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ACTO

Academisch Centrum voor Taalonderwijs (Academic Centre for Language Tuition)

From language courses to officially recognised tests, from bespoke workshops to individual language support. The Academisch Centrum voor Taalonderwijs (ACTO) offers a wide range of language services to students, faculties and/or VUB departments.

Do you want to be kept up to date with enrolment data, ACTO events or projects? Are you interested in a course or language test?

If so, please complete this online form.

Open access language courses

Refreshing your French, raising your command of English to an academic level or learning a completely new language altogether? All ACTO language courses are open to VUB students, personnel and other interested parties.

    Language courses/subjects for faculties

    ACTO runs language skills and acquisition courses for various VUB faculties.

      Language testing

      Do you require an officially recognised language certificate? ACTO organises language tests in English (TOEFL + ITACE), Dutch (ITNA + CNaVT) and French (DELF and DALF).

      Language support for (foreign language) students

      Could you do with some language support when writing papers, attending lectures or studying for exams? ACTO organises Academic Dutch and English language workshops in conjunction with the StudieBegeleidingsCentrum (SBC – Study Support Centre).

      Language support for academics

      VUB employees, researchers and other departments can make use of ACTO’s revision and translation services. ACTO also organises Academic English for PhD candidates & English for lecturers courses.  

        Bespoke projects and education for VUB departments or external parties

        ‘English for staff members’, ‘English for the StudieBegeleidingsCentrum’, or something completely different? ACTO develops and runs language workshops tailored to the specific language requests and requirements of your department.

        Open access language courses

        Refreshing your French, raising your command of English to an academic level or learning a completely new language altogether? ACTO can provide high quality language tuition at the right level. Good to know: all ACTO language courses are open to VUB students, personnel and other interested parties.

        Courses: make your choice

        Select the relevant course for practical and content information.
        Enrol by completing the form and paying online. The registration forms will be available some months before the start of the course.

        Language

        Period

        Course

        Faculty language courses

        ACTO provides language learning courses for various VUB faculties. These courses are incorporated within your study programme. You can enrol for them via the Student Self Service option.

        Language Testing

        Training abroad, a study programme in another language, a new job… in many situations you will be required to submit official proof of the level of your language skills. Do you require an officially recognised language certificate? In that case ACTO can help you with language tests in the English, Dutch and French language.

        Dutch

        • ITNA (Interuniversitaire Taaltest Nederlands voor Anderstaligen - Interuniversity Dutch Language Test for Foreign Language SpeakersInteruniversity Test of Dutch for Speakers of Other LanguagesInteruniversity Dutch Language Test for Foreign Language Speakers) for people wanting to enrol at a Flemish university who do not yet comply with the language requirements, or people who require an official B2 or C1 language certificate for their job.
        • CNaVT for foreign language speakers who want to gain a B2 or C1 Certificate of Dutch as a Foreign Language from the Nederlandse Taalunie (Dutch Language Union).

        English

        • TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language): for those who want to enrol at VUB for an English language programme but haven’t yet got the language skills stipulated in the OER, or for those who require an offcial language certificate to study abroad or for a specific job.
        • ITACE for lecturers (Interuniversity Test of Academic English): for lecturers who require an ERK level C1 English language skills qualification certificate.
        • ITACE for students (Interuniversity Test of Academic English): for students who need proof of their English language skills. Participants can obtain a B1, B2, C1 or C2 certificate by taking the test. 

        French

        • DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française). Official diploma to certify the language skills of non native French speakers. By taking the test participants can provide proof of their level (A1, A2, B1 en B2) of French language skills.
        • DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française). Similar to DELF an official diploma to certify the level C1 or C2 language skills of non native French speakers.

        Language support

        Are you struggling with a translation, does your PhD dissertation need to be checked to be on the safe side or do you, as a (foreign language) student, need support in a Dutch language academic context? We are here to help you. ACTO provides language assistance and support to students as well as lecturers, researchers, employees and other VUB departments.

        For (foreign language) students

        Could you do with some language support when writing papers, attending lectures or studying for exams? ACTO organises Academic Dutch and English language workshops in conjunction with the StudieBegeleidingsCentrum (SBC – Study Support Centre).

          Language support for academics

          Bespoke language workshops

          ‘English for staff members’, ‘English for the StudieBegeleidingsCentrum’, or something completely different? ACTO develops and runs language workshops tailored to the specific language requests and requirements of your department.

          Do you require further information on a language project tailored to the requirements of your organisation or department? Keen to find out what ACTO can offer your department? Contact acto@vub.be and together we will work out what is feasible.

          We take language tuition out of the classroom and make it fun.

