Opetussuunnitelmat

Objective

The purpose of the course is to improve your knowledge in basic and intermediate grammar and vocabulary, as well as give you confidence in spoken English.

During the course, you will refine your grammar and practice your spoken English through activities such as group discussions and text-based speaking activities. You will have an opportunity to practice speaking in multicultural groups and also with native Finnish speakers. Writing texts, such as essays and reports, will also be included in your curriculum.

After completing the course, you will be more confident in expressing yourself in English in different written and spoken contexts.

Content

The central contents of the course include basic and intermediate grammar, for example verb conjugation, noun declension, conditionals, prepositions and quantity words, and vocabulary related to, for example, cultures, travelling, sustainability and employment.

After the course, you will have improved your personal communication skills in speaking and writing. You will also be directed to rich materials from which you can seek out additional information both during the course and well after the course has been completed.

Location and time

At the JAMK campus throughout the Fall term of 2022 according to our preset schedule.

Oppimateriaali ja suositeltava kirjallisuus

Provided at the beginning of the course via the Moodle-online study platform and on paper if individually needed.

Teaching methods

Unless otherwise mandated, this course will be normal face-to face teaching and teamwork at the JAMK campus at Rajakatu 35 in Jyväskylä according to the announced weekly schedule - Again, unless otherwise mandated due to unforeseen circumstances.

Thus, IMPORTANT! This course will be held with classroom contact as long as the pandemic situation allows it. If at any point during the fall JAMK has to deny this, the entire course will be held live online with Zoom-sessions until further notice. Please note that there will be no recordings of the contact sessions or streaming of the sessions as they happen. This is not a course that can be done at an independent pace without weekly sessions.

In situations where a student or a portion of students get sick and cannot participate, the teacher will take care that absentees will know what was done during the sessions that they missed.

Employer connections

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Exam schedules

Two smaller grammar tests mid-course and a final written exam in December 2022. Two resit opportunities maximum during January-February of 2023.

International connections

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Vaihtoehtoiset suoritustavat

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Student workload

Contact teaching 10 x 2,5 h + independent work = Total 135 h (one credit equals 27 hours of student work). Due to timetable restrictions, there will only be 10 contact lessons. Thus, the amount of individual work is significant. Please note this while planning your personal schedule.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Arviointikriteerit, tyydyttävä (1-2)

1 The students are able to communicate understandably both in speech and writing in simple and routine situations. They can understand the central content of speech and writing dealing with familiar topics. They have a sufficient command of the basic structures of the language so as to be able to usually deliver their message. The level of their pronunciation is sufficient for the delivery of the main content of their message.

2 The students are able to communicate understandably both orally an in writing in familiar situations although their language use is at times slow and incoherent. They understand clear speech and writing with familiar content. They have a reasonable command of the basic structures of the language although they also show uncertainty in their correct use. Their vocabulary is sufficient for every-day situations. The level of their pronunciation is sufficient for the delivery of content.

Arviointikriteerit, hyvä (3-4)

3 The students can manage well both oral and written situations in every-day life. They understand speech with a normal tempo and texts dealing with general topics, but unusual topics and language deviating from standard use cause difficulties. They can use the basic grammatical structures of the language. Their use of grammar is not error-free, but their errors do not hinder communication. The students’ command of the vocabulary of the language is sufficient for communicating the central content in different situations. Their pronunciation is on an adequate level.

4 The students are able to communicate fluently in different situations and produce clear and fluent language. They have no difficulty in understanding speech with a normal tempo and texts dealing with general topics although expressions deviating from the standard use of the language cause problems to some extent. The students have a good command of the language and its use, but occasional problems may arise.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 The students are able to communicate fluently and actively participating. They can also apply the learning content of the course in versatile ways. They have no difficulties in understanding speech with a normal tempo and texts dealing with general topics although fine nuances and speech deviating significantly from standard language can be challenging. The students can produce almost errorless speech and writing. Their language use has no major defects.

Qualifications

Your English skills should be on level A2 in the Common European Framework of Reference (https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/sites/default/files/cefr-en.pdf).

Further information

The course is primarily intended for exchange students and international degree students.