycke et al, De Boeck, 1st edition, September 2020), vocabulary exercises on Moodle (ILV e-learning platform), texts related to the company in the class written by the students on the Prezi presentation tool and the preparation of two group presentations. 
Teaching methods
This teaching unit is given face-to-face and partially in e-learning.
For each theme: use, application and consolidation of lexical and grammatical knowledge by interactive presentations given by students on the themes of the texts in the book 'Vers un communication professionnelle'.
Oral (role-playing, debates, conversations) and written (writing letters and texts) production activities.
Receptive activities: written and oral texts (multimedia) accompanied by comprehension and vocabulary exercises.
Grammatical explanations and exercises (oral and written) focusing more specifically on grammar points that pose problems for French speakers.
Tools for study and work in self-study: thematic vocabulary lists and texts from the book 'Vers une communication professionnelle, Néerlandais B2 - , Hilde Bosmans, Katrien De Rycke et al, De Boeck, 1st edition, September 2020), vocabulary exercises on Moodle (ILV e-learning platform), texts relating to the company in the class written by the students on the Prezi presentation tool and the preparation of two group presentations. 
Depending on the situation (e.g. health or for pedagogical reasons), the course may switch to distance learning at any time.
Evaluation methods
Continuous Assessment Throughout the Year
Written exams in several parts:
FIRST SEMESTER
  • Week 6: Test 1 (during class): vocabulary theme 1, texts from the book Vers une communication professionnelle, confusing words – 2 points
  • Week 10: Test 2 (during class): material from test 1 + vocabulary theme 2, texts from the book Vers une communication professionnelle, confusing words, grammar – 5 points
  • Week 14: Midterm exam: material from tests 1 & 2 + vocabulary theme 3, texts from the book Vers une communication professionnelle, confusing words, grammar + writing a text – 13 points
These three evaluation parts together count for 20% of the final grade.
SECOND SEMESTER
  • Week 5: Test 1 (during class): vocabulary theme 4, texts from the book Vers une communication professionnelle, confusing words – 2 points
  • Week 9: Test 2 (during class): material from test 1 + vocabulary theme 5, texts from the book Vers une communication professionnelle, confusing words, grammar – 5 points
  • Week 13: Midterm exam: material from tests 1 & 2 + vocabulary theme 6, texts from the book Vers une communication professionnelle, confusing words, writing a letter or an email, and grammar – 13 points + listening comprehension – 5 points
The oral exam takes place in June and consists of a conversation and a role-play based on two of the fifteen texts studied in class, dealing with the year’s themes, as well as written reports prepared by students on Prezi.
Distribution of Points Between Written (Q1 + Q2) and Oral Parts
  • 45% written
  • 35% oral
  • 20% continuous assessment: two group presentations, attendance, and active participation in class
Important Notes
  • All evaluation components are compulsory. However:
    • An absence without an official justification from a continuous assessment test (test 1 or 2, or presentations) will result in a 0 for that test.
    • An absence from a midterm or written exam and/or the oral exam will result in a grade of “absent” for the entire evaluation. The student will then be prohibited from registering for the other parts of the assessment.
  • Regarding requests for a certificate of attendance, only those submitted via the student’s virtual office will be taken into account.
    • A request for a certificate of attendance in December results in a zero for the entire Q1 evaluation; the student cannot take it in Q2; however, they may still take the Q2 evaluations.
  • In case of a justified absence (e.g. illness) from one of the exams, the medical certificate must be sent to the chair of the examination board, to the faculty secretariat, with the professor and course coordinator in copy.
Article 103
Any student registered for exams who is unable to attend one or more of them must immediately notify the chair of the examination board and the faculty administration of the reason for their absence. At the latest the day after the impediment ends, the student must provide the faculty administration with the original supporting documents, i.e. a medical certificate or any other document, the probative value of which is left to the sovereign appreciation of the chair of the examination board.
Reminder: In case of absence, even if justified, the exam cannot be rescheduled during the same session.
Indeed, according to the General Regulations for Studies and Examinations of UCLouvain, the possibility of retaking an exam later during the session in case of justified absence is only considered if it is impossible to present that exam in a later session of the same academic year.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence
Generative AI must be used responsibly and in line with the principles of academic and scientific integrity. Since scientific integrity requires citing sources, any use of AI must always be declared. The use of AI tools during tests and exams for LNEER1332 is strictly forbidden and will be considered cheating.
Attendance
Attendance in class is compulsory. If the teacher deems it necessary, they may propose to the jury to refuse exam registration to a student who has not attended the learning activities regularly (RGEE – art. 72).
September Session
In September, the student must retake the entire content of the written exam (Q1 and Q2) as well as the oral exam. The evaluation grade for the two presentations obtained during the year is taken into account if it benefits the student. Thus, in the September exam, the student only retakes the written and oral parts, not the presentations.
Additional Information
It is also possible to participate voluntarily in a TANDEM project with KU Leuven, provided the health situation allows it. Those who participate are exempt from the group presentation in Q1 and Q2.
Depending on how the health situation evolves, the assessment methods may be modified. Students will be informed as quickly as possible.
Online resources
LNEER1332 - Algemeen en zakelijk Nederlands - INGE/ECGE - 1BA
https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=566
Bibliography
  • Néerlandais B2 - Vers une communication professionnelle, Hilde Bosmans, Katrien De Rycke et al., De Boeck, 1re édition | septembre 2020 | 320 pages  9782807330078
  • Moodle (plate-forme e-learning ILV)
Teaching materials
  • Vers une communication professionnelle, Néerlandais B2 - , Hilde Bosmans, Katrien De Rycke et al., De Boeck, 1re édition | septembre 2020 | 320 pages 9782807330078
Faculty or entity