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 course is delivered online through Moodle and there are no lessons for the course.

Students study the course material independently and practice their reading 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, completing practice written assignments, as well as completing one final written assignment, part of which is an online exam.

Timing and attendance

Online course, no attendance requirements as there are no lessons.

The exam is electronic and is taken in special examination rooms found on all of the LAB/LUT campuses. Students book a time that is suitable for them to take the exam in one of these rooms. For example, if the teacher has made the exam available for 3 weeks, then the student must sit the exam during those 3 weeks, but at any time that is suitable for them, as the teacher does not attend the exam.

If a student does not live near one of the LAB/LUT campuses, the exam can also be taken at other university of applies sciences or university examination rooms - more information will be provided during the course.

Learning material and recommended literature

Provided by the teacher through Moodle.

Alternative completion methods

None

Working life cooperation

None

Exam retakes

In the final section of the course, part of the work is an exam. Students will be given a certain time period within which they are required to complete the exam, and the exam must be completed by the final date of the whole course.

The exam is electronic and is taken in special examination rooms found on all of the LAB/LUT campuses. Students book a time that is suitable for them to take the exam in one of these rooms. If a student does not live near one of the LAB/LUT campuses, the exam can also be taken at other university of applies sciences or university examination rooms - more information will be provided during the course.

If a retake is necessary, this can be discussed with the teacher on a case-by-case basis, but will only apply in exceptional cases.

Learning environment

Moodle (including external links for texts needed for reading).

Student time use and work load

The overall workload estimate is 81 hours of individual work, including studying the course materials, reading texts, completing quizzes, completing practice assignments, and working on the assignment. It is expected students will adhere to given deadlines.

Contents

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

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

The course is taught at minimum of B2 level, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Assessment criteria

The final course grade will be based on the following:
- Completion of the theory assignment (Pass/Fail)
- Quiz results in the 'Testing' section
- Final assignment (Grade 0-5)

The student must complete and pass all work in the final section of the course in order to pass the course.

The student must complete all work in the course during the implementation time of the course.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The student fails to complete the assignments in time or the submitted assignment repeatedly fails 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 and 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, and 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, and 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.