English for Electrical and Automation Engineers (3 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The course focuses on developing typical workplace communication skills in English.
The English course is integrated with another ongoing degree programme course.

After completing the course, the student:
• can communicate with proficiency in work-related communication situations, including telephoning, online calls, and email etiquette.
• is familiar with essential business terminology and can deliver a company presentation.
• knows the key vocabulary relevant to their field of study.

Content (course unit)

• Workplace communication situations
• Business English
• Terminology specific to students' field of study

Prerequisites (course unit)

English studies completed in upper secondary education or level B2 in European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Sufficient skills in Finnish.

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

Student
• manages simple conversations, including those related to the companies in their field.
• can usually respond comprehensibly to what is being said to them.
• is somewhat conscious of the stylistic requirements of various types of text.
• can produce mostly understandable writing.
• understands the main points of a normally paced conversation about a familiar topic when the message is repeated if needed.
• can pronounce in a way that is mostly understandable.
• understands the main points in texts that discuss familiar topics.
• can use basic field-specific vocabulary to convey essential messages.
• can use of relevant resources and tools.

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

Student
• can discuss both general and field-related topics relatively fluently.
• can mostly respond comprehensibly and appropriately to what is being said to them.
• usually communicates using an appropriate style in various situations.
• can write fairly fluently and clearly.
• pronounces fairly naturally and clearly.
• understands both the main points and details of the texts they have read.
• can express the same thing in different words when necessary.
• can use field-specific vocabulary fairly accurately.
• can use various references and relevant tools effectively.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

Student
• manages conversations on both general and professional topics fluently.
• reacts quickly and appropriately to what is being said to them.
• communicates using an appropriate style in various situations.
• can produce fluent, appropriate writing
• pronounces naturally and clearly.
• understands the main points and details of demanding professional texts and can adapt the information.
• can express things using other words and bridges the gaps in their vocabulary in a discreet way.
• can use speciality terminology skilfully and precisely.
• finds appropriate words and phrases by using different sources and relevant tools.

Location and time

Contact tessons at TAMK on Tuesdays from 8 to 10.

Exam schedules

Wordtests 18 Mar and 15 Apr
Spoken test 22 and 29 Apr

Resits exams: 6 and 15 May

Evaluation methods and criteria

The students must pass each of the following:

Spoken test, 50% of the final grade
2 word tests, 30%
report as group work, 20%

In addition to this:
80% of the homework has to be submitted. Deadlines by contact lessons.
attendance in contact lessons. 2 absences allowed

Additional absences must be compensated by attending the lessons of another suitable course by the same teacher. Absences cannot be compensated with extra assignments.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

contact lessons, on-line studies in Moodle, spoken and written tasks individually and in pairs / groups, written and spoken exam, writing a report as goupwork

The course is partly integrated with Sähkö- ja automaatiotekniikan projekti 2.

Learning materials

Course material will be given in Moodle.

Student workload

27 h x 3

Completion alternatives

Accreditation: You have aldeady taken higher education mandatory English. -> Contact the teacher at the beginning of the course.

Skills test

Further information

Alternative methods of completion if the course is compulsory:

Approved skills test or corresponding course at another university of applied sciences.