Study Guide

Learning outcomes

Proficiency level: B2

Students are able to
- comprehend, analyze and summarize authentic professional texts in English
- learn and master strategies for expanding professional vocabulary
- use strategies for effective reading.

Implementation and methods of teaching

The students will complete the course 100% online via Moodle. There are no (contact) lessons. The students will study the course material independently and practice their reading and writing skills through assignments. The assignments consist of reading both popular and academic texts using various reading strategies, completing Moodle quizzes based on their understanding of the text, as well as completing (a) written assignment(s). Hard deadlines - > given deadlines must be adhered to for the successful completion of the course.

Timing and attendance

1st period of spring semester (term) 2024.
This is an intensive, seven-week course, i.e., the duration of the course is seven (7) weeks (8 January - 25 February).
Online course, no Zoom, no classroom attendance requirements.
Hard deadlines. If a student fails to meet a deadline, they fail the course.
Once the course ends/closes (25 February) assignment parts/assignments/tasks/quiz completion not accepted/allowed/graded.

Learning material and recommended literature

Material and instructions provided in Moodle (course platform).

Learning environment

The course is completed independently by the student and fully online through Moodle.

Student time use and work load

The overall workload estimate is 81 hours of individual work, including studying the course material, reading texts, completing quizzes, and working on (the) assignment(s).
A student will study the theory material, read popular science and academic articles and complete Moodle quizzes and written assignments based on them. In addition, the student will read one popular science article and one academic article of their choice and complete (a) written assignment(s) based on them.
Hard deadlines. In other words, it is expected that students adhere to given course/assignment deadlines. If a student fails to meet a deadline, they fail the course.

Contents

Learning vocabulary-building strategies, reading techniques (skimming, scanning, critical reading), text structure by using reading comprehension exercises and summary writing.

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

No prerequisites. Course taught at a level of B2.

Assessment criteria

Grading on a scale of 1-5.

Students are expected to complete all assignments/online quizzes according to the given deadlines. If a student fails to meet a deadline, they fail the course.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The student fails to complete the assignments in/on time or the submitted assignment(s) repeatedly fail(s) to meet the required criteria.
The student does not pass the test quizzes.
The student fails to capture any of the main points of a given text in their summary and the summary is very difficult to understand due to problems in grammar, syntax or spelling.

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

The student masters the contents of the course in a satisfactory way.
The student can read specialized texts using basic reading strategies.
The student has a poor active reading vocabulary.
The student can obtain information, ideas and opinions from specialized sources within his/her field, provided he/she can use a dictionary. The student can understand the main ideas of specialized articles outside his/her field.

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

The student masters the contents of the course well.
The student can read with a certain degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes.
The student has a good active reading vocabulary.
The student can obtain information, ideas and opinions from specialized sources within his/her field, provided he/she can use a dictionary to confirm his/her interpretation of terminology.
The student can understand the main ideas of specialized articles outside his/her field.

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

The student masters the contents of the course in an excellent way.
The student can read with large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes.
The student has a broad active reading vocabulary.
The student can obtain information, ideas and opinions from highly specialized sources within his/her field.
The student can understand specialized articles outside his/her field, provided he/she can use a dictionary occasionally to confirm his/her interpretation of terminology.