Professional English II

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation31.01.2021

Responsible UnitLanguage Centre

Course developer

lect.

Aija Pētersone

Mg. paed.

Prior knowledge

ValoP295, Professional English I

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, 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 wood science, timber and furniture production, environmentally friendly technologies. 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 in the following fields:
- woodworking machines – circular saws, band saws, routers, grinders, work safety, wood cutting processes, cutting sawlogs, edging, bucking and drying of sawn timber (Test No 1);
- production of veneer and plywood, production methods, types of plywood, particle boards and their types, raw materials and production technologies, adhesives used in wood processing, their types, properties and gluing technologies,
types of joints used in joinery (Test No 2).
Skills: students are able to define terms, select professional information, think critically, participate in discussions applying professional terminology and communication skills: in written form - writing descriptions, summaries, business letters; orally - in discussions, dialogues, giving presentations.
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.
The assessment according to the 10 point scale.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Woodworking machines. General characterization. Understanding instructions. 2h
2. Safety requirements for woodworking machines and tools. Work safety. 2h
3. Cutting sawlogs. Edging and bucking of sawn timber. 2h
4. Test 1. Production of veneer. Production of plywood. Describing a process. 2h
5. Production of particle boards. 2h
6. Adhesives used in wood processing. Gluing technologies. Summarising. 2h
7. Wood work. Design. Joinery. 2h
8. Joiner`s profession. Wood working with hand tools. 2h
9. Types of joints used in joinery. Forming technique of joints and their durability. Comparison. 2h
10. Test 2. Furniture production. Tree species used in furniture production. Furniture styles.2h
11. Furniture repair and restoration. Traditions of craft and furniture making in Latvia. 2h
12. Wood-carving. Wood-carving tools. 2h
13. Environmentally friendly timber industry. Wood fuel. 2h
14. Business communication. Formal letters. Cover letter. Invitation to a conference. CV. 2h
15. Formal and informal electronic letters. Telephone conversations. 1h
16. Presentation about a topic related to the speciality. 3h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Examination.
It is made up of cumulative assessment.
Successfully written 2 tests, the glossary of terms for each topic, timely completed home works, completed individual work (reading of professional texts, presentation on a selected topic, the glossary of terms, summary). Tests and home works shall have 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: 20 000 characters);
2. A written summary (the amount – 2000 characters);
3. Prepared PPoint presentation and oral presentation (8-10 minutes) in front of the class;
4. Submitted glossary of terms (30 terms- translated, 20 terms- defined/ explained).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The cumulative assessment is composed of the grades in 2 tests and a presentation of the individual work.The grade in tests is successful if at least 70% of the answers are correct. All home works should receive a successful grade.

Compulsory reading

1. Coulson J. Wood in Construction : How to Avoid Costly Mistakes. Chichester : Wiley-Blackwell, 2012, 208 p. ISBN 9780470657775
2. Engineered wood. [tiešsaiste] [ Skatīts 31.01.2021] Pieejams: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineered_wood
3. Filson A. Design for CNC: furniture projects and fabrication technique. San Francisco, CA : Maker Media, 2017, 335p. ISBN 9781457187421
4. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking: tools, techniques, projects, picture framing ... London: Hermes House, 2009, 512 p. ISBN 9781572155817
5. Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material. General Technical Report. USDA, Madison. 2010, 508 p.[tiešsaiste][Skatīts 31.01.2021] Pieejams: https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fpl_gtr190.pdf

Periodicals and other sources

1. Baltic Timber Journal. ISSN-1691-0494
2. European Journal of Wood and Wood Products. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 31.01.2021.] Pieejams: https://www.springerprofessional.de/en/european-journal-of-wood-and-wood-products/4941462 ISSN: 1436736X, 00183768
3. Journal of Wood Science. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 31.01.2021.] Pieejams: https://jwoodscience.springeropen.com/articles ISSN: 1611-4663
4. Modern furniture manufacturing [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 31.01.2021.] Pieejams: https://www.britannica.com/topic/furniture-industry/Modern-furniture-manufacturing

Notes

The course is included in the compulsory part of the professional Bachelor`s degree study programme Wood Processing.

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