LEARNING OUTCOMES
After the course, the student understands how to use academic written and spoken English in a university setting.
For written skills, the student will be able to select appropriate academic vocabulary, produce well-structured, grammatically sound written texts, employ strategies to avoid plagiarism, and utilize various organizational structures when writing essays for different purposes. For spoken skills, students will be able to interact in academic social settings using appropriate conventions (e.g., conversation markers, small talk devices, language for agreeing and disagreeing) and deliver an oral presentation related to a topic in their area of study. The students will also reflect on how academic written and spoken English differs from English use in daily life and engage in constructive practices of giving and receiving feedback.
Credits: 5
Schedule: 22.08.2023 - 22.03.2024
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Maxi-Ann Campbell
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period): B1
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, you will practice all four modalities of academic English: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The course includes two asynchronous self-study online components: reading and writing (1 credit) and speaking and listening (1 credit). Beyond these self-study components, you will have synchronous online lessons with a teacher, weekly small group discussions with your peers, and other online activities.
The course will cover the following topics:
• Engaging in small talk
• Academic discussion skills (seminar-style)
• Presentation skills
• Giving and receiving feedback on spoken and written texts
• Avoiding plagiarism and academic integrity
• Academic style in word choice and grammar
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
o Attending online classes (80 % attendance)
o Completing assignments
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
- Synchronous online classes 10.5 h
- Small group teacher meetings (3 x 30m) 1.5 h
- Small group peer meetings 14 h
- Self-study assignments and homework 74 h
- Writing and revising 10 h
- Presentation and preparation for the presentation 10 h
- Peer and self-evaluation 10 h
- Exam and preparation for the exam 5 h
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Provided by the supervising teacher and students.
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
This course is compulsory for students at the University Pathway Finland Programme.