The course aims to achieve level B1(+) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in the following skills:
Written and oral reception: Can understand material related to their field of interest and discipline if the language is clearly articulated; identifying the structure of a document, distinguishing main ideas from details, understanding simple technical information and inferring the meaning of a word from its context.
Oral production (Monologue and in interaction) : Can produce a simple text with connectors (with or without preparation) on familiar topics and areas of interest, recall an event in details, describe their feelings and reactions, explain a problem and present solutions, develop a clear argument/explanation and be understood without difficulty most of the time, check by asking questions whether they have been understood.
Written production: Can write simply articulated texts on a range of topics in their field, linking a series of elements in a linear sequence; report experience, describe feelings and reactions, adopt a simple formal style, present the main ideas of a document clearly and coherently, and take notes in a simple presentation, provided the topic is familiar, the formulation direct and the enunciation clear in everyday language.
The secondary school frameworks state that the level of proficiency in English is between B1- and B1+ (depending on the first or second foreign language). The priority of Block 1 is to enable each student to be confirmed at the end of Block 1 in a B1+ level in the selected skills for the Bachelor's degree exit profile: written, oral and audio-visual reception; written and oral production. This course also serves as an introduction to formal and scientific English. At the end of the year, students should be able to talk about their university environment, write a formal email to a professor, and process documents with a scientific coloration (simplified or not) with the aim of either popularising a scientific concept or presenting a summary of it.
Start of the course: DIAGNOSTIC TEST
A diagnostic test is available on Webcampus and compulsory for all students. Some skills (reading, listening, vocabulary and grammar) are tested according to the CEFR descriptors. On the basis of the result of this test, students who do not have the required level (B1) are contacted and advised to follow a remedial module (ENSTARTER on WebCampus)
It is important to note, however, that neither the Intermediate course nor the Remedial Module is intended for beginner-level students.
SCDLB102
This course is open to all (including those who take the remediation module). The course is divided into 4 modules:
1) Module 1 - University Life: talking about one's new environment + becoming familiar with the academic register
2) Module 2 - Popular science: introduction to science popularisation
3) Module 3 - Let's Talk about Science: introduction to the reading skills needed to read scientific texts and write summaries
4) Module 4 - Budding Researchers: introduction to the scientific English genre through the work of simplified research articles in English.
See WebCampus
The course is delivered face-to-face and in small groups. It is given in the form of interactive seminars in English and it is structured around 4 modules, each of which ends with a certificate assessment. Opportunities to work on oral or written production are planned for each course. The objectives and activities are designed in accordance with the philosophy of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Language communication is worked through linguistic (lexicon, syntax, phonology), sociolinguistic (markers of social relations, rules of politeness, etc.) and pragmatic (organisation, adaptation, structure of discourse) skills necessary for the various tasks. The course is not limited to considerations of linguistic knowledge.
Continuous assessment 100% (no exam during exam sessions)
A) First semester: 30%
Module 1 (10%)
Academic e-mail (5%)
Grammar/vocabulary test 1 (Module 1)* (5%)
Module 2 (20%)
Two-minute video presenting a concept in the student’s field of study (15%)
(+1/20 bonus if the video is selected for the final round of the "it's not rocket science" competition)
Grammar/vocabulary test 2 (Modules 1 + 2) (5%)
B) Second semester: 70%
Module 3 (25%)
Summary of a scientific article (15%)
Grammar/vocabulary test 3 (Modules 1 + 2 + 3) (10%)
Module 4 (45%)
Oral expression – conversation with teacher on one or more topics covered during the year + one topic from your "diary" (25%)
Grammar/vocabulary test 4 (Modules 1 + 2 + 3 + 4) (20%)
Important information:
No late submissions will be accepted; any missed assignment will result in a grade of 0/20.
The final grade for the course will only be validated if the student has completed all components (this includes each final task and each module test); otherwise, the pending grade will be capped at a maximum of 6/20.
Students who got a fail in the academic e-mail or the video in December will be allowed to retake these tasks in May.
If the final grade is below 10/20, the student must retake all failed components. In such cases, the grammar/vocabulary test will account for 40% of the final grade.
NB: As first-year students, you have the opportunity to compensate for a failure obtained during the first semester and, consequently, to resit any Module 1 or Module 2 tasks and tests that you may have failed. This opportunity will be offered at the end of the second semester.
Warning : please note that the success of this teaching unit does not lead to certification.
The documents needed to follow the course are available on WebCampus.
- Stuart Redman. English Vocabulary in Use - Pre Intermediate/Intermediate 4th edition. Cambridge University Press (2017).
| Training | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Chemistry | 1 | 3 | Yes |