Study Guide

Learning outcomes

Proficiency level: B2

The student is able to
- communicate clearly and effectively in different generic and field-specific workplace situations both orally and in writing
- find, evaluate and use information effectively
- function collaboratively in international working environments.

Implementation and methods of teaching

The course topics are introduced and discussed in class. The course is communicative and interactive: students work in small teams and in pairs throughout the course but also do individual coursework.

Timing and attendance

Classes in the autumn semester. See the course schedule in the TimeEdit system.

Learning material and recommended literature

All course materials are available on the course page on the Moodle platform.

Alternative completion methods

Contact the instructor.

A student who meets the course learning objectives at an excellent level and has used English at work and for professional purposes may opt to take an exemption exam. The exam has two parts: a written and an oral part. The student must score 80% or more to pass the written part. After passing the written part, the student may take the oral part by giving a professional presentation in English. There is no material package available for the exemption exam; skills must be demonstrated based on experience.

The exemption exam may be taken once; no retakes. A student who fails the exam is required to take the course later. No exceptions.

A student who wants to opt for the exemption exam must contact the instructor at the start of the semester before the course is scheduled to start.

Learning environment

In class on campus. All course materials and assignment instructions are available on the course page in the Moodle system.

Student time use and work load

Workload: 100-110 hours. A student's workload consists of actively participating in the scheduled classes, studying the required course materials, and completing the required written and oral assignments.

Contents

-Learning professional terminology
-Writing basic business documents
-Writing professional emails
-Giving professional presentations
-Learning how cultural differences may affect communication
-Surviving job interviews

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

The course is taught at the B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This is equal to scoring 6 or 6.5 in the IELTS test or having been graded M or higher in English in the Finnish matriculation examination.

Students can opt to take an automated online proficiency test at the start of their studies. Those who fail the test are strongly advised to complete a preparatory course in English (English Prep Course 3 credits) before or alongside taking English for Work.

Assessment criteria

Regular and active participation. All compulsory assignments completed by the deadlines. A possible midterm exam, but assessment is mainly based on course assignments and active participation.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The student has failed to meet the set requirements for a pass grade.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student has a satisfactory knowledge of the course content.

The student communicates satisfactorily in English. The student's speech is understandable but somewhat difficult to follow. Interaction is mostly missing. The student's speech is hesitant, pauses are rather long and pronunciation mistakes sometimes make it hard to understand the message. The student uses only basic structures and makes mistakes.

Written communication consists of simple expressions and there are plentiful mistakes. The language is clumsy, but the message is delivered.

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student has a good knowledge of the course content.

The student communicates in English well and interacts adequately. The student's speech is fairly easy to follow. The student's speech is fluent and clear, but pauses, hesitations and pronunciation mistakes may occur.

Written communication is comprehensible, clear and mostly correct. The structures and professional vocabulary are adequate to deliver the message. Minor mistakes occur concerning the genre and/or style.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student has an excellent knowledge of the course content.

The student communicates in excellent English. Interaction is very skillful. The student's speech is targeted, logical, relevant, and consistent. The student's speech (language, pronunciation, and intonation) is fluent, clear, accurate, and naturally paced.

Written communication is fluent and versatile. The student uses varied structures and extensive professional vocabulary, making occasional mistakes only in the most complex structures. The student can deliver the message effortlessly in the appropriate, genre-specific style.