Improve Your English (5 op)

Arviointiasteikko

0-5

Tavoitteet

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.

Sisältö

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.

Aika ja paikka

Between 13.02.2023 - 21.04.2022 in Jyväskylä on the JAMK Rajakatu campus.

Oppimateriaalit

The materials will be found on our Moodle-web platform with possible additional materials dealt out by the teacher. There will be no additional literature that students need to buy on their own.

Opetusmenetelmät

The format of this course will be weekly classroom contact teaching at the JAMK campus in Jyväskylä. We are very hopeful that the pandemic situation does not flare up in the Spring of 2023 and we are spared of any online implementations via Zoom. Let us hope together that all sessions can be held in person in a classroom.

Please note that in the case of singular abscences there will be no recordings of our contact sessions or live streaming of the sessions as they happen. This is not a course that can be done at an independent pace without participating in weekly sessions.

The course will lead to a written + listened final exam via other written and oral assignments, while class attendance and performance will also be evaluated.

In situations where a student or a portion of students get sick or cannot participate live for other pressing reasons, the teacher will take care that absentees will know what was done during the sessions that they missed so that they can catch up later on their own time.

Tenttien ajankohdat ja uusintamahdollisuudet

The final exam will be held in April 2023. Re-sit chances can be had either at the end of the same Spring term or if possible for the student, in September 2023.

Toteutuksen valinnaiset suoritustavat

None.

Opiskelijan ajankäyttö ja kuormitus

Contact teaching 30-34 hours, Independent work outside of lessons 100-101 hours, for a total of 135 hours (one credit equals 27 hours of student work).

Arviointikriteerit, tyydyttävä (1)

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)

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.

Arviointikriteerit, kiitettävä (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.

Esitietovaatimukset

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).

Lisätiedot

Alongside a written + listened final exam via other written and oral assignments, the course will contain two small grammar exams spread across the middle of our schedule. Class attendance and active participation will also be evaluated.