          PROJECTS

          Tandem project

          Learning a language by actually using it? That is exactly what the Tandem Project is about. You arrange to meet your tandem partner over a drink or at your university accommodation, visit an exhibition or take a walk through Brussels, or enjoy another activity together. Whatever it is you decide to do, you alternate speaking each other’s native language. You alternate between your own language and that of your tandem partner.

          For whom? The Tandem Project is intended for VUB, ULB and ISTI students. Bachelor, master or PhD student? It doesn’t matter: everyone is welcome!

          How do you find your ideal Tandem partner?

          • Visit: http://tandems.ulb.ac.be/
          • Click on ‘Inscrivez-vous’
          • Create a profile and follow the instructions
          • Choose your Tandem partner.

          Deutscher Filmklub (German Film Club)

          Brushing up on your German whilst enjoying a fine example of cinema? Welcome to the German Film Club. Each semester the club screens two or three German films – usually on one specific (possibly current) topic. Each film is preceded by a brief introduction and followed by a short discussion in German for interested parties. All members of the VUB community are more than welcome.

          For further information on this free offer follow ACTO’s Facebook page.

          Bartleby’s Book Club

          VUB’s English language book club. Join other aficionados to discuss influential works in world literature, which are read in their original or in the English language. Fancy enrolling? The Facebook page of Bartleby’s Book Club provides a summary of the reading list for this academic year. Choose which books appeal to you and decide which ones to read and how often to attend. You don’t need to be a literary expert to join. The only acceptance qualification? A love of books.

          Accion Poética Bélgica

          ACTO has been collaborating with the Acción Poética Bélgica (Brussels) collective since the 2014-2015 academic year. It is part of a global movement that aims to lighten up the street scene with lyrical messages.

          As part of their French and/or Dutch oral skills studies, students use paintbrush and paint to share their personal poems with the world around them. Messages have already been painted at the VUB Etterbeek campus and campus student accommodation, at GC Elzenhof, on panels, in a furniture store, etc.

          Poetry can be viewed at various locations on the VUB campus, showcasing the efforts of students in previous years.

          APPROACH

          In a nutshell: our philosophy, principles and strong points.

          You are quite right to expect something out of the ordinary from an academic language centre in the heart of a multilingual cultural city such as Brussels. And so do we.

          ACTO stands for:

          Continual innovation: Language education isn’t static, which means that our courses and teaching methods are continually evolving. Being an academic centre we focus on continual innovation in terms of language learning, teaching and testing.

          Lessons given by prominent lecturers: Only the highest level will suffice, which is why we work with highly motivated and experienced language tutors and native speakers. Another bonus? Our language tutors, who originate from different countries, regions and cultures, will also introduce you to the cultural riches of their language.

          Open to everyone: ACTO’s education range can be accessed by the entire university community. Students, researchers, lecturers and administrative staff? Everyone is welcome!

          Bespoke service: Is there a demand for a specific course or workshop? In that case we will organise it. ACTO starts by identifying the language requirements of students, faculties and VUB departments and proceeds from there, when setting up our course and workshop range and during actual teaching sessions.

          More than just vocabulary and grammar: ACTO is a department of Vrije Universiteit Brussel. It is, therefore, logical for us to convey the same humanist values. Since we consider it important to develop individuals giving them independence and a critical mind, we also teach our students to reflect, discuss and reason in the target language.

          Focus on independent and practical learning. We believe in task based language tuition and are happy to extend the learning experience with extra-curricular activities, travel and other projects.

          A language centre in the heart of Brussels: No better place to learn a language than in the Brussels metropolis. We consequently encourage our students to get to know the capital and its international, multicultural background.

          Flexible learning: What works for one person may not be quite so straightforward for another. That is why ACTO offers flexible formulas (e.g. blended learning, tandem learning, faculty courses, specific level courses, intensive summer courses, etc.) in order to meet as many different teaching requirements as possible.

          CONTACT

          Would you like to find out more about our courses or services? Do you have a requirement for a bespoke service? Would you like to enrol for a language test? Feel free to submit your queries to us and together we will work out what ACTO can do for you.

          Secretariat Academic Centre for Language Tuition

          Pleinlaan 2, building B, 2nd floor
          1050 Brussels
          acto@vub.be 

          Tel.: +32 2 629 10 68 (only during opening hours)

          Opening hours

          During the months of July and August 2021 we will be working a lot from home. Send an e-mail to acto@vub.be detailing your queries or wishes and we will respond as soon as possible.

          Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: from 09.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 15.00 hrs
          Wednesday: 09.00 to 12.00 hrs.Because we would like to take the time to deal with your request, we would ask that you report at the latest half an hour before closing time. This will enable us to respond to your questions in detail.

          Not in the area?

          Send an e-mail to acto@vub.be detailing your queries or wishes and we will respond as soon as possible.

          FACEBOOK

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