Course 2024-2025

Kritische benadering van socio-economische onderwerpen [EELVB181]

  • 3 credits
  • 30h
  • 1st and 2nd quarter
Language of instruction: Dutch / Nederlands

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student should be able to: • GRAMMAR - VOCABULARY : • demonstrate mastery of grammar and vocabulary at B1 level in tests, demonstrate mastery in reception activities (reading, listening), and apply it in production activities (writing, speaking). The same applies to basic vocabulary as well as thematic vocabulary seen through the course documents; • READING : • read a text and extract global or detailed information/explain the content/demonstrate understanding. • apply reading techniques/strategies to improve comprehension of written messages. • HEARING : • listen to an audio clip and extract global or detailed information/explain the content/demonstrate understanding. • apply hearing techniques/strategies to improve understanding of spoken messages. • ORAL EXPRESSION : • express themselves orally on current affairs and social issues, alone or in interaction (present facts, formulate an opinion or a critical view, lead a debate, etc.) • in a short video, introduce themselves and report on a discovery related to the Dutch-speaking cultural world, formulate a critical view of this discovery. • WRITTEN EXPRESSION : • e.g. writing a report following a presentation, writing an argumentative text/personal opinion on a controversial topic presented in class, writing an e-mail to a teacher, commenting on an article or listening to an audio clip,...

Objectives

In view of the different levels of knowledge and ability in Dutch, differentiated teaching is organised from the first year. Two learning paths for Dutch throughout the bachelor's degree are therefore proposed: one with a target level of B1 (independent user level) at the end of Block 3 (EELVB 191), and the other with a target level of B2 (advanced level, expected on the labour market for professional practice in Dutch) at the end of Block 3 (EELVB 181). The final objective of the Dutch course (pathways 1 and 2) is to prepare students for professional life through real-life situations and the world of work. The EELVB 181 course aims to achieve level B1 of the Common European Framework for Languages in all skills, with the following main objectives • Emphasis on reading and listening to a variety of texts related to current and social issues: reception strategies and understanding of content; • Oral exercises based on the same themes: exchanges of opinion, debates • Writing exercises based on the same themes: report, argumentative text, e-mail, etc. • Revision and deepening of grammar at B1 level; • Expansion of basic vocabulary as well as in relation to the topics covered in class • Application of grammar and vocabulary in the different skills at the desired level: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing, speaking (with or without interaction); • Oral presentation on a controversial topic; • Discovering Flemish and/or Dutch culture through a personal challenge; • Development of autonomy in learning (in general, and learning Dutch in particular); • Development of certain cross-cutting skills: stress management, communication, deadline management, etc

Content

At the beginning of the academic year, a diagnostic test is organised to give students an indication of their level: from A0 (complete beginner) to C2 (excellent mastery). On the basis of this result, students make a choice as to the learning pathway: pathway 1 (target B1 at the end of Block 3) or pathway 2 (target B2 at the end of Block 3). For pathway 2, learning will take place through activities mainly related to societal and current affairs topics: reading of various texts and press articles, listening to videos/audio excerpts, oral exercises (alone: presentation, report, in interaction: position papers, debates) and writing (reports, position papers), discovery of the Dutch-speaking culture Students will also be encouraged to revise/learn grammar at the expected level, as well as thematic and basic vocabulary. The materials and content of the course will be the same for all Track 2 students. Most materials will be available on Webcampus.


Teaching methods

The course will be based on the principle of the flipped classroom: • Q1 : • Students prepare materials (texts, videos) provided by the teacher and during the course the teacher provides additional insight into both language comprehension and reading and listening techniques. Oral expression (based on the preparation) will also be worked on in relation to these themes. The writing of texts will also be requested, in preparation or in class. • In addition, the student will be expected to report orally each week on a news item of their choice from the previous week (short presentation), and to propose two reflective questions to the class on this event. The final oral examination in June will consist of a discussion with the teacher on these themes. This news monitoring (press kit) will be used as a basis for the oral evaluation in June. • Q2 : • Each student gives a presentation on a controversial topic to the rest of the class and then leads a debate on this topic. Each hour of class therefore consists of a presentation followed by a debate and/or a written exercise (report, argumentative position paper,...) • news monitoring: same as Q1 In addition, independent cultural discovery work will be required throughout the year, at the end of which a short individual video presentation will be assessed. Classes will be held for one hour per week. Students are placed in a group of up to 30 students. A compulsory diagnostic test is available on the Webcampus virtual course platform for all sections to give students an indication of their level, which will enable them to choose the most suitable course for them. Some skills (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, vocabulary and grammar) are tested according to the CEFR descriptors. This test is compulsory for all (even those who have taken the course in 2021-2022) and must be completed by 25/09 at 23:59 at the latest.

Evaluations

Continuous work/regular learning is essential for the success of this course. A significant part of the assessment will take place during the course sessions (active participation, oral interaction exercises and written exercises). An examination in the January session will test the following skills: • mastery of basic and thematic vocabulary; mastery of grammar points at B1 level; • listening and reading comprehension: seen and unseen texts During a final oral examination in the June session, the student presents a press file (written and oral) which includes the articles and videos prepared during the year and is able to discuss them with the teacher in a spontaneous manner (argumentative position); The creation of two short videos (Q1: formative, Q2: certificate) reporting a cultural discovery in relation to the Dutchspeaking world. In order to develop autonomy in their learning, students will be required to keep a learning diary ('Logbook') in which they will describe their efforts and initiatives and will report on their investment to improve their learning of Dutch during the year. This should be submitted at the end of the year on Webcampus. Failure to submit or unjustified absence from any part of the assessment will prevent us from calculating the student's mark and will result in a mark of 1/20 for the whole course. However, for the August session, if the overall course average does not reach 10/20, each student will only retake the parts for which he/she did not obtain 10/20. Students who arrived late in the year following a reorientation will have to present in the second session the parts for which they could not be present.

Warning : please note that the success of this teaching unit does not lead to certification.

Recommended readings

• The course materials (texts and videos) will be available online, on Webcampus • Grammar online on webcampus + exercises • Vocabulary: S'exprimer en néerlandais, Aide à la conversation, Alain Gondry, Christophe Vercruysse, éditions De Boeck Supérieur and thematic vocabulary of texts seen in class (Webcampus). • Tips for revising basic grammar: • Online exercises on Webcampus • Book: Dutch practice from A to Z (Didier Hatier) • Book: Nederlandse Oefenbijbel (Didier Hatier) • The above materials are available in bookshops

Language of instruction

Dutch / Nederlands

Location for course

NAMUR

Organizer

Faculté des sciences économiques, sociales et de gestion
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR

Degree of Reference

Undergraduate Degree