Learning outcomes

The student will aim to reach level B2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages):


Please refer to the Companion Volume with new descriptors for more information on the criteria and indicators of each component.

Goals

The student will be able to:


  • read texts written in a standard register, both on everyday topics and those specific to their field of study;
  • understand the main points of a message delivered in standard language (either live or through audiovisual productions) on familiar subjects and/or related to their field of study;
  • participate in general and/or personal interest conversations, describe past, present, or future events, and express an opinion;
  • write short texts on personal and/or field-specific topics.

 

Content

The in-person lessons, taught entirely in English, will primarily aim to improve reading comprehension of scientific or related texts. To achieve this, students will be asked to read at home several authentic English texts related to languages, linguistics, literature, and various cultural aspects. The classes will address numerous reading challenges (e.g., understanding vocabulary, identifying logical links), introduce academic vocabulary ('Academic English'), and familiarise students with technical vocabulary related to linguistics and literature, particularly through scholarly articles annotated by students from previous years.

Productive skills (speaking and writing) will also be developed to make the most of the in-person courses. Various activities will be organised to encourage speaking and debates, allowing students to give a presentation in the second semester and engage their classmates through pedagogical techniques such as 'frame games'.

Exercices

Free conversation exercises (improvisation based on current topics) or guided exercises (e.g. role-plays, framework games), with the goal of expanding vocabulary and acquiring strategies for expressing opinions and describing objects or ideas.

Occasional grammar reviews based on difficulties encountered (e.g. tenses, false friends, subject-verb agreement). Correction of common errors among French-speaking learners.

Assessment will take the form of productive tasks to be completed throughout the year; the grades obtained will be part of the ongoing assessment, along with attendance and participation.

 

Teaching methods

The lessons are spread over the 1st and 2nd semesters, with each semester having a maximum of 12 sessions of 2 hours per week — please refer to the schedule on ADE Campus and any modifications announced via WebCampus.

The teaching approach is based on the active participation of the student through conversation exercises on current topics or languages, literatures, and cultures. These exercises are carried out either in groups of (mainly) 2 to 4 students or with the entire class.

The teaching method is designed to be cooperative, reflective, and creative, relying on interactions between students and between students and the instructor. Active participation is therefore crucial.

Occasional use of the Microsoft Teams platform may be made to take advantage of certain features, as well as OneDrive for the sharing and use of shared documents.

Personalised feedback will be given to students to help eliminate grammar and vocabulary mistakes.

Tools such as open-ended questions, card games, puzzles, role-playing, and structured games will be used for conversation exercises. Various texts and videos will provide content for the more passive part of the course.

 

Assessment method

Two grades, each out of 20 points, will be given to each student during the year (if they are regularly enrolled for each session): a partial grade in January (in line with Article 79 §1 of the French Community's "Décret Paysage" which requires evaluation for all learning activities in the 1st semester) and a final grade in June.

 

The partial mark for January will consider the following elements (the weight of each part is indicated between brackets):

– Continuous assessment (20%): This grade is based on attendance and active participation during the 1st term's lessons, as well as the completion of any written assignments. Any unjustified absence or failure to complete an assignment will be penalised with a zero. If a student is absent more than twice without a valid reason, they will receive a zero for the continuous assessment.

– Written exam (80%): This two-hour exam will include personal reflection questions on themes addressed in the texts covered during the 1st semester (evaluation based on language quality, coherence, and originality of the answers), as well as a reading comprehension exercise based on an unseen scientific article (evaluation based on the accuracy of the answers, language quality, and possibly the originality of responses to open-ended questions). Every student must take this exam; failure to do so will result in a zero for the entire evaluation.

Note: A zero in any part will result in a zero for the overall January grade.

The final grade for June will consider the following elements:

– Partial grade from January (15%)

– Continuous assessment (10%): this grade is based on attendance and active participation during the 2nd term's lessons, as well as the completion of any written assignments. Any unjustified absence or failure to complete an assignment will be penalized with a zero. If a student is absent more than twice without a valid reason, they will receive a zero for the continuous assessment.

– Oral presentation (20%): students are required to give a presentation summarizing a scientific article of their choice in English (as long as it is related to their field of study and approved by the teacher). They must also engage their classmates with discussion questions and related activities. The presentation will be evaluated based on the clarity, accuracy, and presentation of information, along with the quality of the visual support and proposed activities. Failure to give the presentation (without a valid reason) will result in a zero for this part.

– Written work: annotation, commentary on a scientific article, and reading list (25%): this document should include the following elements:

– an edited version of the scientific article that formed the basis of the aforementioned oral presentation, following the instructions available on WebCampus;

– a free commentary on this article and its themes, for example, by showing links to other articles or presenting its relevance for the students of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures (LLR);

– a reading list, which includes the articles studied during the course or those suggested on WebCampus, as well as those selected by the students of the current academic year.

This work must be submitted at least two days before the oral exam, so the teacher can review and grade it; it serves as the written exam. Any delay in submitting the document will be penalized; failure to submit it will result in a zero, and the student will not be allowed to take the oral exam.

– Oral exam (30%): a 15-minute interview with the instructor will allow for further explanation of the annotated scientific article, its commentary, and themes, as well as a discussion of elements and topics from the student's reading list. The student is allowed to use their documents during the evaluation.

Notes:


  • A zero in any of the above parts will result in a zero for the final June grade. If a zero ("0 ZERO") was assigned in January due to too many unjustified absences, it will be possible for a student to make up for it by completing a number of written tasks agreed upon with the instructor, to be submitted before the June exam.
  • Failing any part of the evaluation will result in a penalty of one point on the final average. For instance, if a student earns a general average of 12/20 but fails their oral presentation, they will receive an 11/20 instead of a 12/20. The same penalty will apply for each additional partial failure.

 

 

In case of failure after the June session, the student can retake the part(s) they failed, along with a mandatory oral exam (even if this part was passed in June). The final August grade will be weighted the same way as in June.

 

 

Note applicable to all students: students with specific needs who are unable to attend lessons and/or give their presentation must notify the Cellule d'Appui Pédagogique (CAP) and their academic advisor at the start of the academic year to request accommodations. CAP will provide the necessary information to the course coordinator to arrange reasonable adjustments. Late notifications will not be considered.

 

 

 

Warning: please note that passing for this teaching unit does not imply certification.

Sources, references and any support material

Texts (scientific articles and others) will be available electronically via WebCampus and/or OneDrive.

The new vocabulary covered during the classes will be posted on WebCampus.

Various information sites (e.g., theguardian.com; economist.com; statista.com) will be used, as well as audiovisual resources (e.g., youtube.com) and social media posts and memes (e.g. Instagram, 9GAG).

Texts, videos, and feedback are available on WebCampus.

 

Language of instruction

English