Studying English at the Language Centre

Esitys aiheesta: "Studying English at the Language Centre"— Esityksen transkriptio:

1 Studying English at the Language Centre
Tom Toepfer 19 April 2011 Language Centre

2 Studying English at the Language Centre
Background: legal Obligatory courses: EAPS CEFR curricular goals Upper secondary schools University Advanced courses: AdvEAPS Discussion

3 background: legal requirements

4 background: legal requirements
Tutkintoon vaadittavat kieliopinnot Opiskelijan tulee alempaan tai ylempään korkeakoulututkintoon (asetus yliopistojen tutkinnoista 794/2004) sisältyvissä opinnoissa tai muulla tavalla osoittaa saavuttaneensa 1. suomen ja ruotsin kielen taidon, joka julkisyhteisöjen henkilöstöltä vaadittavasta kielitaidosta annetun lain (424/2003) 6 §:n 1 momentin mukaan vaaditaan valtion henkilöstöltä kaksikielisessä viranomaisessa ja joka on tarpeen oman alan kannalta; sekä 2. vähintään yhden vieraan kielen sellaisen taidon, joka mahdollistaa oman alan kehityksen seuraamisen ja kansainvälisessä ympäristössä toimimisen.

5 1. EAPS courses

6 1. EAPS courses valmentava opetus English Academic and Professional Skills (EAPS) -kurssit, joilla voi suorittaa tutkintoon vaadittavat kieliopinnot (eli tiedekuntakohtainen opetus) Advanced English Academic and Professional English (AEAPS) -kurssit, joilla tähdätään syvällisempään eri yhteyksissä käytettävään kielitaitoon. Näistä englannin suorituksista voi koota itselleen englannin kielen opintokokonaisuuden.

7 1. EAPS: courses offered

8 Agriculture and Forestry Arts Behavioural Science Biosciences Law
1. EAPS: courses offered Agriculture and Forestry Arts Behavioural Science Biosciences Law Maths and Science Medicine / Dentistry Pharmacy Social Science Swedish School of Social Science Theology Veterinary Science

9 1. EAPS courses: Faculty of Arts

10 1. EAPS courses: Faculty of Arts / aim
The aim of the course is for students to activate and develop all-round skills in the academic and professional English of their field and to gain confidence to communicate in situations relevant to their studies and professional life.

11 1. EAPS courses: Faculty of Arts / aim
AIMS understand general and academic spoken language, extract information and identify viewpoints discuss academic topics, presenting ideas and opinions read and understand academic texts and extract information write clear and structured academic texts using the vocabulary of their field communicate more fluently, clearly, spontaneously and accurately take responsibility for their own learning, through active engagement and self-evaluation.

12 2. CEFR curricular goals Upper secondary schools general English
English as curricular aim Universities English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Tool / instrument For learning For studies For acquiring and maintaining academic and professional competences Skills-based Work life

13 Differences between MEB and universities Goals
2. CEFR curricular goals Differences between MEB and universities Goals MEB uni/obligatory uni/electives English B2.1 B2.2-C1 C1-?C2 others B1.1 incomplete info Sources: MEB: Matriculation Examination Board FINELC: The Network of Finnish University Language Centres / projects Polytechnics: incomplete info 13

14 GENERAL LINGUISTIC RANGE
Can exploit a comprehensive and reliable mastery of a very wide range of language to formulate thoughts precisely, give emphasis, differentiate and eliminate ambiguity … No signs of having to restrict what he/she wants to say. C1 Can select an appropriate formulation from a broad range of language to express him/herself clearly without having to restrict what he/she wants to say. B2 Can express him/herself clearly and without much sign of having to restrict what he/she wants to say. Has a sufficient range of language to be able to give clear descriptions, express viewpoints and develop arguments without much conspicuous searching for words, using some complex sentence forms to do so.

15 OVERALL READING COMPREHENSION
Can understand and interpret critically virtually all forms of the written language including abstract, structurally complex, or highly colloquial literary and non-literary writings. Can understand in detail lengthy, complex texts, appreciating subtle distinctions of style and implicit as well as explicit meaning. C1 Can understand in detail lengthy, complex texts, whether or not they relate to his/her own area of speciality, provided he/she can reread difficult sections. B2 Can read with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes, and using appropriate reference sources selectively. Has a broad active reading vocabulary, but may experience some difficulty with low frequency idioms.

16 2. CEFR curricular goals Reading: postmodernistic text

17 2. CEFR curricular goals Reading: genomic biology

18 SOCIOLINGUISTIC APPROPRIATENESS
Can recognise a wide range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms, appreciating register shifts; may, however, need to confirm occasional details, especially if the accent is unfamiliar. Can follow films employing a considerable degree of slang and idiomatic usage. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes, including emotional, allusive and joking usage. B2 Can express him or herself confidently, clearly and politely in a formal or informal register, appropriate to the situation and person(s) concerned. Can with some effort keep up with and contribute to group discussions even when speech is fast and colloquial. Can sustain relationships with native speakers without unintentionally amusing or irritating them or requiring them to behave other than they would with a native speaker. Can express him or herself appropriately in situations and avoid crass errors of formulation.

19 3. Advanced courses: AdvEAPS
Advanced English Academic and Professional English (AEAPS) -kurssit, joilla tähdätään syvällisempään eri yhteyksissä käytettävään kielitaitoon. Näistä englannin suorituksista voi koota itselleen englannin kielen opintokokonaisuuden. (15-25 op.)

20 3. AdvEAPS: course offerings

21 3. AdvEAPS: course offerings
Writing for Study Purposes Academic Writing Writing for Scientists Writing in English for Career Purposes Creative Writing Academic Writing for Students in English- Medium Master’s Degree Programmes I / II* Translation

22 3. AdvEAPS: course offerings
Critical Reading Oral Fluency Presentation Skills Conference English I / II Conference Presentation Video Conferencing for Law Students Cross-Cultural Communication Preparatory Course for Students going Abroad

23 3. AdvEAPS / ex: Writing for Scientists / aims
The aim of this course is for students to improve their knowledge and understanding of the planning and writing up of scientific texts. Particular emphasis is put on writing the discussions sections and abstracts of scientific texts. More specifically, the aim of the course is that students will improve their ability to

24 3. AdvEAPS / ex: Writing for Scientists / aims
express and write scientific concepts, processes and contextualise data describe and write up results in simple scientific English read and critique academic texts in their own research area in order to write their own texts use relevant grammar structures for scientific texts write coherent and structured texts in a scientific style and format use general and specific scientific vocabulary

25 discussion: yup, it’s tricky!