Academic English 5

3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 2 with catalog number 1022004BNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester

2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Enrollment Requirements

U dient een taaltest Engels General knowledge 3 af te leggen om toegelaten te worden tot dit studiedeel. Voor meer informatie, contacteer ACTO: acto@vub.ac.be

Taught in

English

Faculty

Academic Language Centre

Department

Academic Center for Language Education

Educational team

Katrien Camps
Voorzitter ACTO (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
38 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

This is an advanced course in (academic) English, which is targeted at students who already have a very good command of the language (as determined by participation in the ACTO placement test), and who wish to further refine their knowledge of the language.

There are 3 core components to this course:

(1) Language focus: The emphasis here lies on the acquisition and use of advanced vocabulary, with a particular focus on collocations and on vocabulary of an appropriate register for academic writing. Remedial grammar work is also covered as required, based on the needs of the group. Students are required to keep an individual log of their language progress throughout the semester.

(2) Writing workshops: These focus in particular on the structure and style appropriate for academic writing. Students have the opportunity to receive feedback from their peers on their own writing.

(3) Discussions: The aim is to give participants maximal opportunity to participate actively in realistic contexts for the use of (academic) English, through the medium of a series of discussions, which students take it in turns to lead. These are conducted on the basis of a variety of texts drawn from a range of Anglophone sources, allowing students to develop their (critical) reading, listening and speaking skills.

Course material

Digital course material (Required) : Course material is made available throughout the semester, Canvas

Additional info

Course material is made available throughout the semester via Canvas. Attendance in class is compulsory for this course.

Please note that in order to register for this course, students must have taken the ACTO English placement test and obtained a result in the appropriate range for this course. If your result is not in the appropriate range, it is not possible for you to register for this course, even if it is offered as part of your study programme.

You can find further information and register for the test on the ACTO website. On the basis of your performance, the ACTO English teachers will advise you as to whether a suitable English course is available for you.

Learning Outcomes

Algemeen leerresultaat

The student demonstrates an active command of a wide range of collocations, both general and academic, and can use these accurately both in controlled exercises and in their own speech and writing.
The student is able to evaluate critically and constructively written texts produced by themselves and others, in relation to criteria provided, and with particular attention paid to register.
The student demonstrates ongoing reflection on and insight into their individual trajectory as an advanced learner of English, including their strengths and points for improvement.
The student is able to produce academic and professional written texts of an appropriate level in terms of both language accuracy, range and register and text structure and cohesion.
The student can independently identify the main facts and arguments from a range of Anglophone texts and formulate their own reaction in relation to these.
The student displays fluency in spoken English when leading and/or participating in discussions on a variety of topics related to the academic world and/or current affairs.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
PRAC Practical Assignment determines 40% of the final mark.
PRAC Paper determines 40% of the final mark.
Other determines 20% of the final mark.

Within the PRAC Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Writing assignments with a relative weight of 40 which comprises 40% of the final mark.

Within the PRAC Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Learning journal with a relative weight of 40 which comprises 40% of the final mark.

Within the Other category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Discussion participation with a relative weight of 20 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

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All assessment for this course takes place during the semester: writing assignments (40%), participation in discussions (20%), learning journal (20%), assessed vocabulary exercises (20%). Students who have not participated in all assessment components are not able to pass this course in the first examination session.
In the second examination session, students are evaluated on the basis of writing tasks (40%), a discussion (20%), a reflective written piece (20%) and assessed vocabulary exercises (20%).
All students who wish to be assessed for this course in the second examination session may carry over the scores for any components which they have passed during the semester, instead of taking the second session assessment for these. They must take the assessment for any components they have not completed or passed during the semester.
Students who do not participate in all assessment components in the second exam session and/or who have not been able to carry scores over for these components from the first exam session are unable to pass this course in the second examination session.
Results from individual assessment components cannot be carried over to a subsequent academic year.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context