LV EN RU DE FR

Professional English IV

Course developer

Prior knowledge

ValoP229, Professional English I

ValoP231, Professional English II

ValoP233, Professional English III

Course abstract

The course is aimed at the acquisition of knowledge and skills in professional foreign languages with the express purpose of extending the students` professional qualification and improving the students` communication skills with foreign students and specialists (including work placement abroad, participation in guest lectures, work in joint venture companies, etc.). The study course envisages the mastering of language skills in various forms and levels of communication – reading, speaking, listening, and writing focusing on the terminology of civil engineering.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

• knowledge - terminology related to architecture, engineering, construction, professional information in the English language; the knowledge of the language use in the professional area
• skills - students are able to apply the knowledge and communicative skills, including reading, speaking, listening and writing skills, in their professional activities, participating in discussions, seminars, making presentations. Students are able to use professional terminology in various communicative situations . They are able to search, select, structure and analyse necessary information in a foreign language on the web, use professional dictionaries
• competence - students have improved the competence of professional foreign language in order to use both spoken and written foreign language corresponding to a communicative situation: professional activity, student mobility and in academic environment.

Compulsory reading

1. Ibbotson M. Cambridge English for Engineering. Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2008. 112 p.
2. Ibbotson M. Professional English in Use. Engineering. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2009. 144 p.
3. Killers V.K. Latviešu – angļu ilustrētā būvniecības terminu vārdnīca. Rīga: ‘Avots’, 1999. 203 lpp.
4. Bonamy D. Technical English 2 (Pre-inter). Pearson Education Ltd, 2008. 124 p.

Further reading

1. Graham P. Building Ecology: first principles for a sustainable built environment. Oxford: Blackwell Science. 2003. 290 p.
2. Badger I., Pedley S. Everyday Business Writing. Pearson Education Ltd, 2008. 95 p.
3. Love T. W. Construction manual: concrete and form work. Craftsman Book Company, 2005. 158 p.