ENGLISH Objective B2 (PPE)

langp1203  2026-2027  Louvain-la-Neuve

ENGLISH Objective B2 (PPE)
3.00 credits
45.0 h
Q1 or Q2
Teacher(s)
Byrne Timothy (coordinator);
Language
English
Prerequisites
Students must have level B1+ in English or taken a course corresponding to Level B1+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Main themes
The topics covered are selected in line with the learning outcomes of the programme and the communicative needs as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for the target level (B2).
They cover specialised communication situations relating to the fields and professions of philosophy, politics and economics, such as sustainable development and transition.
Learning outcomes

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

Learning outcome (Bachelor’s degree programme in Philosophy, Politics and Economics) 
  1. Develop and adopt an interdisciplinary, critical, reflective and civic-minded perspective.
 
Learning outcomes (CEFR) :
Oral comprehension (B2)
  • understand the main ideas of complex interventions on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation, delivered in a standard or familiar variety of the language.
 
Reading comprehension (B2)
  • read with a large degree of independence, adapting reading style and speed to different texts and purposes.
  • quickly select relevant reference sources and efficiently use a broad, active reading vocabulary. May still encounter difficulties with less frequent idiomatic expressions.
 
Speaking (B2)
  • give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on a wide range of subjects related to their field of interest, expanding and supporting ideas with subsidiary points, reasons, and relevant examples.
  • communicate with a degree of spontaneity and ease, so that conversation with a native speaker does not involve strain for either party.
  • express, explain, and sustain their opinion on most topics, given the opportunity, by providing relevant explanations, arguments, and comments.
 
Written production (B2)
  • write clear, detailed texts (essays, reports, summaries) on a variety of subjects related to their field of interest.
  • synthesise, evaluate, and present information and arguments from multiple sources.
 
Content
Class activities will be based on the mastery of the four academic language skills:
  1. reading,
  2. writing,
  3. listening
  4. and speaking, with a focus on the productive skills (speaking and writing):
    • Academic grammar refresher
    • Academic vocabulary refresher
    • Academic essay and case study report writing
    • Academic debating skills (focus on sustainable development, transition, and the SDGs, as well as on EDI)
    • Academic poster presentation skills
Teaching methods
  • Work in small groups
  • Tutorials, workshops
  • Division into 3 level groups as a result of a placement test at the start of the academic year :
    1. "Weak" group : 15 hours in Q1 (grammar revision) + 30 hours in Q2
    2. intermediate group: 30 hours in Q2
    3. advanced group: 30 hours in Q2 
Evaluation methods
  1. Continuous assessment throughout both terms (Q1 and Q2): 
    • The weighting for continuous assessment in Q1 is 50 marks
    • The weighting for continuous assessment in Q1 is 70 marks
  2. Test at the end of Q1 (out of 30 marks)
  3. Test at the end of Q2 (out of 30 marks)
  4. At the end of the academic year (June session), the marks obtained in Q1 and Q2 are added up, out of a total of 180 marks
  5. The student loses 25 % of their total grade (June session) if they have been absent for more than two sessions per quadrimester (a total of four absences per year not backed up by a medical certificate, i.e., 12.5 % per term)
  6. The students’ awareness will be raised about the advantages and shortcomings of the use of generative AI in their oral and written production.
Other information
The student loses 25 % of their grade if they are absent from class more than twice per term without any form of justification, i.e., 12.5 % per term.
Online resources
https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=3806
Teaching materials
  • Tous les supports de cours sont téléchargeables depuis la plateforme Moodle du cours
  • All teaching materials are downloadable from the Moodle course platform
Faculty or entity
> ILV


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
PPE1BA
3