Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

The course focuses on strengthening the skills and study skills of those students whose English proficiency level is below B2.

After completing the course, the student:
• has more courage to use English in different communication situations.
• understands that the goal of language learning is appropriate and successful interaction, not flawless language.
• has more versatile language learning skills.
• masters the basic terms of their field and copes with the typical communication situations in their field of study.

Content (course unit)

• Conversation in pairs and groups
• Basic field-specific vocabulary
• Typical workplace communication situations
• Reviewing basic grammar

Prerequisites (course unit)

English studies completed in upper secondary education.

Sufficient skills in Finnish.

Further information (course unit)

Sufficient skills in Finnish
Mandatory participation on 80% of the classes

Alternative forms of completion: approved skills test or corresponding studies at another university of applied sciences

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

Student
- knows how to give a simple and comprehensible presentation using ready-made material and tips - copes with simple conversational situations
- understand the main points of normal-paced speech, when the message is repeated if necessary
- pronounces intelligibly most of the time
- writes quite intelligibly
- uses simple basic grammar structures in an understandable way
- uses the basic vocabulary of the field of study so that the basic message is conveyed
- finds the information the student is looking for in texts that deal with familiar topics

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

Student
- can give a clear presentation using helpers
- talks quite fluently
- understand people speaking with different accents when the topic of conversation is familiar
- pronounces quite naturally and clearly
- writes fairly fluently and clearly
- uses grammatical structures mostly correctly and corrects mistakes in language use if they have led to misunderstandings
- understands and uses the vocabulary quite precisely
- understands the main points and most details of the text read

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

Student
- knows how to prepare and deliver a convincing, structured presentation
- talks fluently
- understands relatively easily even people who speak with different accents
- pronounces naturally and clearly
- writes fluently and appropriately
- uses versatile grammar structures and manages them almost flawlessly
- understands and uses vocabulary skillfully and accurately
- understands both the main points and details of even a demanding text

Assessment criteria, pass/fail (course unit)

Student:
• can discuss familiar topics.
• can write comprehensible text when given help and enough time to prepare.
• understands the main points of normal-paced speech in familiar contexts when the message is repeated as necessary.
• pronounces occasionally inaccurately but understandably.
• can find information from texts on familiar topics.
• can use the basic field-specific vocabulary to convey essential messages.
• can use simple grammatical structures.
• can use relevant tools, such as dictionaries.
• can deliver a short oral presentation.

Location and time

Lessons at TAMK or online

Assessment methods and criteria

The course is evaluated on a pass/fail scale.
The overall assessment of the course is based on several assignments, which are explained on the first lesson. The course has an 80% attendance requirement, and you must complete at least 60% of the Moodle assignments

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lessons at TAMK
Independent Study
Online Learning
Pair/Group Work

Learning materials

- Moodle materials

Student workload

Weekly lessons 2h. Independent study.

Content scheduling

• Conversation in pairs and groups
• Basic field-specific vocabulary
• Typical workplace communication situations
• Reviewing basic grammar

Completion alternatives

This course is optional in Mechanical Engineering, so it cannot be completed through a skills test.

Note: Students choose the course “English for Engineers” only if they lack the specific skills. This course falls under elective studies and is not mandatory for everyone. Initla test on the first meeting in classroom.

Further information

Sufficient skills in Finnish
Mandatory participation on 80% of the classes