Academic English (3cr)

Objectives (course unit)

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 (course unit)

- 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) (course unit)

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) (course unit)

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) (course unit)

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

Location and time

Online meetings (See Moodle for details)

Exam schedules

An academic essay and a reflective essay replace the exam.

Assessment methods and criteria

This course emphasizes on academic writing and the evaluation is based on 0-5 grading scale where 0 is fail and 5 is excellent. Active participation at online collaborative platforms are required. To get a minimum pass, student need to submit an academic essay and write a reflective essay on the group discussion.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Collaborative learning coupled with online exercises, Reading and analyzing academic text, producing academic text.

Learning materials

Some materials and exercises will be provided during the course. Authentic online materials will be used as well.

Student workload

6 x online meetings, independent work

Content scheduling

Two assignments: an academic essay and and reflective essay based on the group discussion

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

en
FAIL: 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)

Satisfactory (1-2): 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)

Good (3-4): 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)

Excellent (5) 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.