English (level B1+) [SELVB105]

Learning outcomes

This teaching unit aims to achieve a minimum B1+ level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in the five specified skills. By the end of this teaching unit, 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 all the details.
   
• Listening Comprehension (B1+): Students will be capable of following the main points of a lengthy discussion in the target language, understanding simple technical information, comprehending information in most recorded or broadcasted materials if familiar with the subject and if the language is clearly articulated.
   
• Spoken Production without Interaction (B1+): Students will be able to narrate an event, providing necessary details for understanding, describe feelings and reactions, explain a problem and propose solutions, develop a sufficiently clear argument, verify understanding through questions, or present and explain a key concept in their field.
   
• Spoken Interaction (B1+): Students will be capable of engaging in an unprepared conversation on a familiar topic, express personal opinions, communicate with some confidence on familiar subjects related to their interests and field of study, and express thoughts on abstract or cultural topics.
   
• Writing (B1+): Students should be able to write simple texts on a range of varied topics related to their field, report on experiences by describing feelings and reactions in a simple text, tell a story, write very brief reports conveying common factual information, take notes during a simple presentation, and compose a brief argumentative text on a familiar theme.

Objectives

The main goal of Bloc 1 is to ensure that each student reaches a confirmed B1+ level in all language skills by the end of the year.

The objectives that all students should achieve by the end of the year are as follows:

• Listening and Reading Comprehension: Students will be capable of searching for information in written and audiovisual sources and identifying (and understanding) relevant information (the essential vs. the superfluous, data, interpretation/elaboration of data, or an argument) in order to form an opinion or respond to questions.
   
• Oral Production: Student will be able to understand their interlocutor, clearly express and justify their point of view, as well as react and position themselves in relation to the views of their interlocutor on one or more familiar topics, using clear, articulate, and fluent oral expression, along with correct pronunciation.
   
• Written Production: Based on prior preparation, students will be able to articulate information and express their point of view in a well-structured text consisting of several paragraphs on a familiar topic, using clear writing that reflects their thoughts.

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

• Discussing their university environment and writing a formal email to a professor;
   
• Understanding texts with a scientific focus (simplified or not) for the purpose of popularizing a scientific concept or summarizing it.

Content

At the beginning of the program, students will be required to take a diagnostic test through the WebCampus online platform. This test will assess certain skills (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar) to evaluate the student's CEFR level. This test will enable the teaching team to organize coherent study groups and direct some students to the beginner's English course to review certain fundamentals.

The beginner's English course is an optional A1-A2 level course with the goal of providing special support in English to students who need it. Details regarding the organization of this course will be communicated through the WebCampus page 'ENSTARTER'.

The main English course is for all students (including those taking beginner courses). The objective of the course is to bring the student to a B1+ level in all skills. Details regarding groups, schedules, instructors, and materials to prepare will be communicated through the WebCampus page of the course.

The main course is divided into four modules:

1. Module 1 - University Life: discussing one's new environment and becoming familiar with academic language.
2. Module 2 - It's not Rocket Science: introduction to science popularization (a project developed as part of the Printemps des sciences).
3. Module 3 - Let's Talk about Science: introduction to the techniques necessary for reading scientific texts and writing summaries.
4. Module 4 - Budding Researchers: introduction to scientific English through the study of simplified research articles in English.

Exercises description

In addition to the exercises done in class, supplementary exercises and tools will be provided through reference books and the WebCampus platform to allow students to practice.