Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

The central objective of this course is for the student to understand the importance of English language proficiency, communication, and effective interaction as part of their professional competence.

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:
• Communicate in English within social work contexts.
• Provide detailed instructions to clients and ask relevant questions in interviews with sensitivity.
• Understand and utilize English-language source materials in their work and professional development.

Content (course unit)

• Bachelor of Social Services tasks
• Client guidance and interview situations
• Authentic professional texts
• Key social work vocabulary

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

The student
• can communicate in familiar, simple, and routine situations in a manner that is mostly understandable
• can provide clients with simple oral and written instructions
• can ask clients necessary questions regarding their prior and current life situation
• can employ basic social services terminology passably
• understands the main points in relatively easy social work-related texts when consulting a dictionary
• can communicate in English but has problems with grammar and style
• manages simple conversations provided that the other person talks slowly and clearly, and sometimes repeats the information

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student
• communicates fairly clearly in multi-professional and multi-cultural interaction situations (verbal and written reports, documentation)
• can provide clients with individual instructions in the most common client guidance situations
• responds to the questions asked by clients fairly successfully
• can employ and utilize relevant social services terminology
• can search information in scientific publications and other professional sources to promote one’s professional growth
• can apply and utilize most of the information obtained
• discusses field-specific topics fairly fluently
• employs grammatical structures fairly successfully and self-corrects potential errors if causing misunderstandings
• can re-formulate one’s sentences if and when needed
• understands and employs field-specific terminology fairly accurately

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student
• communicates successfully even in demanding multi-professional and multi-cultural interaction situations (e.g., oral and written reports, documentation, potential extra-curricular activities, such as projects or international collaboration)
• interviews and instructs clients successfully adapting to the interaction situation
• employs and utilizes specific terminology and field-specific concepts
• speaks fluently and idiomatically
• can search for information in scientific publications and other professional sources, interprets it, and utilizes it with ease to promote one’s professional growth
• communicates effortlessly and in a way appropriate to the situation
• discusses field-specific topics fluently
• responds to questions in discussions appropriately and without delay
• employs grammatical structures almost flawlessly and self-corrects potential errors
• re-formulates one’s sentences when needed
• expresses oneself fluently and conveys the message to the reader/listener idiomatically without misunderstandings

Assessment criteria, pass/fail (course unit)

Reasons for failing the course:
• Written / Oral exam is failed
• The student has considerable problems in linguistic structures and grammar
• One's social services vocabulary is very limited, or almost non-existent
• One fails to convey the relevant message across to a listener or a reader
• Negligence or delays in submitting the assignments
• Non-compliance to attendance requirements

Location and time

On campus and online according to the timetable.

Exam schedules

See Methods and Grounds for Evaluation.

Assessment methods and criteria

The assessment is based on successful completion of the following tasks and activities:
• Presentation (pair task; individual grade incl. self- and peer assessment: 0-5)
• Written exam (individual task; individual grade: 0-5)
• Overall participation in the course such as attendance, engagement with the course materials, participation in class activities and completion of home assignments is also taken into consideration when determining the final grade.

All the parts of the assessment must be completed to receive credits for the course.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Presentations, discussions, role play, pair and group activities, independent study.

Learning materials

• Saarinen, Kirsi, and Juha Saarinen. Way to Welfare : English for Social Services. Helsingissä: Otava, 2008. Print.
• Materials in Moodle

Student workload

Total course – 3 cr x 27 h = 81 h study hours incl.:
• introductory lesson (online) – 1 x 1 h = 1 h
• contact lessons (on campus) – 5 x 3 h = 15 h
• written exam – 1 x 2 h = 2 h
• independent study – 63 h

Content scheduling

• Oral skills (presentations, interviews, telephone communication, social interaction)
• Writing skills (emails, summaries)
• Reading comprehension (professional texts)
• Grammar as needed

Completion alternatives

OPTION 1
Students who have completed corresponding studies at another university or university of applied sciences may apply for credit transfer in Hyvähot/CreTa (in English). Further information is available at https://intra.tuni.fi/fi/opetus/opetuksen-toteutus/hyvaksilukeminen/viestinta-ja-kieliopintojen-hyvaksilukeminen.

OPTION 2
Students who already have the skills and competences that are aligned with the course objectives may apply for recognition of prior learning through competences demonstration (application in Hyvähot/CreTa in English). Further information is available at https://intra.tuni.fi/fi/opetus/opetuksen-toteutus/hyvaksilukeminen/viestinta-ja-kieliopintojen-hyvaksilukeminen.

All alternative ways of completing the course should be discussed with the teacher at the beginning of the course.

Further information

• The course is B2 level according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• Lessons are either on campus or online according to the timetable (see Scheduling of Work).
• There is no hybrid option (some students on campus, some online).
• Mandatory attendance – 80%.