English for Construction Engineering (3 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

The student knows how to use technical language on a general level and knows the basic vocabulary in the field as well as understands the need for English in working life. The student knows how to tell about the studies and oneself in connection with job application process, can manage in everyday spoken situations and knows how to present a product, process or service in one's field. The student knows how to communicate appropriately in spoken and written customer service situations and can prepare and present spoken presentations and knows the basic principles of report writing as well as can read texts in one's field by using various aid e.g. dictionaries.

Content

- telling about studies and oneself
- expressing opinions
- small talk
- communication style and register
- basic vocabulary: materials, shapes, measurements, units, products, services
- basic vocabulary in construction engineering: production and manufacturing, construction, housing, building types, spaces, tasks, site safety
- presentation skills
- customer service situations
- telephoning and e-mail
- job application process, documents and interview
- basics of intercultural communication
- basics of reporting

Location and time

Contact teaching at Wärtsilä campus, autumn semester, first-year studies

Materials

Study material is provided through Moodle learning platform and by the teacher during the lessons. Self-study material, texts in engineering, terminology material, example documents, video and audio material, interactive online material to be studied independently and on the lessons, oral classroom activities. Dictionaries and glossaries, Sanakirja.fi, and other language learning tools.

Teaching methods

Contact teaching: active participation and interaction required.
In this course, you will learn how to talk about yourself and your studies, both verbally and in writing, in relation to your studies and work in construction engineering. You will also be able to express your opinion and master the principles of small talk in intercultural settings.
You will learn to distinguish between different communication styles (formality levels) and registers. You will review the principles of formal English writing.
You will also learn to talk about the tasks of a civil engineer in English. You will learn the basic construction vocabulary. You will be able to have a discussion in English on the topics of
materials, shapes, dimensions, units, products and services, site safety, manufacturing methods, instructions, housing vocabulary, mathematical and geometrical expressions, building types, and space designations.
During this course you will also learn presentation skills and spoken reports in English and you will review some email and telephone language.
You will go through the basic principles of English language job application procedure, job interview and pitch, and formal documents (CV and application). You will also learn the basics of intercultural communication.
Possible integration to Wood Construction and Wood Products.
Independent study and group work, spoken presentation and interview, written tasks at home and in class. Possible final exam.

Assessment: written and spoken demonstration of skills and learning on skills level B2. The access level to this course of English is B1. The skills level is tested at the start of your first autumn. If your skills level is low, you can take a review course (English Refresher or Boost Your English Skills) at the same time as you take English for Construction Engineering.

Exam schedules

The spoken demonstration of skills and learning (presentation and interview demo) will take place during the lessons and the written exam will take place in the classroom at the end of the course. The detailed schedule will be given during the course. See the schedule in Peppi/Tuudo.

Completion alternatives

Accreditation of prior learning (AHOT) is to be agreed upon with the lecturer in case the skills level is sufficient and the student can prove that they have acquired the field-specific knowledge and skills elsewhere.
The student compares and contrasts their skills and learning outcomes with the course aims and contents, provides the proof and suggests a way to demonstrate them.

Student workload

Altogether 81 hours of student work, including 28-32 hours of contact teaching lessons. Gradable spoken and written assignments and homework tasks. Written exam at the end.

Further information

In case the teacher decides to have distance learning lessons, the student is to have a working internet connection, a web camera, and a headset (microphone + headphones).