Study Guide

Objective

You know the basic concepts of professional forestry and are able to use them in work related written and oral communication in an appropriate genre. You can develop your knowledge of forestry by means of English literature. You can give a presentation in English.

Content

Studying and learning skills, oral practice: studies and extra-curricular activities, small talk practice, email and other written communication, basic concepts of forestry: tree species, their properties and uses, forestry in Finland.

Location and time

Wärtsilä Campus, first year of studies

Materials

Moodle material compiled by the teacher.

Teaching methods

Tuition is given according to schedule at Wärtsilä campus.
Participation in contact lessons and spoken and written communication is required.

Written assignments individually. Speaking practices in pairs or in smaller groups

Completion alternatives

Recognition and accreditation of prior learning RPL and demonstration of learning in the professional skills is to be agreed with the teacher. The student suggests the ways of demonstrating the skills. See the contents of the course. (C1 skills level)

Further information

Competences:
Internationality and multiculturalism, operating at the workplace, learning to learn

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Assessment scale 0-5, Skills level B2 (CEFR)
0= fail, 1= fair, 3= good, 5 = excellent

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, activity in class and online, and possible exams or word tests.

Grades overview:
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.
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.
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.
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.

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