Duration
30h Th, 60h Pr
Number of credits
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
All year long, with partial in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Although theory and practice cannot be dissociated in language learning, they will be covered separately, for the sake of organization.
(1) Lectures (1h per week): the main grammar areas (grammatical rank scale, basic clause types, sentence types, the use of articles, subject-verb agreement, tense and aspect, modal auxiliaries, passive voice, non-finite clauses, relative clauses, conditional constructions) will be taught systematically, without losing sight of actual language use. The lectures introduce linguistic terminology and explain the use of grammatical structures, making students play an active part in their learning process as much as possible. In addition to basic grammar, a number of lectures are devoted to phonology, phonetics and phonemic transcription (using the international phonetic alphabet) as well as writing skills (how to develop a line of argument).
(2) Practicals:
(a) grammar exercises (1h per week) in smaller groups: for each session students will need to prepare a certain number of pages before coming to class
(b) conversation classes (1h per week) in smaller groups: focus on pronunciation, overall speaking and reading comprehension skills (non-literary texts will be provided), building arguments to use in a debate
In addition to this work done in class, students are also expected to work on their own. Such self-study is of the utmost importance and should be done on a daily basis. It includes:
- Preparing the grammar chapters to be discussed in the grammar lectures
- Preparing the written exercises and the texts (which implies the use of a monolingual dictionary)
- Systematic vocabulary learning in English Vocabulary in Use (Upper-intermediate) (Cambridge University Press) (including pronunciation)
- Daily listening comprehension practice, by listening to BBC Radio 4, for example. We recommend students to record and transcribe interesting programmes (with the help of a dictionary).
- Systematic study of English pronunciation (stress, spelling, etc.) and of the international phonetic alphabet
- Reading the English-speaking press as much as possible. Many newspapers are now accessible online.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Students should acquire an advanced level of proficiency in English, both oral and written (emphasis on the four language skills). The targeted command of English implies an in-depth study of English grammar and vocabulary, as well as the ability to use the language effectively. In addition, students have to be able to explain the use of the grammatical categories discussed in the grammar lectures in authentic language data.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Good knowledge of English, and some basic linguistic terminology.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Three hours of classes a week, organized as detailed under the heading of 'Learning unit contents' above.
In addition to these three hours, additional (optional) activities are organized:
Ms D'Onofrio teaches classes offering help with the grammar exercises in French.
Ms Horion and Ms Emonds offer pronunciation tutorials, in which student output will be audio recorded to help students recognize their own mistakes. They will also offer Q&A sessions on student demand.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face. 30 h th. + 60 h ex. (first and second terms).
Recommended or required readings
Lecture notes and exercises will be available at the start of the academic year. We will also use the following books:
Grammar: John Eastwood, Oxford Learner's Grammar: Grammar Finder, Oxford University Press, 2005. (scans will be made available on eCampus)
Vocabulary: Michael McCarthy and Felicity O'Dell, English Vocabulary In Use (Upper-intermediate), 4th edition, Cambridge University Press, 2017.
Dictionary: Collins Cobuild Dictionary, HarperCollins, 2006. (English only)
Among French-language reference works, we can recommend the following grammar book and dictionary:
Berland-Delépine, La grammaire anglaise de l'étudiant, new edition Ophrys, 2000.
Robert et Collins Senior anglais-français / français-anglais, Le Robert, 2010.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions ) AND oral exam
Additional information:
I. Obligatory assessments:
Partial exam in January, written only, consisting of, and accounting for:
- Vocabulary and grammar exercises (50%)
- A multiple choice questionnaire on the grammar lectures (40%)
- A multiple choice questionnaire on phonetics/phonology/phonemic transcription (10%)
If students pass the exam in January (obtaining 10/20 or more), they will already have passed 10% of the overall course grade. If they do not obtain a pass in January, their overall course grade will be fully determined by their performance at the May/June exam. If students pass the phonetics MCQ in January (obtaining 10/20 or more), they will be exempted from this component in May/June.
Final exam in May/June, both written and oral:
a) Written exam, consisting of, and accounting for:
- Vocabulary and grammar exercises: 25%
- A writing assignment: 20%
- A multiple choice questionnaire on the grammar lectures: 20%
- Unless one is exempted, a multiple choice questionnaire on phonetics/phonology/phonemic transcription: 5%
- Speaking skills: students will be given a set of texts on everyday topics (hobbies, media, lifestyle, environment, politics, social issues) to be prepared at home; in the exam, they will have to answer questions in relation to one of these texts.
- Explaining grammar: students will have to analyse a corpus example and explain the use of a certain grammatical element (e.g. basic clause type, NPs, use of tense and/or aspectual value) using the appropriate terminology.
No exemptions can be carried over to the next academic year.
II. Assessments that do not bear on the overall course grade:
- Vocabulary and grammar exercises: tests in September and March
- Writing assignments: take-home assignment involving developing a line of argument in response to a given text in November; students will receive corrective feedback, and the opportunity to revise and resubmit their assignment in February.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
While previously the mark for the January exam only amounted to the mark of the phonetics MCQ, it will now be based on the marks in all three components, so as to give students a more reliable idea of how well they master the course materials overall. In addition, whereas previously the mark for the January exam fed into the overall course grade for 5% only, it now does so for 10%.
Contacts
Course Coordinator
An VAN LINDEN
Département de Langues modernes
ULiège Bât. A2, bureau 6/16
Place Cockerill, 3-5
B-4000 Liège
Tel. 04 366 53 60
E-mail: an.vanlinden@uliege.be
Assistants
Gwendoline HORION
Tel. 04 366 90 38
E-mail: g.horion@uliege.be
Sarah EMONDS
Tel. 04 366 53 77
E-mail: s.emonds@uliege.be
Pedagogical assistant
Barbara D'ONOFRIO
E-mail: barbara.donofrio@uliege.be
Lecteur
Raymond ECHITCHI
E-mail: sechitchi@uliege.be
Secretary
Martine DELAVIGNETTE
Tel. 04 366 53 96