Language
Dutch
Prerequisites
Students have reached a B2 proficiency level in productive and receptive skills in Dutch
Main themes
The course addresses the question of synchronic and diachronic variation in Dutch to develop productive and receptive skills in Dutch. The main topics are:
- Cognitive principles underlying the learning of Dutch as a foreign language, particularly: reading and writing strategies (in higher education), with a specific focus on argumentative skills.
- Geographical variation, diaphasic variation, and linguistic attitudes.
- Societal debates concerning the Dutch language.
Content
After an introduction explaining the level of competence to be achieved, the course will develop in the first four months a series of theoretical notions aiming at the academic anchoring of the subject matter: cognitive processes underlying the learning of a foreign language, reading strategies, text typologies, language registers. In the second term, the course deals with linguistic variation: sociolinguistic and geolinguistic aspects explaining the synchronic variation in Dutch, complemented by a diachronic description of the evolution of the language.
In parallel, the theoretical concepts will be applied to the comprehension of texts during exercise sessions. For receptive skills, the main focus will be on reading skills (leesvaardigheid). For productive skills, special attention will be paid to the process of writing in a foreign language. In addition, specific exercises will focus on vocabulary expansion and grammatical and syntactic accuracy, with particular attention to synthesis (summarisation techniques) and argumentation skills.
In parallel, the theoretical concepts will be applied to the comprehension of texts during exercise sessions. For receptive skills, the main focus will be on reading skills (leesvaardigheid). For productive skills, special attention will be paid to the process of writing in a foreign language. In addition, specific exercises will focus on vocabulary expansion and grammatical and syntactic accuracy, with particular attention to synthesis (summarisation techniques) and argumentation skills.
Teaching methods
CLIL approach integrating theory and practice. Classes will alternate theory and exercises. Active participation from students is required, both for the exercises and the theoretical sessions. Regular evaluation will monitor progress of the students-skills towards reaching level B2+ in productive skills and C1 in receptive skills.
Oral proficiency will be trained through participation in the TANDEM project with KULeuven.
Oral proficiency will be trained through participation in the TANDEM project with KULeuven.
Evaluation methods
A: Continuous assessment: 25%, or 5 points out of 20! This portion of the assessment is completed throughout the course, both at home and in class (oral and written comprehension and production tasks to be completed). Participation in the Tandem project is part of the continuous assessment. This portion cannot be made up during the second session (see Article 78 of the RGEE).
B: Written midterm exam in January (25%) covering linguistic code: exercises in grammar, argumentative writing, and vocabulary.
C. End-of-academic-year exam (50%):
C1: Open-ended questions on the theoretical portion of the material covered in Q2 (taalvariatie);
C2: Reading comprehension: Exercise assessing the ability to apply the reading strategies covered in class
C3: Written composition (without reference materials): An exercise assessing the ability to apply the writing strategies covered in class
The assessment criteria for mastery of linguistic conventions adopted during the year (assessment rubrics made available to students) apply to the written exam.
The final grade is the weighted average of grades A, B, and C. In the final grade, Part A is worth 5/20, Part B is worth 5/20, and Part C is worth 10/20. Passing the course requires passing Part B and each of the subparts C1, C2, and C3. If a student fails any of Parts B, C1, C2, or C3, the entire exam will be considered a failure (lowest grade).
In case of failure at the end of the academic year (June), the student represents part B and part C, part A (continuous assessment) cannot be repassed. The weighing remains the same.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) must be used responsibly and in accordance with the practices of academic and scientific integrity. Scientific integrity requires that sources be cited, and the use of AI must always be reported. The use of artificial intelligence for tasks where it is explicitly forbidden will be considered as cheating.
B: Written midterm exam in January (25%) covering linguistic code: exercises in grammar, argumentative writing, and vocabulary.
C. End-of-academic-year exam (50%):
C1: Open-ended questions on the theoretical portion of the material covered in Q2 (taalvariatie);
C2: Reading comprehension: Exercise assessing the ability to apply the reading strategies covered in class
C3: Written composition (without reference materials): An exercise assessing the ability to apply the writing strategies covered in class
The assessment criteria for mastery of linguistic conventions adopted during the year (assessment rubrics made available to students) apply to the written exam.
The final grade is the weighted average of grades A, B, and C. In the final grade, Part A is worth 5/20, Part B is worth 5/20, and Part C is worth 10/20. Passing the course requires passing Part B and each of the subparts C1, C2, and C3. If a student fails any of Parts B, C1, C2, or C3, the entire exam will be considered a failure (lowest grade).
In case of failure at the end of the academic year (June), the student represents part B and part C, part A (continuous assessment) cannot be repassed. The weighing remains the same.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) must be used responsibly and in accordance with the practices of academic and scientific integrity. Scientific integrity requires that sources be cited, and the use of AI must always be reported. The use of artificial intelligence for tasks where it is explicitly forbidden will be considered as cheating.
Faculty or entity
