This course is mandatory for students who have either been placed in Level B (Upper Intermediate) through the English Placement Test or have passed Level C. The purpose of the Level B English communication skills course is to help learners improve their ability to understand authentic English when they listen and read, as well as speak and write in English to express their ideas clearly and effectively. The focus of the course is on activating their English to communicate well in a variety of real situations. It is aimed at developing the learners’ competences, in general, as well as emphasizing the four skills of academic English: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, speaking, and writing. Level B learners are exposed to reading academic reading texts and articles that they should understand and opine on. For listening comprehension, learners listen to CDs, watch DVDs or recordings, take notes, and answer ensuing vocabulary, comprehension, and opinion questions. The speaking skill of learners is developed through interactive speaking and listening exercises in class, in addition to individual oral presentations that they deliver. The writing skill comprises four types of essays: Compare/Contrast, SLUWE, Cause/Effect, and Argumentative, which respect the use of various sentences types. During the course, students will • listen to conversations, interviews, short talks, and academic and professional lectures and show understanding of topics and key points by taking brief notes while listening; • speak during conversations, small group discussions and debates and class discussions on topics related to the course, using strategies taught ahead. In speaking, learners organize their thoughts and participate actively using accurate grammar and pronunciation, as well as interact effectively conforming with the purpose of the discussion; • read a variety of authentic passages such as news and Internet articles, academic texts, and book chapters using reading methods that increase efficiency to read faster and understand better through distinction of relevant meanings and vocabulary; • write a variety of compositions and short papers, including: paraphrases, summaries for single sources, essays, and syntheses of several sources. They achieve their written product using a process to organize, compose and revise their writings for coherence of ideas and accuracy in the use of grammar and vocabulary; • present their ideas clearly to an audience in oral reports and short presentations that they prepare and deliver either individually or as members of a group; • use a computer as a tool for finding information and communicating their ideas including the use of a word processor, e-mail and Internet searching, and PPT presentation(s). By the end of his course, the learners should acquire proficiency of the English language.

Temps présentiel : 70 heures

Charge de travail étudiant : 175 heures

Méthode(s) d'évaluation : Examen écrit, Examen final, Examen partiel, Exercices d'application, Exposé oral, Participation et assiduité, Travaux pratiques contrôlés

Référence :
• Dummet, P. et al. (2015) Life Level 6 Student Book. CENGAGE. • Wallwork, A. (2014) A Guide to Professional English. Springer. • Connelly, J. & Forsyth P. (2014) Essay Writing Skills. Kogan Page. • Van Geyte, E. (2013) Writing: Learn to write better academic essays. Collins. • Connelly, M. ((2013) Get Writing Paragraphs & Essays. (3rd edition). Wadsworth. • Saint Louis University (writing and speaking prompts). • TED, NPR, VOA, BBC, CNN, SCIAM, Time, Newsweek, NY Times, The Economist, The Guardian, etc.