Study Guide

Objectives

The student
- is able to identify and apply the elements of academic reading, writing and speaking;
- is able to critically evaluate sources, and use them in his/her own writing/speaking;
- is able to communicate clearly and logically about his/her own field;
- is able to continue developing his/her English language and intercultural communication skills independently.

Content

- academic style and language
- structuring an essay / report / research paper: paraphrasing and referencing, cohesive devices
- authentic scientific texts
- presentations, discussions

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student
- communicates in comprehensible English showing some awareness of academic style and register in their written assignments
- can search for information in scientific publications, but has sometimes problems in interpreting and utilizing it
- understands the significance of knowing scientific English, and works fairly purposefully to gain linguistic competence in one’s special field
- is aware of some ways to further develop one’s academic language skills and field-specific skills by utilizing different tools and strategies to some extent

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student
- communicates fairly fluently showing relatively solid awareness of academic style and register in their written assignments
- understands and employs field-specific terminology fairly accurately
- can utilize various resources and dictionaries
- expresses oneself and conveys the message to the reader fairly idiomatically without misunderstandings (H4)
- conveys the information to the reader understandably without misunderstandings, but sometimes non-idiomatically and with features from the mother tongue (H3)
- can search for information in scientific publications to promote one’s professional growth
- can critically assess the references
- can apply and utilize most of the information obtained
- understands the significance of knowing scientific English, and works purposefully to gain linguistic competence in one’s special field
- is aware of various ways to further develop one’s academic language skills and field-specific skills by utilizing different tools and strategies in a goal-oriented manner

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student
- communicates fluently, effortlessly and almost flawlessly showing solid awareness of academic style and register in their written assignments
- employs and utilizes specific terminology and accurate field-specific concepts in their written assignments
- can search for information in scientific publications and other professional sources: interprets and utilizes it with ease to promote one’s professional growth
- can critically assess the references
- can apply and utilize the information obtained
- understands and employs field-specific terminology accurately
- can utilize a vast variety of resources and dictionaries
- expresses oneself fluently and conveys the message to the reader idiomatically without misunderstandings
- is well aware of various ways to further develop one’s academic language skills and field-specific skills by utilizing different tools and strategies in a goal-oriented and self-directed manner