Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will have improved both their productive (B1+) and receptive (B2) skills in English, in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). More specifically, they will be able to:

 

  • Express themselves orally and in writing about the texts and videos covered in class; summarize their content and establish logical and reasoned links between the various themes addressed (all related to the English language and/or the Anglophone political and cultural world);

  • Use reference works, both print and electronic, to develop their vocabulary; employ this vocabulary orally in spontaneous conversations on a range of topics; and use it accurately in regular vocabulary tests (self-study, conversation);

  • Use the language in a grammatically correct manner in both spoken and written form (B1+ level); identify and correct grammatical errors in written sentences; and compare and understand the major differences between English and French grammar (grammar and usage);

  • Understand English-language articles and produce a summary in the same language (reading comprehension and précis writing);

  • Understand, describe, summarize and interpret audiovisual materials in English (e.g., BBC programs) and answer comprehension questions (listening comprehension);

  • In groups, research, synthesize, and orally present information about a 'keyword or icon' of Anglophone cultures (keywords and icons presentations).

Goals

This course aims to sharpen students' English language skills through the study of topics related to the place of English in the world and the political and cultural realities of English-speaking countries.

The main objectives are:


  • To develop an active knowledge of English, enabling fluent use of the language in both spoken and written form.
  • To consolidate receptive skills (listening and reading comprehension) and productive skills (spoken and written expression) in accordance with CEFR standards.
  • To expand vocabulary and increasingly master grammar, including the major grammatical differences between English and French.
  • To extend knowledge of the political and cultural world of English-speaking countries, with a particular focus on current affairs.
  • To promote autonomous learning through the efficient use of reference works and digital resources.


Reference levels:


  • Recommended entry level: B1 (foundation in modern language skills, general secondary education, 4 hours/week).
  • Target level at the end of the course: B1+ in productive skills and B2 in receptive skills.
  • The teaching team will, as far as possible, support students who do not initially meet the B1 level in their efforts to achieve it.

Content

The material covered in the lectures includes:


  • An introduction to the use of written and electronic resources to improve language proficiency (dictionaries, grammar guides, etc.);

  • An exploration of issues related to language policies and linguistic diversity (English as a global language, multilingualism in Europe, language death) in the “reading comprehension” section;

  • An investigation of the origins of words and phrases, as well as the history and development of dictionaries (both print and electronic), in the “listening comprehension” section;

  • An introduction to the political system of, and political news in, the United Kingdom.


The practice of the four language skills will focus on the following areas, primarily through practical exercise sessions:


  • Conversation exercises: improvement of pronunciation and fluency; active use of self-studied vocabulary (first and second terms);

  • Regular listening and reading comprehension exercises related to current events in the (English-speaking) world (first and second terms);

  • Basic writing exercises (sentence, paragraph, and summaries of short written or spoken texts), addressed particularly through grammar exercises in the first term and précis writing exercises in the second term;

  • Exercises aimed at improving oral and presentation skills (second term);

  • Individual study of selected chapters from English Vocabulary in Use: Upper-Intermediate to enrich vocabulary;

  • Grammar and contrastive analysis exercises (e.g. correction of English-language samples produced by French-speaking learners).

