Working English (2cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

The course runs from week 36 to week 44.

The following topics are dealt with:
- education, workplace communication
- career options and job ads
- the chemistry lab environment, equipment and safety
- discussions on field-related topics and content
- current news related to the field/ industry
- describing material properties
- the basic math, geometry, chemistry terminology

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 structures and communicates with clarity. S/he knows and can use essential field-related terminology and web-based dictionaries and proofreading aids. The student can realistically assess his/her English communication skills and needs for development, and can act accordingly.

Content

Spoken and written English as used by engineering students andengineers for professional purposes.

Materials

Videos,news, articles are used.
The study material is provided by the teacher on itslearning and the students choose some of the study material on their own (job ads, topics for pitching and news).

Teaching methods

Task-based studying, learning by doing
Weekly contact lessons

Exam schedules

No exams, no re-sits. Task-based assessment.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

Pedagogical approaches encourage students to actively learn and apply knowledge through a variety of methods and field-specific tasks.

Learning by doing, information search, pair and group work in the lessons.
Sustainability is not covered extensively in this course, but will be addressed in the group discussions.

Completion alternatives

No optional ways to complete the course. The student must complete the given tasks and participate in the lessons (one absence allowed for a compelling reason (= illness).

Student workload

2 credits is equivalent to roughly 54 hours of student work.

Contact lessons 7 x 2 hrs = 14 hrs
Preparing for the lessons and completing the tasks 40 hrs

Evaluation methods and criteria

Task-based assessment, no exam. All tasks must be completed acceptably by the due date. Active attendance and contribution in lessons are expected. Terminology tests must be passed with a minimum of 40% of available points.

Numerically graded tasks:
- Memo
- Pitching
- Terminology tests (3)
- written homework tasks

Active attendance and well prepared and completed homework tasks may result in the final grade being rounded up. Some tasks are graded pass/ fail and must also be completed in order to pass the course.

Failed (0)

Absences from lessons (attendance less than 6/7 lessons).
Missing tasks or tasks not completed according to the instructions.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student:
- produces texts that may fail to follow the standard structuring.
- produces texts that may not be understandable and the style may not be appropriate to the situation.
- produces texts that include mistakes in vocabulary choice and clumsy expressions.
- relies on notes when speaking and pronunciation may not be natural.
- shows little activity in discussions and reacts prompted by another speaker.
- speaks in a way that is not natural and there are problems with correct pronunciation.
- the fluency of the language is often interrupted by regular basic mistakes.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student
- can produce texts that are complete, but may lack from the standard structure.
- can produce texts that are understandable, but may contain some clumsy expressions and the style may not be correct all the time.
- communicates in a way that is understandable, but may contain problems with word choices and style.
- speaks mainly in a structured way and may need notes.
- pronounces mainly naturally, but there may be occasional problems with more complex words or sounds.
- participates in the discussion mostly actively, sometimes prompted by another speaker.
- can often rephrase words they do not remember, but may sometimes have problems.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student
- can write fluent, professional texts and use appropriate style and tone for the situation.
- can produce written texts that are well-written and include the use of professional vocabulary of the field.
- can speak fluently and naturally and rarely needs notes.
- participates in discussions and meetings actively and unprompted and is able to present arguments and opinions.
- speaks with largely correct grammar, vocabulary and uses functional language (e.g., signposting).

Further information

The teacher can be contacted by email during office hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at: piia.pesso(a)turkuamk.fi.

The course starts on Thursday, September 4 according to the timetable. The students are expected to participate in the lessons and only one absence is allowed.