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Professional English II

Course developers

Prior knowledge

ValoP299, 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 and scientific literature, explaining and comparing processes and phenomena, participating in discussions, giving presentations in professional and academic environment as well as for communication with foreign students, specialists and academic staff. The focus is on the terminology pertaining to Forest engineering and related fields (forest science and wood processing). 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: soil formation, forest soil, population of forest animals, Hunting Law, types of hunting (Test No1); damages to forests caused by pests and diseases, forest protection, forest fires, natural and artificial regeneration of forests, growing of planting material for forests (Test No 2); sustainable use of nature resources, the role of forests in the context of climate change, sustainable forest management, WWF and other international organisations (Test No 3).
Skills: students are able to define or explain terms, select professional and scientific information,think critically, explain processes and phenomena, participate in discussions, applying professional terminology, communication skills and academic language skills: in writing business letters,essays, summaries business letters; orally: in discussions, dialogues, role plays, 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. Forest Law of the Republic of Latvia. Terminology of laws and regulations. Definitions. 2h.
2. Historical insight into the development of logging machinery. Summarising 2 h
3. The process of tree felling. Observing safety rules. 2h
4. Power saws and brush cutters – their use and maintenance. Understanding instructions.2h
5. Harvesters, harwarders and forwarders - specifications and productivity. 2h
6. Test No1. (Terminology) Work safety in logging operations. Ergonomics. 2h
7. Types of felling. Commercial thinning. Shelterwood felling. Clearcutting. Analysing and comparing. 2h
8. Delimbing, bucking and bunching of stems. 2h
9. Timber landings and the work performed there. 2h
10.Hauling of logs. Transportation modes and comparison of their productivity. 2h
11.Forest soils. The impact of forest machines on forest soil. Protective meassures. 2h
12.Test No 2. (Terminology) Business communication -applications, CVs, etc. 2h
13. Forest protection from fire, diseases and pests. Explaining causes and consequences. 2h
14. Hunting. Hunting ethics. Hunting law of the Republic of Latvia. Definitions.2h
15. Wood as a resource of energy. Sawmill industry. 1h
16. Presenting and discussing students’ individual presentations in a seminar setting. 3h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Examination. The examination consists of: - a terminology test, - a presentation. A student is allowed to take the examination if there are: successfully written 2 tests, the glossary of terms for each topic, timely completed home works, completed individual work (reading of professional texts, the prepared PPoint presentation on the selected topic, the glossary of terms). Tests and home works are with a positive evaluation. The number of missed classes shall not exceed 20%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Individual semester work:
1. Reading independently chosen professional texts (the amount: 20 000 characters);
2. Prepared PPoint presentation (8-10 minutes) and presented at the end of the semester;
3. Glossary of terms –compiled and submitted (30 terms - translated, 20 – defined/explained).
4. Students are able to write and present a summary of the chosen text, present the summary, compare facts, express ideas, make

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The examination grade is calculated as an arithmetic mean of grades obtained in two examination tasks. The grade in the terminology test is successful if at least 70% of the answers are correct.

Compulsory reading

1. West, P.W., Tree and Forest Measurement. Springer. 2015. 214 lpp. ISBN 978-3-319-14707-9
2. Forest Sector Terminology. Glossary of forest sector terminology used in the European Union and other international legislation. English - Latvian - English. TTC, Meža attīstības fonds. Madris, 2007.151 lpp. ISBN 978-9984-31-433-4
3. Technology Improvement for Logging:
[tiešsaiste] (skatīts 27.03.2022). Pieejams: https://www.oregonloggers.org/Forest_Logging_Technology.aspx

Further reading

1.Eco-Link. Technology in the Forest [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 27.03.2022). Pieejams: https://ucanr.edu/sites/SFIT/files/190680.pdf
2. Hunting Law [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 23.02.2022). Pieejams:
https://likumi.lv/ta/en/id/77455-hunting-law

Periodicals and other sources

1. Hunting in Latvia: [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 27.03.2022). Pieejams: https://www.latvia.travel/en/article/hunting
2. International Forest Policy. ISSN 1058-6768
3. Journal of Forest Science. ISSN-1212-4834 (Print), ISSN 1805-935X (On-line)
4. Wildfires [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 27.03.2022). Pieejams: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/wildfires

Notes

The course has been included in the compulsory part of the full and part-time professional Bachelor’s degree programme “Forest Engineer” of the Forest Faculty