DUTCH Objective B2 (INGE, ECGE, PPE)

Teacher(s)

Bosmans Hilde (coordinator);

Language

Dutch

Prerequisites

Having completed the course LNEER1201 or having obtained a B1 level at the test.

Main themes

This intermediate-level Dutch course focused on economics and management is based on authentic materials and aims to provide students with the communicative skills (spoken and written production, listening and reading comprehension) they will need in their professional lives.
The course is structured around various themes :

• mobility and transport,
• society and civic responsibility,
• studies and education,
• media and corporate communication,
• energy and the environment,
• employment and professional life.

The topics covered encourage students to develop a critical understanding of the labour market and contemporary economic challenges. 

Learning outcomes

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

Learning outcome (programme of Bachelor’s in Economics and Management & Business Engineering) LO4. Communicate and collaborate in French and two foreign languages, both orally and in writing, while adapting to the audience and context to integrate into an international environment. LO4.2. For 2 foreign languages (English and Dutch, German, or Spanish): Communicate orally and in writing in a clear, coherent, well-argued, and fluent manner on general topics or subjects related to the field of study. Identify differences and similarities between the target culture (associated with the language) and the culture of origin.Use appropriate strategies to establish contact with speakers of the target culture. LO4.4. Adopt an effective and respectful dialogue attitude by adjusting the communication mode according to the interlocutor (peers, teachers, administrative staff, socio-professional environment) and demonstrating listening skills, empathy, and assertiveness.

Learning outcomes (CEFR) Listening Comprehension (general) – B2  understand the main ideas of complex speech, both in terms of content and form, on concrete or abstract topics in standard language or a familiar variety, including technical discussions in their field of specialization.  follow extended speech involving complex argumentation, provided the topic is reasonably familiar and the overall structure of the argument is signposted by explicit markers.

Reading Comprehension (general) – B2  read correspondence related to their field and readily grasp the essential meaning.

Spoken Production (general) – B2  give clear and detailed descriptions and presentations on a wide range of subjects related to their field of interest, developing and supporting ideas with secondary points and relevant examples.

Spoken Interaction (general) – B1+  communicate with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes sustained interaction with speakers of the target language quite possible without strain for either party. highlight the personal significance of events and experiences, express and defend opinions effectively by providing explanations and arguments.

Written Interaction (general) – B1+/B2  convey information and express viewpoints in writing and adapt to those of others.

General Linguistic Competence – B2 Has a sufficiently broad range of language to give clear descriptions, express viewpoints, and develop arguments without much obvious searching for words or expressions, while using relatively complex sentence structures.

Content

This course unit aims to develop intermediate-level Dutch language skills with a focus on economics and management. It is based on authentic materials and seeks to provide students with the communicative competences they will need in their third year of study and in their professional lives. Particular emphasis is placed on speaking and writing skills, as well as listening and reading comprehension.

Teaching methods

This course unit is delivered through a combination of face-to-face teaching and e-learning. 
For each topic, lexical and grammatical knowledge is introduced, practised, and consolidated through:

• interactive presentations given by students on themes related to the course texts;  
• oral production activities (role plays, debates, and conversations) and written production activities (letter and text writing);
• receptive activities involving written and spoken texts (including multimedia resources), accompanied by comprehension and vocabulary exercises;  
• grammar explanations and exercises (both oral and written), with particular attention to grammatical aspects that typically pose difficulties for French-speaking learners.

Evaluation methods

FIRST SEMESTER

• Test 1 (during class): vocabulary from Theme 1, the texts in the course syllabus, and commonly confused Dutch words (verwarrende woorden) – 2 marks  
• Test 2 (during class): material covered in Test 1, plus vocabulary from Theme 2, the texts in the course syllabus, commonly confused Dutch words, and grammar – 5 marks  
• Week 14: Mid-term examination: material covered in Tests 1 and 2, plus vocabulary from Theme 3, the texts in the course syllabus, commonly confused Dutch words, grammar, and the writing of a text – 13 marks  

These three assessment components together account for 20 % of the final grade. 
SECOND SEMESTER 

• Test 1 (during class): vocabulary from Theme 4, the texts in the course syllabus, and commonly confused Dutch words – 2 marks  
• Week 9: Test 2 (during class): material covered in Test 1, plus vocabulary from Theme 5, the texts in the course syllabus, commonly confused Dutch words, and grammar – 5 marks  
• Week 13: Mid-term examination: material covered in Tests 1 and 2, plus vocabulary from Theme 6, the texts in the course syllabus, commonly confused Dutch words, grammar, and the writing of a letter or email – 13 marks, plus listening comprehension – 5 marks  

The oral examination takes place in June and consists of a conversation and a role-play based on two of the texts studied during the course, covering themes addressed throughout the academic year. 
Distribution of Marks 

• 45 % Written assessments  
• 45 % Oral assessments  
• 10 % Continuous assessment: presentations, attendance, and active participation in class  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All assessment components are compulsory. However, an absence (without official justification) from a continuous assessment activity (Tests 1 and 2 or presentations) will result in a mark of 0 for that assessment. Absence from a mid-term examination, written examination and/or oral examination will result in an absence grade for the entire assessment, and the student will therefore not be permitted to register for the remaining assessment components. 
With regard to requests for an attendance mark, only requests submitted through the student’s virtual office will be taken into consideration. A request for an attendance mark in December results in a mark of 0 for the entire Semester 1 assessment. The student may not retake this assessment in Semester 2, although they may still take the Semester 2 assessments. 
In the case of a justified absence (e.g. illness) from an examination, the medical certificate must be sent to the Chair of the Examination Board and the Faculty Secretariat, with a copy to the course lecturer and coordinator. 
Students are reminded that, even in the case of a justified absence, it is not possible to sit the missed examination on another date during the same examination session. 
According to the UCLouvain General Regulations on Studies and Examinations, a postponed examination within the same session may only be organised when it is impossible for the student to take the examination during a subsequent examination session within the same academic year. 
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools must be used responsibly and in accordance with the principles of academic and scientific integrity. Since scientific integrity requires proper acknowledgment of sources, any use of AI must always be explicitly declared. The use of AI tools during tests and examinations is strictly prohibited and will be treated as academic misconduct. 
Attendance is compulsory. If deemed necessary, the lecturer may recommend that the Examination Board refuse a student’s registration for the course examination if the student has not participated regularly in the learning activities (UCLouvain General Regulations on Studies and Examinations, Article 72). 
September Examination Session 
During the September session, students must retake the entire written examination syllabus (Semester 1 and Semester 2) as well as the oral examination. The grade obtained for the presentation during the academic year will be retained if it is favourable to the student. Consequently, in September students only retake the written and oral examinations and do not repeat the presentations. 
TANDEM Project 
Students may voluntarily participate in a TANDEM project organised in collaboration with the KU Leuven. Students who participate are exempt from the presentation assignment. 
For TANDEM students only, the distribution of marks is as follows: 

• 45 % Written assessments  
• 35 % Oral assessments  
• 20 % Continuous assessment: attendance and active participation in class and the TANDEM project 

Other information

This course contributes to sustainability and sustainable development by exploring, through authentic materials, themes related to changes in the labour market, corporate social responsibility, and current economic and environmental challenges. 

Online resources

https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=566

Teaching materials

• Syllabus LNEEi1202 - Algemeen en zakelijk Nederlands – intermediair niveau

Faculty or entity

> ILV