English at Work (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

Online (Zoom) lessons according to the following schedule:

Monday, September 1 from 10.30–12.00
Monday, September 15 from 10.30–12.00
Monday, October 6 from 10.30–12.00
Monday, October 27 from 10.30–12.00

Objective

The objectives of the course are as below:
• In the course English at Work, you will learn to operate in English in situations related to international working life.
• You will develop proficiency in English communication within various contexts related to the global working environment. You will enhance your self-confidence in both spoken and written communication, ensuring your ability to successfully navigate through various professional scenarios. Additionally, you will learn how to stay updated with local and global developments in your field.
• You will learn to apply the standards and conventions specified in Jamk's Project Reporting Instructions to create written reports on assigned topics. Furthermore, you will acquire the skills to deliver coherent presentations on various subjects relevant to the workplace.

Course competences
• Internationalization

The learning objectives of the course
• By the end of the course, you will have the competence to write and speak effectively in various professional settings using vocabulary relevant to your field.

Content

Workplace communication and interpersonal relations: e.g., job seeking, workplace dynamics, meetings, small talk, customer service, telephoning, emailing, and expressing opinions.

Formal text production: e.g., creating essays, reports and summaries, conforming to the standards and conventions of Jamk’s Project Reporting Instructions.

Developing and delivering coherent presentations.

Location and time

This course will be implemented during the Autumn semester 2025 from September 1, 2025–November 9, 2025 as online learning with a timetable.

The Moodle workspace opens to students approximately one week before course start.

The course starts on September 1, 2025.

The final date for assignment submissions is November 9, 2025. After this date, you cannot submit your assignments anymore.

The course ends on November 9, 2025.

Course assessments will be ready by December 8, 2025.

Materials

American Psychological Association. (2020). *Publication manual of the American Psychological Association* (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Teaching methods

Online learning with a timetable.

Exam schedules

Oral exam submission: Sunday, November 9, 2025

Resit 1: Sunday, November 16, 2025

Resit 2: Sunday, November 23, 2025

Completion alternatives

Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (eRPL):

Depending on your prior studies or informal learning and experience, you may be able to replace this compulsory language course through accreditation of higher education studies or recognition of informal learning. To find out if you qualify and to submit an eRPL application, read the Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience page using the following URL (copy and paste the address into your browser's address bar):

https://jamkstudent.sharepoint.com/:u:/r/sites/Kieli-ja-viestintaopinnot-Elmo/SitePages/en/Recognition-of-prior-learning-and-experience.aspx?csf=1&web=1&e=KjY9bq

Student workload

Student workload for this course is 135 hours spread out over the course of 10 weeks, which translates to approximately 13.5 hours of study per week. The course is managed and implemented according to a fairly fast-paced and intensive schedule, so please be aware of this and prepared to maintain the necessary output of work to stay with the program.

Weekly study may include any or all of the following:

* contact and/or virtual lesson attendance (1.5 hrs),
* reading course materials and messages in Moodle (2 hrs),
* homework (4 hrs),
* group meetings (4 hrs),
* practice and self-study regarding the use of hardware and software for making various types of recordings (2 hrs)

Note: The workload plan presented above is not necessarily meant to be prescriptive. Each student will have different, unique learning needs and study preferences/habits, so there will naturally be some variance from student to student in terms of how much total time is spent on the course, how many hours per week, etc.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1 - You can communicate understandably in both speech and writing for simple and routine work tasks and other situations. You understand central content in speech and writing on familiar topics, with a sufficient command of basic language structures. Your pronunciation is adequate, and you act responsibly, completing all assignments. However, your performance demonstrates only basic understanding and learning.

2 - You can communicate understandably in speech and writing in routine work duties and familiar situations, although your language use may be slow and incoherent at times. You understand clear speech and writing with familiar content, possess an adequate command of language structures, and have a sufficient vocabulary for daily and basic field-specific situations. Your pronunciation is sufficient, and you consistently perform above the minimum expectations on assignments.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3 - You can manage well in both oral and written situations in working and everyday life. You can write coherent texts, understand speech at a normal tempo, and use grammatical structures flexibly. Although you may have difficulty with unusual topics and non-standard language, you can understand demanding written content related to your field. Your vocabulary is sufficient even for demanding tasks, your pronunciation is clear, and you consistently perform above the minimum expectations on assignments.

4 - You can communicate fluently in various situations and produce clear, fluent language with adequate style. You have no difficulty under-standing and producing the speech and writing needed in working life, although deviations from standard language may pose some challenges. You have a good command of the language and consistently meet or exceed stated expectations on assignments.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 - You can communicate fluently in a wide variety of working life situations, demonstrating versatility and an appropriate sense of style in all course tasks. You have no difficulties in understanding different language users, although fine nuances and significant deviations from standard language can be challenging. You have an excellent command of the language and consistently meet or exceed stated expectations on assignments.

Qualifications

The course is on level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. If the course Improve your English was recommended to you at the beginning of your studies, please take it before enrolling for English at Work.

In this course you will need basic ICT skills, such as word processing and creating video files.

Further information

Course assignments: Individual and pair work reviewed and approved primarily by the course lecturer. Students will also take part in self- and peer assessment.

Oral exam: Criterion-referenced assessment designed by the course lecturer and enhanced by AI (Copilot).