Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

The aim is to further develop the written and spoken competence in English needed in the working life as an engineer.

The students have a good command of the special terms in their particular field and are able to read technical texts. They know the job application process in English. The students gain experience of negotiating in English. They know how to give an effective professional presentation and how to write reports.

Content (course unit)

Terms needed in engineering. Meetings and negotiations. Presenting a technical process or product. CV, job application and job interview. Grammar and intercultural communication if necessary.

Prerequisites (course unit)

Working English for Engineers or equivalent

Further information (course unit)

The students have passed the course when they have been present to 80% of the classes, completed the agreed tasks and taken part in the exam.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

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) (course unit)

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) (course unit)

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 his/her contribution skillfully 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

Location and time

TAMK campus according to the timetable unless the course is moved online due to the pandemic situation.

Exam schedules

There is no exam but all the required tasks (see Methods and Grounds for Evaluation) must be completed and the 80% attendance requirement must be met to obtain a grade for the course. Failure to complete the tasks or meet the attendance requirement may result in a lower or failed grade.

Assessment methods and criteria

The assessment is based on successful completion of the following tasks and activities:
• Written tasks throughout the course (CV, job application letter, technical report, agenda and minutes of a meeting)
• Mandatory oral activities (job interview, group presentation, meetings and negotiations)
• Active participation (participation in class activities, contribution to discussions, home assignments).

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Contact teaching, presentations, discussions, pair and group work, individual and collaborative online activities, self-study.

Learning materials

Materials in Moodle

Student workload

Contact lessons – 13 x 2 h = 26 h
Independent study – 55 h

Content scheduling

• Oral skills (presentations, negotiations, social interaction)
• Writing skills (CV, reports, work-related documents)
• Grammar as needed

Completion alternatives

If the student has completed corresponding studies at another university or university of applied sciences or has extensive work experience where the working language is English, the student may apply for credit transfer or recognition of competence through Hyvähot/Creta system.

Such cases have to be discussed with the teacher at the start of the course, and the student may be required to complete additional assignments to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Further information

Mandatory attendance – 80% (applies to online lessons as well if the course is moved online due to the pandemic situation).
The students are either all on campus or all online. There is no hybrid option (some on campus, some online).