Study Guide

Learning outcomes

Proficiency level: B2

Students are able to
- communicate clearly and effectively in different generic and field-specific work place situations both orally and in writing
- find, evaluate and use information effectively
- function collaboratively in international working environments.

Implementation and methods of teaching

Online course.
The focus is on learning through individual guided work and active participation in online group work which aim to simulate the activities of professional engineers. In addition to reading about various developments in engineering and listening to authentic discussions on them, students will also discuss the developments themselves, take part in different oral and writing activities.

Timing and attendance

Periods 3-4 (Spring 2025)
Online lessons during weeks 5 and 7 lasting for 2 hours. Active participation is compulsory. Students complete extra assignments for unattended lessons.
Students deliver a presentation during the last lesson (week 15). There are three time options to participate. If a student does not attend the last lesson, they will be asked to record a video presentation. The grade for a video presentation will be lower.

Learning material and recommended literature

All course materials are provided via the learning platform Moodle.
Authentic articles, videos, podcasts are used as materials for the course.

Alternative completion methods

If a student recognizes that they already meet the learning objectives of the course through for example, working in an international environment, it is possible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning and complete the course via demonstration. Demonstration usually includes completing a Language Portfolio, submitting several documents demonstrating that you have achieved the learning outcomes of the course, and an oral interview with the course teacher.
For more information, please contact the teacher.

Exam retakes

The course is evaluated based on continuous evaluation, all course assignments impact the course grade. Retakes of the course assignments are allowed only in case a student fails the assignment.
It is not possible to upgrade the course grade.

Learning environment

Learning platform Moodle.
Online lessons in Zoom.

Student time use and work load

4 ECTS course, which means about 108 hours of student work.
The student's workload consists of studying theory, watching video materials, completing assignments for the teacher's evaluation, giving peer feedback, completing 3 Moodle tests, completing interactive exercises in Moodle, and participating in online lessons.

Contents

This course covers current topics of relevance to the engineering profession:

Job Application Processes: crafting CVs, optimizing LinkedIn profiles, creating video applications, and preparing for job interviews.
Engineering Terminology and Concepts: exploring topics such as pollution, energy, transport, digitalization, or innovations, with a focus on a student’s chosen field of study.
Professional Communication: developing skills for professional meetings, formal writing, and delivering speeches.
Improving English Skills: utilizing dictionaries, AI, and other tools to enhance language proficiency.

This course aims to provide a solid foundation for professional growth in the engineering field.

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

The course is taught at a B2 level according to the Common European Framework.

Assessment criteria

The course is evaluated on the basis of continuous evaluation, all course assignments impact the course grade.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The student’s language skills are below the required B2 level of competence, The student is therefore unable to perform the tasks of the course to an acceptable level. In particular, the student:
• struggles to follow texts and discourse on developments in engineering
• is not able to participate independently in international professional activities, but would need a great deal of help to communicate and understand what is going on.

Assessment criteria: assessment scale failed/approved

The student has good overall English skills (a solid B2 level of competence), and also attempts occasionally to express more complex ideas using higher level language, with varying degrees of success. By and large, the student demonstrates sufficiently good ability to:
• follow and discuss, on a professional level, developments in the engineering field.
• participate successfully in international professional activities, such as seminars, conferences, interviews, presentations and meetings.

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

The student has a satisfactory knowledge of the course content.

The speech is understandable with some difficulty to follow. Interaction is mostly missing. The 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 some 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, interacts adequately and uses means of nonverbal communication. The speech is fairly easy to follow. The speech is fluent and clear, but pauses, hesitations and pronunciation mistakes may occur.

Written communication is quite fluent, 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 skilful, and nonverbal communication effectively supports spoken words. The speech is targeted, extremely logical, relevant and consistent. The speech (language, pronunciation and intonation) is fluent, clear, accurate and naturally paced.

Written communication is very 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.