Table of contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface 2

Part one: Using reference works 5

1 Introduction to printed and electronic reference works 5

2 The basic vocabulary of English: “The Oxford 3000” 13

3 OALD worksheets 14

Part two: Reading and writing 20

1 Reading: Some basic skills and tips 20

1.1 Possible pitfalls 20

1.2 Guessing unknown words 21

1.3 Understanding complicated sentences 23

2 Writing: Some basic skills and tips 28

2.1 Sentences and paragraphs 28

2.2 Writing e-mails 32

2.3 Précis writing 34

3 Reading comprehension: Language 37

3.1 English is coming 38

3.2 God’s worst linguists 45

3.3 When nobody understands 52

3.4 Franglais resurgent 63

3.5 Poems on language 67

3.6 Language conversation 74

4 Further texts for reading 78

Part three: Listening and speaking 112

1 Pronunciation: Text for diagnostic test 112

2 Oral presentations: Some basic skills and tips 113

2.1 Useful expressions 113

2.2 Structuring an oral presentation 117

2.3 Evaluation criteria and tips 119

3 Listening comprehension: Some useful sources 122

4 Listening comprehension: Hunting for the meaning of words 123

4.1 Balderdash and Piffle 123

4.2 Redefining the dictionary: Erin McKean’s TED talk 133

5 Listening comprehension: British politics 137

5.1 Adversarial politics 137

5.2 Whipping 148

Part four: Grammar and usage 153

1 Common errors 153

2 Grammar practice: Adjectives, tense and modals 158

2.1 Adjectives 158

2.2 Tense 164

2.3 Modals 170

3 Contrastive grammar notes: The noun phrase and the verb phrase 176

Part five: Study guide 194

1 Self-study: False friends 194

2 Self-study: Vocabulary in use 195

3 Information about the exams 195

Exercices

The exercises comprise five modules of 15h each:

  • Grammar and usage boot camp (Q1)
  • Pronunciation and conversation (Q1/2)
  • Newsbeat: Reading and listening to the news (Q1/2)
  • Writing and presenting (Q2)
  • Booster / Coaching (Q2)

Teaching methods

Lecture course accompanied by small-group exercises.


Participation in any activity organized by the department, either on or off campus, within the framework of this course, is an integral part of the curriculum and is therefore considered mandatory.

Assessment method

Use of AI tools to produce texts or content in either the formative or summative assessment phases will not be tolerated, unless explicitly stated.

 

 

(1) Continuous assessment:

 

  • group presentation on the 'keywords and icons' of English-speaking cultures (Q2) (2/20);

  • regular vocabulary tests throughout the academic year: if your average mark across the four tests is 12/20 or higher, you will receive a bonus mark added to the ‘vocabulary’ section of the June exam.

 

(2) Written and oral examinations, in January and June:

 

January:

 

  • written exam on the entirety of the material covered in the lectures (Q1) (7/20);

  • 'receptive' grammar exam based on the contents of the “grammar and usage boot camp” exercises (1/20).

 

June:

 

  • 'productive' grammar exam based on the contents of the “grammar and usage boot camp” exercises from Q1 (2/20);

  • vocabulary exam, covering the same material as the continuous assessment tests (2/20);

  • listening comprehension exam (2/20);

  • reading comprehension and précis writing exam (2/20);

  • oral conversation exam, based on a portfolio compiled individually by each student throughout the year. The portfolio must include at least 7 articles and/or audio/video documents (approximately one per month, from September to April of the current academic year), all related to a theme chosen by the student at the beginning of the year. The portfolio must be submitted at the end of the course (mid-May) and include a brief summary of each document. Failure to submit the portfolio on time, or failure to comply with class instructions, will result in a grade of 0/20 for the oral conversation exam (2/20).

 

⚠️ Important: the weighted average of the various learning activities does not automatically determine the final grade for the course. As this is a language proficiency course, the student must achieve an acceptable level in all receptive and productive skills. No grade below 8/20 will be tolerated; furthermore, among all grades, a maximum of two grades of 9/20, or exceptionally one grade of 8/20 and one grade of 9/20, will be tolerated. If these standards are not met, the final grade will be determined collectively by the teaching team, based on the student’s overall performance profile.

Sources, references and any support material

  • Murphy, Raymond (2019) English grammar in use. 5th edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 
  • Lea, Diana and Jennifer Bradbery (eds.) (2020) Oxford advanced learner’s dictionary of current English. 10th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 
  • McCarthy, Michael and Felicity O’Dell (2017) English vocabulary in use: Upper-intermediate. 4th edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Vandelanotte, Lieven (2017) The ins and outs of English: Practising interpretive and expressive skills. University of Namur.

Language of instruction

English