Learning outcomes

This course unit aims to ensure mastery of at least the B1+ level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in the five key skills. By the end of this course, students should be able to master the following aspects:

  • Reading comprehension (B1+): Students will be able to understand long texts related to their field, infer the meaning of unknown words from context, search for information in long texts, and understand the flow and conclusions of an argument without necessarily grasping every detail.
  • Listening comprehension (B1+): Students will be able to follow the main points of a long discussion in the target language, understand simple technical information, and comprehend information in most recorded or broadcasted materials if they are familiar with the subject and the language is clearly articulated.
  • Speaking without interaction (B1+): Students will be able to recount an event with necessary details for understanding, describe their feelings and reactions, explain a problem and propose solutions, develop a clear argument, check for understanding through questions, and present and explain a key concept from their field.
  • Speaking in interaction (B1+): Students will be able to engage in a conversation on a familiar topic without prior preparation, express personal opinions, communicate confidently on familiar subjects related to their interests and field of study, and express thoughts on abstract or cultural topics.
  • Writing (B1+): Students will be able to write simple texts on a range of topics related to their field, report experiences by describing their feelings and reactions in a simple text, tell a story, write short reports that convey common factual information, take notes during a simple presentation, and write a brief argumentative text on a familiar topic.

Goals

The main goal of the first year is to ensure that each student reaches a confirmed B1+ level in all skills by the end of the year.

The final objectives for all students to achieve by the end of the year are as follows:

  • Reception: Students will be able to search for information in written and audiovisual sources, identify and understand relevant information (essential vs. superfluous, data, interpretation/elaboration of data, or an argument), and use this information to form an opinion or respond to questions.
  • Oral Production: Students will be able to understand their interlocutor, clearly express and justify their viewpoint, and react and position themselves regarding the interlocutor's viewpoints on one or more familiar topics, using clear, articulate, and fluent oral expression with correct pronunciation.
  • Written Production: Based on prior preparation, students will be able to organize information and express their viewpoint in a multi-paragraph text on a familiar topic, using clear, well-structured writing that reflects their thoughts.

The course also aims to introduce students to formal and scientific English. By the end of the year, students should also be able to:

  • Speak about their university environment and write a formal email to a professor.
  • Work with scientifically oriented documents (simplified or not) to either popularize a scientific concept or present a summary of it.

Content

At the beginning of the course, students will take a diagnostic test via the online WebCampus platform. This test will assess various skills (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar) to determine the student’s CEFR level. The results will help the teaching team organize appropriate work groups and guide some students towards the beginner English course to review foundational concepts.

The Beginner English Course is an optional A1-A2 level class designed to provide additional support for students who need it. Details about the organization of this course will be shared on the WebCampus page ‘ENSTARTER.’

The Main English Course is for all students (including those in the beginner course). Its objective is to help students achieve a B1+ level in all language skills.

The main course is divided into four modules:

  1. Module 1 - University Life: Discussing their new environment and becoming familiar with academic language.
  2. Module 2 - It's Not Rocket Science: An introduction to scientific communication, with a project developed as part of the Spring of Science event.
  3. Module 3 - Let's Talk about Science: An introduction to techniques for reading scientific texts and writing summaries.
  4. Module 4 - Budding Researchers: An introduction to the scientific English genre through simplified research articles.

Exercices

In addition to the exercises completed during class, supplementary exercises and additional resources will be made available through the reference books and the WebCampus platform. These materials are designed to help students practice beyond the classroom, further enhancing their skills.

Teaching methods

The classes are conducted in small groups, with a maximum of 30 students per group. Sessions are designed as interactive seminars and are organized into four distinct modules. Each module concludes with an assessment.

Attendance is mandatory for all sessions. Every class includes opportunities to practice both oral and written production.

The objectives and activities are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Language communication skills are developed by focusing on three key competencies:

  • Linguistic skills: including vocabulary, syntax, and phonology.
  • Sociolinguistic skills: such as social relationship markers, politeness rules, and cultural appropriateness.
  • Pragmatic skills: covering discourse organization, adaptation, and structure necessary for the target tasks.

Assessment method

1) Continuous Assessment (60%)

This includes attendance, active participation in class, and completing preparations before each session.

At the end of each module, students must submit a final task and take a grammar/vocabulary test covering the material from that module.

  • Module 1 - University Life: Write an email + grammar/vocabulary test #1 (15%)
  • Module 2 - It's not Rocket Science: Submit a video explaining a scientific concept + grammar/vocabulary test #2 (15%)
  • Module 3 - Let's Talk about Science: Write a summary of a scientific magazine article + grammar/vocabulary test #3 (15%)
  • Module 4 - Budding Researchers: Submit an elevator pitch video based on a simplified scientific article + grammar/vocabulary test #4 (15%)

2) Final Exams in June (40%)

In June, students will take both an oral and a written exam.

  • The oral exam (20%) will involve:
  • A pronunciation exercise 
  • An informal conversation about the student's first year at university (Module 1)
  • Their experience with the "It's not Rocket Science" project (Module 2)
  • Their opinions on topics discussed in the texts and videos studied in class (Modules 3 and 4)
  • The written exam (20%) will focus on the vocabulary, grammar, and written tasks practiced throughout the year. Specifically, students will be asked to:
  • Comment on and edit an email and a summary
  • Identify and correct errors in text excerpts (error-detection exercises)
  • Complete sentences with the appropriate word

3) August/September Resit Session

In the August/September resit session, if a student's overall average is below 10/20, they must retake all parts where they scored below 10/20. If any assessment below 10/20 from June is not retaken, the grade for that assessment will not carry over, and a 0 will be assigned for that part.

Note: The final grade for the course will only be validated if the student:

  • Does not completes all parts of the course (including each final task and test for each module)
  • Achieves an average of at least 10/20 in both continuous assessment and final exams. If not, a final grade of 9/20 will be assigned.

Important: Please note that passing this course does not lead to CEFR certification.

Sources, references and any support material

The required materials for following the course are available on the WebCampus page for the course 'SCDLB105 - Introduction to Scientific English.'

Vocabulary Book: Stuart Redman, English Vocabulary in Use – Pre Intermediate/Intermediate (4th edition). Cambridge University Press (2017) – mandatory.

Grammar Book: Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use (4th edition). Cambridge University Press (2012) – recommended.

Language of instruction

English
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Physics Standard 0 3
Bachelor in Physics Standard 1 3