Study Guide

Objective

The aim of the course is to activate and develop the students’ field-relevant English language and communication skills. The students will gain professional skills in various spoken and written communicative situations encountered in working life and society. In addition, they will learn to utilize tools and techniques to further develop their skills in authentic, field-specific contexts. More specifically, students will focus on developing their language and communication skills in.
Upon completing the course, the students should have acquired skills to communicate at level B2 according to European Framework of Reference for Languages, which states that at B2-level students should be able to produce clear, coherent and well-structured texts, present detailed descriptions related to one’s field of interest, express and exchange opinions using fluent language, follow complex arguments, and read longer articles and reports.

Content

- writing professional, field-specific texts
- presenting and discussing field-specific topics in a professional manner
- reading field-specific texts and utilizing the information in professional contexts
- learning and using key terminology of their field
- becoming professional, autonomous language users in working life

Materials

Materials will be available on Itslearning. No material costs for the students.

Teaching methods

Distance teaching on Zoom. In addition to working independently, the students will work in pairs and in small groups.

Content scheduling

Distance teaching in Zoom, the link will be sent to the students before the first meeting. The link will be the same for each meeting through the course.

Spoken and written English is practiced through field-specific exercises and contents. The course will include writing and reading professional texts, an oral presentation, discussions and central terminology and vocabulary. The student gains confidence in using English in a professional setting.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

The course grade is influenced by attendance and oral and written accomplishments. More information will be provided on the course.

In addition to the teacher's feedback, the student will receive peer reviews from other members of the group.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

The student does not perform adequately on the course, or terminates the course.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student's production is inconsistent and sometimes hard to follow. However, the student knows the basic, most central vocabulary of their field, and can use it in their speech and writing. There are mistakes in the student's production related to structure and vocabulary, which influence the understandability. The message is conveyed in both spoken and written production despite the mistakes. The student does not participate very actively to the teaching. However, all the required assignments are submitted.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student's language use is appropriate, logical, clear and mostly fluent. Their speech and writing is easy to follow. The student knows professional vocabulary and can use it to their advantage in writing. Mistakes might occur from time to time in both speech and writing, but they do not affect the understandability. The student has followed instructions in their productions and their performance is professional. The student also participates actively to teaching and interactional situations. The required assignments are submitted and done well.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student's language use is versatile, skilled, appropriate and incisive in both written and spoken productions. Their speech and writing is pleasant to follow. Their knowledge of the professional vocabulary is excellent and they can routinely use it to their advantage in their productions. The student is a skilled participant in interactional situations and is excited to participate in them. Both their spoken and written productions consist of diverse structures. The student has been an active participant on the course and their productions show an excellent readiness to use language.