English for Social Services (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

Spring term 2024

Objective

Learning objectives:
The student
- can communicate both orally and in writing in English in social work and in international operating environments
- is able to use basic professional vocabulary and grammatical structures of English in oral and written interaction situations within the social sector
- can apply information sought from English language sources connected to the field
- expands their concept of the international dimension of the field by familiarising themselves with social sector themes in English
- achieves professional competence level B2 pursuant to the European Qualifications Framework

Contents:
- Themes and vocabulary relating to social services studies, work, professional field and social welfare
- Exercises developing various areas of language proficiency

Content

Spoken and written English for general and social use. Practice (understanding and producing) oral language skills required in the social work profession, working on written material related to the profession, producing written text (eg application, cv), familiarizing with the social vocabulary.

Location and time

Zoom lessons:
5.4.2024 klo 8.15-11.45
19.4.2024 klo 12.30-15.45
3.5.2024 klo 8.15-11.45
17.5.2024 klo 12.30-14.00

Materials

Moodle-material,

Course book: Way to Welfare — English for Social Services Saarinen, Kirsi; Saarinen, Juha (Otava).

Teaching methods

Lectures and exercises in Zoom, pair- and group work, independent tasks.

Oral and written learning tasks.

Exam schedules

Written and oral assignments are submitted during the course.

Two re-take due-dates: 08/2024 and 09/2024.

Written learning tasks in Exam-system.

Student workload

Total work load 137 h, including contact lessons in Zoom.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Tieto puuttuu

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Grade 3:
Student communicates in a comprehensible manner 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 speaker 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 in communicating with peers and in a professional context, but the student is actively participating in the various learning activities and he/she is able to complete the given tasks with others and to demonstrate coping in a professional communication situation.

Grade 4:
Student uses English with ease and 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. The professional terms and concepts used are appropriate and for the most part correct in communication situations. There are some shortcomings in grammatical forms and structures but they do not impede interaction. The content of communication is correct for various situations. Pronunciation, word and sentence stress and intonation are correct most of the time. Student is actively interacting with peers and shows his/her competence during the learning activities including a professional communication situation.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Grade 5:
Student uses English with ease. 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 is able to demonstrate excellent situational awareness with relevant contents and appropriate language choices. Student communicates clearly in the context of his/her own profession both in terms of writing and speaking. Pronunciation, word choices, sentence stress and intonation are natural. Student is actively interacting with peers and shows his/her competence during all the learning activities.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Fail / Redo:
Student’s performance is below the requirements for Grade 1. The content is not correct for the situation because the participant does not know the correct words and expressions. 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 a professional situation.

Qualifications

NULL