Study Guide

Objective

You learn to communicate in english language

Location and time

Spring 2024
Tornio, Minerva, Kauppakatu 58

Zoom contact lessons on Thursdays (except one day) at 14:00-19:00 for two groups: 15.2., 22.2., 28.2., 14.3., 21.3., 4.4., 11.4. & 18.4.

If the number of students exceed 30 there will be two groups (14:00-16:00 & 17:00-19:00) created for efficient learning activities.

Materials

English Vocabulary for COMPUTERS and INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY https://www.learn-english-today.com/business-english/computer-vocabulary.html

Information Technology (IT) Vocabulary for ESL https://www.thoughtco.com/information-technology-vocabulary-1210141

Business English Pod https://www.businessenglishpod.com/category/it-and-computers/

HOW TO WRITE PROPER http://archive.bio.ed.ac.uk/jdeacon/writing/writing.htm

Discussions in English https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/words/discussions.htm

Presenting in English http://www.englishtco.com/en/presenting-in-english-use-your-voice/

Additional materials are provided in Moodle for class activities and related tasks.

Teaching methods

The learning pedagogy includes 24 contact lessons during which pair and group exercises are carried out, in addition to self-supervised studies done outside of class hours.
Reading and preparatory tasks prior to contact lessons are mandatory.
Class attendance is required to facilitate continuous evaluation and and for students to practise.

Exam schedules

Written and oral expression skills will be evaluated on a continuous basis during lessons.
Written and spoken proficiency tests must be accomplished successfully.
Students are allowed to re-do the tests twice to receive a passing grade.

Content scheduling

Reading in advance for comprehension of ICT field specific materials and preparing for contact sessions
Discussions and sharing opinions for successful meetings and negotiations outcome
Individual and group tasks/exercises
Writing effective professional documents
Delivering dynamic presentations

Further information

Mandatory participation required during class activities and tasks to facilitate continuous evaluation and the opportunity for students to practise and learn.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Satisfactory 1

Communication with other participants have constant problems in dealing with understanding the main content of the language output because of major problems in expressing the main ideas by using correct words. Grammatical structures are very basic and most of the time incorrect. Sentences are short and simple most of the time, which makes the speech fragmented and difficult to understand. There are major problems in pronunciation and word and sentences stress together with intonation make it very difficult for the other participants to understand the speech. Interaction between the speaker with others is almost non-existent.

Satisfactory 2

The other participants in interactions have problems understanding the main content because there are many shortcomings in the use of key terms and concepts. The use of grammatical forms and structures is limited. There are several grammatical errors but the main message can be understood. At times, incorrect pronunciation, vague word and sentence stress and intonation impede intelligibility of the main message. Due to the shortcomings referred to above, the other participants in interactions have constant problems in understanding the language output. Hardly any interaction is created between the speaker and the other participants. The speaker has problems in understanding questions asked and, therefore, she/he has problems in answering the questions asked.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3

The language of communication can be understood by others in describing education fields, job responsibilities, companies’ fields and manages work issues orally and in writing with the right style. The content is appropriate for the situation and the terms and concepts used are correct to a wide extent. 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. There are errors in some grammatical forms, but not systematically, and they do not impede interaction. There are some shortcomings in pronunciation, word and sentence stress and intonation but they do not obstruct intelligibility of the speech. The other persons participating in discussions can understand the content of the language without difficulty but there are some challenges in communicating with the other participants in discussions.

Good 4

Uses idiomatic English at ease to a wide extent in describing own education field, job responsibilities, and companies’ field and manages work issues orally and in writing in the right style with no misunderstanding. Has a rather wide stock of vocabulary in use to produce clear and well-structured documentation related to own profession in terms of reporting. The terms and concepts used are appropriate and mostly correct for various communication. There are some shortcomings in grammatical forms and structures but they do not impede interaction. The content is correct for various situations. Pronunciation, word and sentence stress and intonation are correct most of the time. Active interaction is created between the speaker and other persons participating in discussions.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5

Uses English with ease, uses idiomatic English in describing own education field, job responsibilities, and companies’ fields and manages work issues efficiently with a broad stock of vocabulary in use. The terms and concepts used are appropriate and correct for the situation. Grammatical forms and structures are versatile. The language is almost flawless in grammar. Demonstrates excellent situational awareness with relevant contents for various situations and the language is appropriate in content and logical. Communicates clear and well-structured messages related to own profession in terms of written and spoken output. Pronunciation, word and sentence stress and intonation are correct and natural. Active interaction is created between the speaker and other persons participating in discussions.

Assessment methods and criteria

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages will be applied for evaluation of English language:
https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale