Course code Valo5001
Credit points 3
Total Hours in Course81
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes24
Independent study hours57
Date of course confirmation25.10.2022
Responsible UnitLanguage Centre
Dr. paed.
The study course is aimed at the development of students’ foreign language (English) knowledge and skills necessary for comprehending, interpreting and evaluating professional information and scientific literature, explaining and comparing processes, participating in discussions, giving presentations in professional and academic environments as well as for communication with foreign students, specialists and academic staff. The focus is on the terminology related to Information Technologies (IT). The English language proficiency level corresponds to at least level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for foreign languages.
Knowledge and understanding of scientific and business language style in scientific publications and conference proceedings and IT terminology in English language. Students know terms from the field of:
•university education, computer hardware, operating systems and software; security, robotics, and artificial intelligence (Test 1);
•web design, databases, programming, and data processing (Test 2).
Skills: students are able to define terms, select professional and scientific information, think critically, explain processes, apply professional terminology, communication skills and academic language skills: in written form - writing business letters, summary, annotation; orally – participating in case studies, discussions, role plays, debates, giving a presentation, collaborating with group mates in order to achieve a task’s goal, analyzing and evaluating their learning.
Competence of professional and academic English language in order to apply it creatively in spoken and written communication for student mobility, professional and academic activities in international environment.
Assessment takes place every lesson regularly checking completed assignments.
1. Requirements of the course. University education. Scientific language style and business style in scientific publications and conference proceedings. IT terminology. Creating a glossary of terms for each topic.2h
2. Master thesis, its structure and topicality. IT Master's study and research directions.2h
3. Skills, duties required for IT specialist. Europass CV. Letter of application.2h
4. Formulation of the aim, tasks and hypothesis of the Master thesis. Discussion.2h
5. Test # 1: university education, computer hardware, operating systems and software; security, robotics, and artificial intelligence.2h
6. Research methods and methodology. Databases. Sample collection. Modelling.2h
7. Classification of data analytical methods and its characteristics. Analysis of dynamic concepts.2h
8. Analysis of the content and structure of scientific texts, acquiring necessary terms.2h
9. Descriptions of tables and images in scientific work. 2h
10. Working with scientific literature. Plagiarism.2h
11. Bibliographic description of the literature used. Electronic databases. Types and topics of scientific journals.2h
12. Use of internet resources for scientific work.2h
13. Conclusions. Summary. Annotation.2h
14. Test # 2: web design, databases, programming, and data processing.2h
15. Basic rules for making presentations. Academic presentation. Presentation of research results (independent work).2h
16. Defending independent work. Preparing for the exam. 2h
Assessment: Examination.
The examination consists of:
• a terminology test,
• giving a presentation about Master’s Thesis.
A student is admitted to the examination if: two tests are written successfully, home assignments are submitted on time and tested, individual work (reading of professional texts, prepared presentation on a chosen scientific article, glossary of terms) is completed. The number of the missed classes shall not exceed 20%.
Independent work:
1. reading of an independently chosen professional text (the amount: 40 000 characters);
2. giving a presentation (5-10 minutes) about the chosen professional text in front of the class;
3. submitted glossary of terms (30 translations, 20 definitions).
Students are able to present information, summarize it, express opinions, reason logically and answer questions about a scientific article they have read.
The cumulative assessment is composed of the grades in tests, assessment during classes, assessment for the individual work, as well as the grade for the exam. The grade in tests is successful if at least 70% of the answers are correct. Home assignments should be submitted and tested.
The examination grade is calculated as an arithmetic mean of grades obtained in two examination tasks (a presentation about Master’s thesis and a terminology test). The grade in the terminology test is successful if at least 70% of the answers are correct.
1.De Chazal E., Rogers L. Oxford EAP. A course in English for Academic Purposes. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. 224 p. ISBN: 9780194001939
2.McCarthy M., O'Dell F. Academic Vocabulary in Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2008. 176 p. ISBN-10:0521689392
3.Kramiņa I. Angļu valoda zinātniski pētnieciskai darbībai. LU, Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte, 2007. 115 lpp. ISBN 998477208X
4.Dawson C. The Mature Student's Study Guide: 2nd edition. How To Books, 2006. 211 p. ISBN: 978-1845281243
1.De Chazal E., Rogers L. Oxford EAP. A course in English for Academic Purposes. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. 224 p. ISBN: 9780194001939
2.McCarthy M., O'Dell F. Academic Vocabulary in Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2008. 176 p. ISBN-10:0521689392
3.Kramiņa I. Angļu valoda zinātniski pētnieciskai darbībai. LU, Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte, 2007. 115 lpp. ISBN 998477208X
4.Dawson C. The Mature Student's Study Guide: 2nd edition. How To Books, 2006. 211 p. ISBN: 978-1845281243
5. Polivčakova D. English for Information Technology. Informatorium Press. 2018. 95 p. ISBN 978-80-7333-135-1
1.Downing D. et al. Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms. Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 2012. 592 p. ISBN: 9780764147555
2.English for Information Technology [Tiešsaiste] [Skatīts 17.03.2020.] Pieejams: http://www.english4it.com/
The study course is included in the compulsory part of the academic Master’s degree program studies "Information Technologies".