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LANG-S1701

Academic english

academic year
2024-2025

Course teacher(s)

Tess CARPENTER (Coordinator)

ECTS credits

5

Language(s) of instruction

english

Course content

The course aims to reinforce study skills, English language skills and critical thinking, with a focus on academic and business contexts.
Grammar and vocabulary developed through study of relevant economics and business material.
Listening and speaking developed through practical interactive tasks, discussions and debates.
Additional support with interactive UV exercises and resources.

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

Consolidation of vocabulary and grammar and development of academic writing and speaking skills at a B2+ / C1 level.
Focus on relevant language and study skills to support learning and develop confidence in Block 1 courses.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

This course is designed for students who are already proficient in English (B2 or C1 level).

Teaching methods and learning activities

Two-hour discussion-based classes in small groups, focusing on topics from economics and business. The course prioritises the development of academic speaking and writing skills through group work and practical business and academic tasks. 

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

See syllabus for more details.

Course notes

  • Syllabus
  • Université virtuelle

Contribution to the teaching profile

This course contributes to the following programme learning outcomes:

  • Learning Objective 1.3 - Integrate sustainable development in analyses (Reinforcement) (BA-INGE)
  • Learning Objective 2.2 - Display critical thinking, logical and abstract reasoning and develop an independent approach to learning (Reinforcement) (BA-INGE, BA-ECON)
  • Learning Objective 4.1 - Work and communicate effectively as part of a team in an international and multicultural environment. (Reinforcement) (BA-INGE, BA-ECON)

Other information

Additional information

The course is validated when students obtain a final grade that is greater than or equal to 10/20.

Contacts

Tess Carpenter
Tess.Carpenter@ulb.be


 

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

  • written examination
  • Oral examination

written examination

Oral examination

Written Exam (semester 1, 45% of the final grade):

The written exam will test students’ understanding of academic language conventions and their ability to summarise and evaluate the content of a short academic article.

Oral Exam (semester 2, 50% of the final grade):

The oral exam will assess students’ spoken English skills in a discussion. The exam provides a formal evaluation of students’ ability to apply a critical approach to current issues in business and economics and to develop arguments in an interactive context.

Attendance (5% of the final grade)

Regular attendance and participation in assignments and group projects is essential to prepare for the semester 1 writing assessment and semester 2 speaking assessment. 

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

Written exam, semester 1 -  45% of the final grade

Oral exam, semester 2 - 50% of the final grade

Attendance - 5% of the final grade

Language(s) of evaluation

  • english

Programmes