English for Students of Environmental Engineering (3 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

After completing this course students:
-are able to write clear, accurate and persuasive reports and other text types for an expert and general readership.
- can interact effectively in meetings and negotiations, and make informative and convincing presentations.

Exam schedules

No exam

Evaluation methods and criteria

Students work towards improving their communication skills in English, focusing on accuracy and appropriacy. Separate criteria will be set for each task assigned for credit.

Teaching methods

- writing and speaking exercises and assignments
- developing autonomous language-learning strategies
- independent study tasks
- collaborative learning activities

Learning materials

Some materials will be supplied by the teacher in class and posted in Tabula. Also, students will be responsible for searching for suitable materials and sharing them with classmates via Tabula.

Student workload

The class will be divided into two groups, and each group will have a 3-hour class once a week.
Full and active participation in class work is essential for students hoping to get a good grade.
Students will prepare themselves in advance for forthcoming classroom activities, and do follow-up assignments as set. Much of the research and writing will be done independently in unsupervised sessions.

Completion alternatives

None.
Students wishing to get accreditation for this course must start the process at the beginning of the course at the latest; they must participate fully in the course until a decision is made about their accreditation eligibility.

Practical training and working life cooperation

The course covers writing job application documents and participating in job interviews.

International connections

Exchange students may participate in the course.

Further information

This course covers four main themes:
- applying for a job / practical training
- developing one’s autonomous language learning strategies
- writing for the general public on environmental engineering topics
- writing a literature-based essay

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

One or more of the compulsory assignments fails to meet specified criteria.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student communicates in comprehensible English on the whole and shows some awareness of the norms for different types of text; references to source materials are included where appropriate. Requirements regarding participation, meeting deadlines etc. are minimally fulfilled.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Students’ English is mainly clear and appropriate. Written work meets norms for different types of text, including scientific reporting. Oral communication is professional. Requirements regarding participation, meeting deadlines etc. are mainly fulfilled.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Students’ written English is formal and accurate and displays appropriate variation in style; reports meet norms for different types of text; students show ability to access and select appropriate information; references to source materials are incorporated accurately and in a variety of ways; source materials are expertly paraphrased. Oral expression is fluent and professional. Requirements regarding participation, meeting deadlines etc. are consistently fulfilled.