Study Guide

Objective

The student can function in English-language situations typically encountered within the field both in speaking and in writing. The student uses a varied range of language tools and strategies to develop his/her language skills within an authentic professional context. S/he can use field-related terminology and relevant written and spoken text types and registers. The student can realistically assess his/her English communication skills and needs for development, and can act accordingly. Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is aimed at.

Content

Information is sought and retrieved from various kinds of English-language sources, and processed to produce reports, talks and other relevant output. The more demanding field-specific text types are studied. Presentation skills are enhanced. The demands of an international working environment are pondered. The study unit is partly integrated with studies in chemical engineering and materials technology.

Materials

Links to materials can be found in itslearning. Some material is provided by the students themselves.

Teaching methods

The topics dealt with both in speaking and in writing are related to the content matter within the student's study programme.

Exam schedules

The course is assessed continuously based on tasks and active attendance. There is no final exam and thus also no retake exam. Possibly some small tests on limited subject area content (homework material) along the way.

International connections

This is a skills subject and skills need to be practised. Webcam + microphone needed for online sessions, if any.
Note that all assignments include dealing with the topic both orally and in writing. For successful task completion, both components need to be taken care of. Thus, attendance in class meetings is necessary.
Language use and thinking skills are interrelated, which is why the course aims to provide food for thought on various themes.

Completion alternatives

None

Student workload

Practice sessions in the classroom or online
Independent information retrieval
Reporting in speaking and in writing

Content scheduling

Class meetings (three contact sessions 2+2+4 h), independent work, group work
- 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 the field
- becoming professional, autonomous language users in working life

Further information

Course platform on itslearning
Compulsory attendance
Note that as regards written work, the use of e-dictionaries and spell checkers is recommended. Machine translation, Chat-GPT and similar tools are allowed but are not to do your work for you. Any sign of mechanically generated text will result in a request for the student to explain their work in speaking.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

One pre-class task (Instrumentation skills profile), two detailed course tasks, reading & processing of a field-related, peer-reviewed scientific article, in-class presentation, and one post-course task.
All tasks need to be completed acceptably as instructed on the itslearning platform.
Spoken and written work are of equal importance.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Tasks not completed or not in compliance with instructions, attendance criteria not met, and/or language issues seriously hampering communication.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

- deficient mastery of language mechanics, e.g. problems with tenses or sentence formation
- pronunciation issues which hamper understanding
- message often unclear
- limited use of vocabulary
- deficient mastery of register (politeness, appropriate style, choice of words)
- tasks late or only partly completed
- little or no contribution to discussion and/or pair work in class
- for more than grade 1, the student must be capable of responding to questions and expressing their opinion in speaking
- references not provided

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student has a communicative approach to language and is willing to develop as a language user but lacks proficiency in language mechanics. However, the message is always clear and the student is an active contributor in pair/group discussions. All tasks are completed.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

- tasks completed in accordance with instructions and by due date
- close to error-free mastery of language mechanics (CEFR C)
- clear pronunciation
- message coherent and clear
- good grasp of text structure
- versatile use of vocabulary
- good grasp of register (politeness, appropriate style)
- active contribution to class discussions and pair work
- correct use of references