Academic writing and speaking in Dutch

Teacher(s)

Sergier Matthieu;

Language

Dutch

Main themes

1. Quantitative and qualitative development of academic Dutch.
2. Improvement of written skills (style and specific academic register of formal academic writing in Dutch).
3. Improvement of oral skills (style and specific academic register of oral presentations in a formal academic context in Dutch).

Learning outcomes

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

Demonstrate proficiency in academic Dutch, both spoken and written, at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Content

The course focuses on the specific features of Dutch academic discourse and on the conventions governing scholarly communication. Attention is paid to the acquisition of a formal and argumentative register appropriate to university-level research, as well as to the development of the skills required for writing academic papers in Dutch.
The main topics covered include:

• the characteristics of Academic Dutch;
• principles of coherence, cohesion, and argumentation;
• the expansion of academic and discipline-specific vocabulary;
• the critical analysis of scholarly literature;
• the writing of structured academic texts in accordance with current academic conventions;
• oral presentation techniques in academic contexts.

Part of the course is also devoted to the challenges posed by the rise of generative artificial intelligence in higher education. Students are encouraged to reflect on the responsible, critical, and ethical use of generative AI tools, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the university.
This course builds on the learning outcomes of the course unit ELAL1399.

Teaching methods

The course combines theoretical input with practical activities. It is based on an active learning approach in which students are expected to apply the concepts and methods discussed in class.
Emphasis is placed on the writing and rewriting of texts and on the gradual improvement of written production. Students are encouraged to develop a reflective attitude towards their own writing practices and to incorporate feedback received during correction sessions.
Active participation is an essential component of the course. Students are expected to contribute both to practical activities and to theoretical discussions.

Evaluation methods

Assessment takes the form of an individual written examination.
The examination may include the following components:

1. A rewriting exercise, requiring students to transform a non-academic or insufficiently academic text into a text that conforms to the conventions of Dutch academic writing;
2. The writing of an academic text, designed to assess mastery of text structure, register, argumentation, and language use;
3. A critical evaluation of bibliographical sources, assessing the student's ability to analyse, compare, and integrate scholarly references in a relevant and meaningful way.

Assessment criteria include:

• linguistic accuracy;
• richness and appropriateness of academic vocabulary;
• coherence and organisation of the text;
• quality of argumentation;
• effective integration of sources;
• adherence to academic conventions;
• critical thinking skills.

Online resources

https://taaladvies.net/
https://ana.uclouvain.be/
https://onzetaal.nl/
https://e-ans.ivdnt.org/

Faculty or entity

> ELAL