Study Guide

Location and time

See time-table for the WEB workshops in FInnish.

Materials

Moodle learning materials. Student-generated learning materials. External online materials.

Teaching methods

IN the study group option of the course there are virtual and digital teaching methods. Interactive lectures and exercises on Zoom (21 h), study group tasks (112 h), and feedback discussions (approx. 2 h).
Learning tasks (demonstrating oral and written competence) related to the following themes:
• Reading scientific texts / articles
• Encounter / guiding of physiotherapy patients/clients
• Anatomy and medical terminology
• Health information, documentation, and reporting in physiotherapist work

In the independent study option, learning takes place independently using Moodle materials. Competence is demonstrated through written and oral exams.

Employer connections

Work-life oriented themes and situations.

Exam schedules

In the independent completion option of the study unit, the student demonstrates their competence in physiotherapy professional English through a written and oral exam related to the content and vocabulary of the course. In the course option, there is no exam.

International connections

During the course, students have the opportunity to develop their international competence related to the profession of physiotherapists and academic readiness.

Completion alternatives

The English for Physiotherapists 5 ECTS credit study unit can be completed, and the required professional English proficiency demonstrated in two optional ways. The student commits to their chosen demonstration of competence option through a self-assessment task given in the first online workshop (WEB 1 Info).

Study group option: Participation in ZOOM WEB workshops 80%, group tasks related to the themes of the course (no exam), feedback discussions.

Independent option: Written exam in the Exam system and oral exam at a separately agreed time related to the study unit themes and their vocabulary. (No obligation to participate in ZOOM workshops)

Note! Students can also apply for recognition of prior learning, either partially or fully, if they have a certificate of previous English studies of the same scope at the university level. Recognition can also be applied for based on work experience partially, or if English is the student's native language, fully. In partial recognition, the student completes an additional oral or written exam related to the vocabulary of the course themes. All recognition applications are made through Peppi.

Content scheduling

The study unit takes place during the autumn semester of 2024. Detailed scheduling can be found in the time and location section in FInnish.

Further information

All WEB workshops will be recorded.
In the Study group option, participation in WEB workshops requires a commitment to 80% real-time attendance and active engagement in the workshops.
In the Independent completion option, real-time participation in the introductory INFO webinar of the course is strongly recommended.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Assessment: Evaluation of oral and written proficiency in physiotherapy professional English is based on demonstrated competence through assignments, during contact teaching (ZOOM), and/or exams, as well as the demonstrated competence in feedback sessions.
Assessment criteria: See the assessment criteria in English.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Fail / Redo
Student’s performance is below the requirements for Grade 1. The content is not correct for the situation because the student does not know the correct words and expressions or how to use them. Student is unable to understand the instructions to the various assignments independently. The language used and the grammatical forms are incorrect to the extent that the output is incomprehensible. Vastly incorrect pronunciation makes it impossible to communicate in English. There is no interaction on any level in English and the student is not able to demonstrate his/her competence in the assignments. The English language the student produces totally lacks individual flavor and it is evident that the assignments have been completed by using merely digital language aids (direct translation etc.). Spoken and written competence do not correspond at all. Student fails to participate in the feedback sessions.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Grade 1
Student communicates with difficulties in words choices, grammar and structures. Grammatical structures are very basic and most of the time incorrect. Communicated sentences are short and simple making the speech fragmented and difficult to understand. There are major problems in pronunciation, word and sentence stress and together with intonation challenges the language produced may be very difficult to understand. The student is able to complete tasks with others and to demonstrate coping in a professionally in English. The English language the student produces lacks individual flavor and there many visible, evident traces to the use of digital language aids present. Spoken and written competence do not correspond in the assignments. Student participates in the feedback sessions.

Grade 2
Student communicates in English with shortcomings in the use of professional terminology and concepts. The use of variable grammatical forms and structures is limited. Grammatical errors occur but the main message can be understood. Student has major challenges in correct pronunciation, word and sentence stress and intonation and they may impede intelligibility of the main message. Student fails to communicate clearly and the language produced may be hard to understand. Student may fail to comprehend the given learning tasks independently. The English language the student produces lacks individual flavor and there are often visible, evident and obvious traces to the use of digital language aids present. Spoken and written competence correspond in some of the assignments. Student participates in the feedback sessions.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Grade 3
Student communicates in a comprehensible manner in all modules and assignments, using also professional language and terminology. The language is appropriate for the situation and the terms and concepts used are mostly correct. All expressions used in English are not exact to convey the message but the student can communicate the main ideas intelligibly in her/his own words. The basic grammatical forms are correct. Occasional errors in grammatical forms and structures are not systematic, and they do not impede interaction. There are shortcomings in pronunciation, word and sentence stress and intonation but they do not for the most part obstruct intelligibility of communication. There are some challenges, and yet the student is able to complete the given tasks to demonstrate coping in English. The English language the student produces somewhat lacks individual flavor and there some visible, evident traces to the use of digital language aids present. The use of digital means (such as dictionaries and translators) is sometimes too obvious. Spoken and written competence correspond in most of the assignments. Student participates actively in the feedback sessions.

Grade 4
Student uses English with ease in all modules and assignments. He/she is able to communicate using professional language and terminology both orally and in writing with no misunderstandings. Student has a wide vocabulary knowledge in use and he/she produces language in a clear and well-structured manner. Professional terms and concepts used are appropriate and for the most part correct. There are some shortcomings in grammatical forms and structures but they do not impede comprehension. The content of communication is correct for various situations. Pronunciation, word and sentence stress and intonation are mostly correct. The English language the student produces has an individual flavor and there are no visible, evident traces to the use of digital language aids present. Digital means (such as dictionaries and translators) have been used in a clever, moderate manner. Spoken and written competence correspond. Student participates actively in the feedback sessions.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Grade 5
Student uses English with ease in all his/her assignments. He/she communicates professional language and idiomatic expressions naturally and fluently. The terms and concepts used are appropriate and correct for the situation. Grammatical forms and structures are versatile and for the most part flawless. Student communicates clearly in the context of the modules both in terms of writing and speaking. Pronunciation, word choices, sentence stress and intonation are natural. The English language the student produces has an individual flavor and there are no visible, evident traces to the use of digital language aids present. Digital means (such as dictionaries and translators) have been used in a clever, moderate manner. Spoken and written competence correspond. Students participates actively in the feedback sessions.