Teaching directory

Course 2024-2025

Introduction to scientific English (level B1 and above) [MELVB104]

2 credits
30h
1^st and 2^nd quarter
Language of instruction: English
Teacher: Hansel Aude

Learning outcomes

The course aims to reach a B1+ level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in the following skills:

Reading and listening comprehension

Comprehension of materials related to the students' field of interest and discipline if the language is clearly articulated: identifying the structure of a document, distinguishing the main ideas of a document from its details, understanding simple technical information and inferring the meaning of a word from its context.

Oral production (alone and in interaction)

Produce a simple text (with or without preparation) on familiar topics: describe an event in sufficient detail to be understood, describe feelings and reactions, explain a problem and suggest solutions, develop a clear argument/explanation and be understood without difficulty most of the time. time and check with questions whether it has been understood. Written production Write simply articulated texts on a range of topics in his/her field, linking a series of discrete elements in a linear sequence: reporting experiences, describing feelings and reactions, adopting a simple formal style, presenting the main ideas of a document clearly and coherently, and taking notes in a simple presentation, provided the topic is familiar, the formulation direct and the diction clear in everyday language

Objectives

The secondary school foreign language competence 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 skills retained 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 and write a formal email to a professor - process documents with a scientific flavour (simplified or not) with the aim of either popularising a scientific concept or presenting a summary of it.

Content

Diagnostic test: A diagnostic test is available on Webcampus at the beginning of the academic year. Certain 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 referred to a remedial module.

Course MELVB104: Semester 1 + 2 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 - It's not Rocket Science: introduction to science popularisation (project developed within the framework of Printemps des Sciences)

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.

Exercises description

See course notes.

Teaching methods

The course is delivered face-to-face and in small groups of students. It is given in the form of interactive seminars in English and is structured around 4 modules, each of which ends with a certificate assessment. Attendance is compulsory. 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 on taking into account linguistic (lexicon, syntax, phonology), sociolinguistic (markers of social relations, rules of politeness, etc.) and pragmatic (organisation, adaptation, structure of discourse) skills necessary for the target tasks. The course is not limited to considerations of linguistic knowledge.

Evaluations

The final grade for the course is calculated as follows:

A) Continuous assessment (60%) At the end of each module, students are required to submit a final task and take a grammar/vocabulary test on the subject matter of the module in question.

1) Module 1 - University Life: writing an email + grammar/vocabulary test 1

2) Module 2 - It's not Rocket Science: submit a video explaining a scientific concept + grammar/vocabulary test 2

3) Module 3 - Let's Talk about Science: writing a summary of a science magazine article + grammar/vocabulary test 3

4) Module 4 - Budding Researchers: Submit an elevator pitch video based on a simplified scientific article + grammar/vocabulary test 4. The final tasks must follow the instructions given in class. Failure to do so will result in failure.

B) Final exam (June session; 40%) In June, students will have to take an oral and a written exam.

1) The oral exam will consist of an informal conversation with their teacher about their first year at university (see module 1), their experience of the It's not Rocket Science project (see module 2) and their opinion on the topics covered in the texts and videos seen in class (see modules 3 and 4).

2) The written exam will cover vocabulary, grammar and written tasks worked on during the year. Specifically, students will be asked to

(1) comment on and edit an email and a summary,

(2) identify and correct errors in excerpts from texts (error-detection exercises) and

(3) complete sentences with the appropriate word.

According to article 79 §1 of the Landscape Decree, all learning activities that took place in Q1 must be assessed. The grade given in January reflects the student's progress on modules 1 and 2. Please note: the final grade of the course will only be validated if the student has met all the following requirements:

1) passed the diagnostic test and proved either through this test or by passing the beginner module that he/she is no longer at level A of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages;

2) presented all parts of the course (this includes every final task and test in every module);

3) obtained at least 10/20 in the continuous assessment AND in the final examination.

If not, a maximum mark of 6/20 will be awarded.

For the following session (September), if the overall average of the AA does not reach 10/20, each student repeats the parts for which he/she did not obtain 10/20.

An exemption from the Block 1 course is only possible on presentation of an official document attesting to a mastery of the 5 skills (oral reception, written production, written and oral monologue and interaction) at a minimum level of B1+ on the Common European Framework of Reference scale. This exemption must be requested from the departmental jury and from the course holder.

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

Language of instruction

English

Location for course

NAMUR

Organizer

Faculté de médecine
rue de Bruxelles
61
5000 NAMUR
P. 081724347
F. 081724327
administration-medecine@unamur.be

Degree of Reference

Undergraduate Degree

	Block	Credits
Bachelier en sciences biomédicales	1	2