English for Master Students

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes24

Independent study hours57

Date of course confirmation17.03.2021

Responsible UnitLanguage Centre

Course developer

Sociālo un humanitāro zinātņu institūts

Ina Gode

Dr. paed.

Course abstract

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 Forestry. The English language proficiency level corresponds to at least level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for foreign languages.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge and understanding of terminology of the industry. Students know terms from the field of:
- types and methods of scientific research, Master's thesis, its structure, plagiarism, types of plagiarism.
(Test No 1);
- summary, annotation, description of tables and images in scientific work.
(Test No 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: evaluation in written form - writing essays, summary, annotation, business letters; 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. Evaluation takes place in each lesson, regularly checking the completed tasks.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Scientific research, its role in sectors of national economy and its specifics in globalization. 2h
2. Types and methods of scientific research. Master's thesis, its structure. 2h
3. Working with Scientific Literature. Plagiarism. Types of plagiarism. 2h
4. Formulation of the goal, tasks and hypothesis of the Master's thesis. 2h
5. Topicality and novelty of Master's thesis. Justification of the choice of research topic. 2h
6. Analysis of scientific texts by acquiring the necessary terms. 2h
7. Essay Development in English. Specialty of essay writing, components, choice of language elements. 2h
8. Test No 1 terminology. 2h
9. Summary analysis. 2h
10. Annotation Analysis. 2h
11. Ensuring the competitiveness of the household sector in the labor market. 2h
12. Research Methods. Bibliographic description of the literature used. 2h
13. Descriptions of Tables and Images in Scientific Work. Presentation skills. 2h
14. Test No 2 (summary, description of table and image in scientific work). Creating a sample of the Master's Thesis introduction. 2h
15. Preparation of a scientific publication. Annotation of a scientific article. 2h

16. Development of an Annotation Sample for Master's Thesis. Presentation analysis. 2h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Examination.
The examination consists of:
• a terminology test,
• 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%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Individual work:
1. reading of an independently chosen professional text (the amount: 10 000 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.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

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.

Compulsory reading

1. De Chazal, E., Rogers, L. Oxford EAP. Oxford University Press, 2013. 224 p. ISBN 9780194001939
2. Godfrey, J. The Academic Phrase Book: Vocabulary for Writing at University, 2013. Basingstoke. Palgrave. Macmillan. 217 p. ISBN-13: 978-0230289338
3. McCarthy, M., O'Dell, F. Academic Vocabulary in Use: 50 units of academic vocabulary reference and practice: self-study and classroom use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008. 176 p. ISBN 9780521689397

4. Adrian Wallwork. English for Academic Research: Writing Exercises. Springer New York Heidelberg Dordrecht London, 2013. 190 p. ISBN 978-1-4614-4297-4

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Agricultural Engineering (JAE) eISSN 2239-6268 https://www.agroengineering.org/index.php/jae [skatīts 17. 03. 2021.]
2. Agricultural Engineering http://ageng.asu.lt/ae [skatīts 17. 03 2021.] eISSN 2345-0371

3. Research in Agricultural Engineering (RAE) ISSN 1805-9376 (On-line) https://www.agriculturejournals.cz/web/rae/ [skatīts 17. 03 2021.]

Notes

The study course is included in the compulsory part of the TF master's study program "Agricultural Engineering"

Atsauksmes