Technical English for Professionals (3 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

Students
- know how to act in working life communication situations (e.g. presentations and meetings)
- know the most important vocabulary of their field of study
- can write job application documents and take part in a job interview

Content (course unit)

• Job applications
• Terminology of the students’ own field of study
• Meetings and negotiations
• Grammar as required

Prerequisites (course unit)

Working English for Engineers or equivalent skills.

Evaluation methods and criteria

To pass the course you need to
1) Go through the process of applying for a job:
- submit a skills based CV with a cover letter
- take part in a job interview simulation and submit a reflection
2) Write an abstract of a lab report
3) Share professional knowledge (group task)
4) Take part in a negotiation simulation and submit a memo
5) Take part in a session with another degree programme and submit a news release

The assessment is based on the quality of the submitted tasks and presentations.
Late submissions affect the grade negatively, active participation positively.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Workshops and interactive sessions. Seminars.

Learning materials

Material and links in Tabula.

Student workload

2 hours time in class each week and a task to complete.

Further information

Corresponding course at another university of applied sciences or international exchange at a foreign university.
Sufficient skills in Finnish.
Mandatory participation on 80% of the classes.

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

Tasks are not completed by the end of the course.

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

The student completes the tasks.
The student is able to
- enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).
- briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
- write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions

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

The student completes the tasks.
The student is able to
- interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible.
- take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts
- present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects.
- explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
- write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects as well as abstracts of material related to one's own field

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

The student completes the tasks.
C1: The student:
- can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. - is able to use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. Is able to formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate my contribution skilfully to those of other speakers.
can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion
- can express him/herself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length.
- can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what I consider to be the salient issues. Can select a style appropriate to the reader in mind