Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- read academic texts in English more efficiently

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- read academic texts in English more efficiently
- recognize features of English audience-friendly academic spoken and written communication
- apply these effective strategies in producing spoken communication and in comprehending written communication
- document sources properly and select strategies to avoid plagiarism
- give and receive constructive feedback

Credits: 3

Schedule: 01.11.2021 - 05.12.2021

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Signe-Anita Lindgren

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period): B2

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    In this course, students demonstrate reading skills and strategies through writing, reflecting, and speaking about their reading.

    It introduces strategies for successful reading of English textbooks and research articles and for explaining an idea or written texts with a focus on meeting audience expectations.

    During the course, students analyse examples from their own field of study.

    Through guided tasks, they learn to identify structures, strategies, and elements of audience-friendly communication and to apply these when reading for different purposes.

    Additionally, students practice referencing, employ summarizing techniques and deliver short pitches (videoed).

    The emphasis of the activities is on improving students competence in using English consciously in their studies and in work life and becoming more confident language users.

    The course applies a process approach to learning including self-reflection, peer and teacher feedback.

    Working Life Skills:

    Know-how of the field of study, Foreign language skills, Skills related to international work environment, Team working skills, Information retrieval skills, Oral communication skills, Written communication skills, Self-consciousness, Self-confidence, Critical thinking skills, Analytical skills, Ethical consciousness, Continuous learning skills, and Project management skills.

  • applies in this implementation

    The work in this iteration focuses on

    1) a text book project (TA): Students select one text book from their field of study, according to set criteria, and complete seven text-book assignments

    and

    2) oral project (OA): Students present themselves in an informal video and then craft a 1-3 Min pitch according to set criteria by completing five main assignments. A process based approach is applied (e.g., familiarize themselves with the concept of pitches and examples; build the pitch step-by-step; peer feedback on rehearsal pitch; final pitch; self-evaluations/reflections).

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    - Continuous assessment of active contribution
    - Successful completion of all tasks on time (35%)
    - Reading demonstrated through spoken and written assignments that meet criteria further detailed in MyCourses (65%)
    - Completion of module assignments at CEFR level B2 or higher

  • applies in this implementation

    • Completion of all assignments
    • Assignment instructions followed carefully
    • Contents of assignments are relevant and appropriate
    • Weekly assignments submitted to MyCourses as scheduled (= on time)
    • Language proficiency meets a minimum level of B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference to Languages (CEFR) scale
    Detailed further in the MyC workspace (see e.g. Assessment and grading, keep track of your points; Assignments Overview; and Course information and schedule).

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    81 h guided independent and small-group work

  • applies in this implementation

    Over the course weeks, participants spend around 55 hours on TAs and 27 hours on OA completing weekly assignments. This amounts to approximately 11 + 5.4 hours per week when run as a 5-week course, to approximately 9.2 + 4.5 hrs/week when run as a 6-week course.

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Provided online by the teacher and the students

  • applies in this implementation

    Detailed further in the MyC workspace.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    This course is intended for students in ARTS who have not completed the written part of the foreign language requirement in English at Aalto University.

    This course fulfills the university requirement for foreign language studies for written skills.

    Note: This course requires a minimum enrollment of 10 students.

    Teaching Period:

    2020-2021 Autumn II,Spring IV

    2021-2022 Autumn II,Spring IV

    Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=LCA-1111

    Registration for Courses: Sisu replaces Oodi on 9 August, 2021. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-in-aalto-arts

    WebOodi

    Students are considered for admission in order of registration (first come, first served).

  • applies in this implementation

    See further information on the course and on ARTS requirements of 3 and 6 ECT credits in a foreign language on this MyCourses page LINK

Details on the schedule
  • applies in this implementation

    This course has no zoom classroom meetings or meetings on campus but students work individually according to a set schedule with strict weekly deadlines made available at the beginning of the course. LINK