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Professional English

Course developers

Course abstract

The study course is aimed at the acquisition of knowledge and skills in the foreign language studies implementing student’s centered studies with the purpose of extending students’ professional qualification and improving communication skills with foreign students, specialists and in the academic environment. The course envisages the mastering of the English language skills in various forms and levels focusing on the terminology of Pedagogy, Psychology, Teaching and Learning.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge of terminology of the industry. Students know terms from the field of:
-education systems in Latvia and EU, vocational education in Latvia and EU, guidelines in vocational education, pedagogical process, pedagogical skills (Test No 1);
– teaching methods, forms of instruction, teaching aids in the study process, 21st century skills and competences, self-directed and deep learning in professional education, aspects of cross-cultural communication in education (Test No 2).
Knowledge of English academic language use:
the prepared report on the results of a course project.
Skills to apply professional terminology and communicative skills: in writing essays, business letters; orally in discussions, dialogues, role plays, giving a presentation, making presentation of the research results, participating in the scientific discussion on the research results.
Competence of professional foreign language in order to apply English creatively in spoken and written communication for professional and research activities, student mobility and in academic and professional environment.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. The Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Introduction to the speciality, English for specific purposes.2h
2. Education systems in the EU.2h
3. Vocational education in the EU.2h
4. Formation of pedagogical skills.2h
5. Interaction in the educational process.2h
6. Development of professional skills. (Test No 1).2h
7. Teaching process in vocational education.2h
8. Teaching aids in the study process.2h
9. Teaching methods.2h
10. Forms of instruction in teaching/learning.2h
11. A Memorandum on Lifelong Learning; formal, non-formal and informal education.2h
12. Psychological aspects of learning.2h
13. 21st century knowledge, skills, competences. Aspects of cross-cultural communication in education.2h
14. Business letter. Cover letter. (Test No 2).2h
15. Basic principles of making presentations.2h
16. Students presentations, discussion. 2h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Formal test with a mark.
It is made up of cumulative assessment.

Successfully written 2 tests, timely completed homework, completed individual work (reading of professional texts, presentation on a selected topic, and the glossary of terms). Tests and homework are with a positive evaluation. The number of the missed classes shall not exceed 20%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Individual work:
1. Reading of the independently chosen professional texts (the amount: 10,000 characters);
2. Prepared PPoint presentation and oral presentation (8-10 minutes) in front of the class;
3. Submitted glossary of terms (30 terms, 30 translations, 20 definitions).
Students are able to prepare a summary of the chosen text, present the summary, compare facts, express ideas, make conclusions and answer the questions, have a scientific discussion on the research results.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The cumulative assessment (pass with a mark) is composed of the grades in tests, home assignments, assessment during classes and a presentation of the individual work. The grade in tests is successful if at least 60% of the answers are correct.

Compulsory reading

1.Williams M., Mercer S., Ryan S. Exploring Psychology in Language Learning and Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015. 168 p. ISBN 978-019-442399
2. Fullan, M., Langworthy, M. Towards a New End: New Pedagogies for Deep Learning. Washington: Collaborative Impact, 2013. 31 p. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 1.06.2020.] Pieejams: https://www.newpedagogies.org
3. Dignen B. Communicating Across Cultures. Cambrigde University Press, 2011. 96 p. ISBN 978-0-521-18198-3

Further reading

1.Gairns R., Redman S. Oxford Word Skills. Intermediate. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. 254 p. ISBN 978 -019-462004 8.
2. Education for people and planet: creating sustainable futures for all: Global education monitoring report, 2016. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. - Second edition. - Paris: UNESCO, 2016. 535p. [tiešsaiste] [Skatīts 1.06.2020.] Pieejams: https://www.unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000245752
3.A Memorandum on Lifelong Learning, 2000. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 1.06.2020.] Pieejams: https://arhiv.acs.si/dokumenti/

Periodicals and other sources

1.21.gadsimta prasmes un izaicinājumi izglītībā [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 1.06.2020.] Pieejams: https://www.kidsskills.org/
2. The School of Life – psiholoģiskās attīstības aspekti, mācības; The Shool of Life for Business, 20 Key Emotional Skills for the Workplace [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 1.06.2020.] Pieejams: https://www.theschooloflife.com/london/

Notes

The course is included in the compulsory part of the part-time 1st level study programme Teacher of Vocational Education