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: 28.02.2022 - 10.04.2022
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):
Aalto University Language Centre
Dr. Signe-Anita Lindgrén
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 higherapplies 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
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
81 h guided independent and small-group work
applies in this implementation
3 ECTs=81 hrs. Over the course weeks, participants spend around 55 hours on Textbook assignments and 27 hours on Oral assignments completing weekly tasks. 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
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
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 the MyCourses page.
NB! As Sisu replaces WebOodi, students are admitted to the course based on the highest number of credits.
Priority: 1. Bachelor's students. 2. Master's students if here is place.
Details on the schedule
applies in this implementation
This course has no zoom 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 in MyCourses. LINK
The course starts on Monday 28 February 2022, first deadline on Wednesday 2 March.