English Professional Skills (3 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

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

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

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.