Study Guide

Objective

- you are aware of your own learning style and the significance of learning strategies in English language studies.
- you will activate your English skills and practice using English in various situations related to studies and working life in your own field.
- you know how to use dictionaries and internet resources to develop your language skills as an ICT engineering student
- you study the basic concepts and vocabulary of your own field of engineering.
- you are able to read texts related to your field of engineering and business.
-you are able to produce more formal texts related to your studies and ICT-field.
- you understand the significance of intercultural communication in working life.
- you achieve such interaction skills which enable natural and effective communication in English.
-you learn the differences between informal and formal communication styles

Content

- Communication styles and formality
- Emails, telephoning, online communication in ICT
- Asking for/giving instructions on various situations
- Telling about yourself, your field of studies and work as well as Finnish industry and business.
- Writing a cohesive text/essay
- Interacting in social situations
- Work-life skills (small talk, giving/receiving feedback, team-work skills).
- Basics of technical and academic reading and writing, dictionaries, strategies
- Basics of presenting and briefing skills, strategies
- Basic vocabulary of ICT and engineering

The course implementation is in the Common European Reference Framework level B2.

Teaching methods

Learning outcome
- you are aware of your own learning style and the significance of learning strategies in English language studies.
- you will activate your English skills and practice using English in various situations related to studies and working life in your own field.
- you know how to use dictionaries and internet resources to develop your language skills as an ICT engineering student
- you study the basic concepts and vocabulary of your own field of engineering.
- you are able to read texts related to your field of engineering and business
- you are able to give a spoken presentation on a topic related to your field of study (e.g. presenting software)
- you understand the significance of intercultural communication in working life.
-you learn the differences between informal and formal communication styles
Contents

- Communication styles and formality
- Emails, telephoning, online communication in ICT
- Asking for/giving instructions on various situations
- Telling about yourself, your field of studies, and work, as well as Finnish industry and business.
- Writing a cohesive text/essay
- Interacting in social situations
- Work-life skills (small talk, giving/receiving feedback, team-work skills).
- Basics of technical and academic reading and writing, dictionaries, strategies
- Basics of presenting and briefing skills
- Basic vocabulary of ICT and engineering

The course implementation is in the Common European Reference Framework level B2.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Assessment scale: 0-5
The performance is assessed at skills level B2 of English, in writing and speaking, adapted to the professional English courses of a university of applied sciences
(Common European Frame of Reference, CEFR).
Course assessment is based on written and spoken performance in assignments, active participation in class and online, and possible exams or word tests.

NB: Course activity and exams are also a part of the assessment criteria.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

The student fails to do the given task. / The student fails to understand the task instructions entirely or misunderstands a major part of the task. / The message does not get through to the audience, it is very difficult to follow, and/or there are severe problems in delivering the message. / There are severe problems in delivery and using the language to communicate in the situation or understanding the messages of others. / The student has not understood the situation and his role in it. In a speech, the student fails to speak or consistently uses written language by reading a text out loud. / The student has copied a large part of his message from someone else’s text or speech. The student has not done his part of a teamwork assignment.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Discussing a subject in different professional situations is rather limited and simple. The text or speech meets only some of the requirements of the task, and there is a lot to improve in the logical structure and fluency of the text/speech. The student has partially understood the task, but there are some aspects still missing. The student uses satisfactory language: it includes simple or basic structures, There are still mistakes in the basic grammar structures too. Some or several parts of the message can be misunderstood. The text is not very coherent or logical. The language includes a lot of simple expressions, which may also contain some errors. Speaking about professional topics is satisfactory, simple, slow, insecure, even poor. Interaction in speaking is minimal, or partly lacking. The main message is still delivered. There is a lot of hesitation, the pauses may be long, and the pronunciation may interfere with the delivery. The student may still understand the importance of small talk, and how to be polite in English.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Discussing the subject is for the most part versatile, and the text/speech meets the requirements of the task in versatile professional situations in speaking and writing. The text/speech is clear, logical, or fairly logical. The message is coherent for the most part, but there can be some minor lapses in it. The student has understood the appropriate style and is able to use it for the most part. There may still be some stylistic errors, but they are minor or not consistent. The language is fluent, clear, and mostly correct. The majority of the structures the student uses are correct and he/she can use professional terminology to deliver the message. The basic grammar is correct. The more demanding and advanced structures and idiomatic expressions still cause some problems. The student has understood the instructions of the task. Speaking is clear, fluent and skilful for the most part, and the speaker succeeds well in the communication. The speech is also cohesive, logical, and easy to follow. The speaker engages the audience, in both verbal and non-verbal language. There may still be some hesitation, pauses and errors in pronunciation, but they are not consistent and they do not obstruct the message.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student can use skillful, fluent, and precise expressions on variable subjects and he/she can communicate effectively in different kinds of professional situations, even complex ones. The student has understood the task extremely well. The student also succeeds in persuading others in English. The text/speech is very clear, logical, and versatile. The message is very coherent and the ideas are linked together fluently. The student can deliver the message in a natural and idiomatic way and the message is stylistically appropriate. The use of English is fluent and the structures are very versatile. In addition, the vocabulary is extensive. The use of non-verbal communication is natural and appropriate. Moreover, it supports verbal language very well. The spoken communication is very interactive and natural. The student's speech, intonation, and pronunciation are fluent, clear, and precise. The tempo is natural and appropriate.