Academic English 2 (2 cr)

Objective

Students will improve their oral and written communication skills and academic vocabulary. In written communication, the focus will be on academic writing and in oral communication, formal English language usage. This course will prepare students for writing their thesis, maturity test and abstract.

Content

Surveys, questionnaires, and interviews
Combining multiple sources (literature review) and referencing
Thesis planning

Location and time

Autumn semester for classroom sessions on campus. 12 x 1.5 hours of contact teaching; approx. 26 hours of independent work involving thesis planning or other tasks related to your R&D course.
You can finish independently in the spring semester or align it with your thesis planning timetable or R&D course.

Materials

The students are permitted to use materials related to the thesis process available on the library's website:
https://libguides.kamk.fi/thesiswritingguide
Handouts in Reppu.
Academic Writing A Handbook for International Students Stephen Bailey Routledge

Teaching methods

Contact teaching and independent study.

Exam schedules

No exam.

International connections

The course is for international and Finnish students studying in international groups.

Completion alternatives

It is highly recommended that you align your thesis planning with this course and attend the contact lessons offered in the autumn semester.
If this is not possible you may complete the course independently but your work for the course must include thesis planning and the thesis plan presentation.
It is not possible to complete this course if you have not started planning your thesis.

Student workload

Contact teaching: 12 x 1.5 hours in the autumn semester.
Independent study: approx. 26 hours
If studying independently: approx. 50 hours of work by the student

Content scheduling

Autumn semester 12 x 1.5 hours of contact teaching

Further information

This course is intended for students who will be engaged in the thesis planning/writing and presentation process during the autumn semester (2025) and at the latest during the following spring semester (2026).
During the course you will work on tasks that are relevant to your your thesis planning.
If you are studying remotely, please remember to return your assignments in good time - at least two weeks before you expect a grade.

Evaluation scale

0 - 5

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student can use the features of formal and academic writing systematically and reflectively. His/her grammar usage is impeccable. The student can write a text according to the features of academic writing with fluency using varied and appropriate vocabulary, and correctly referenced academic sources. The student has an extensive academic vocabulary. The student is able to communicate fluently in both writing and speaking while demonstrating an awareness of formal academic style.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student can identify and apply the features of academic writing fairly consistently. The student is able to use grammar correctly although some errors might occur. The student can write a text according to the main features of academic writing with relative fluency, using a variety of vocabulary and sources that are mainly referenced correctly. The student has a good command of academic vocabulary. The student is able to communicate clearly in writing and orally without reading directly from a text.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student can recognize and name the features of academic writing. However, the student's language usage may be inconsistent with the norms of standard English and academic writing and basic errors in style, grammar, pronunciation, and intonation occur. The student can write an understandable and logical text with appropriate content using some academic concepts of his/her field. The student is able to communicate the main ideas of a topic in writing and orally.

Assessment methods and criteria

0-5

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

You can use the features of formal and academic writing systematically and reflectively. Your grammar usage is impeccable. You can write a text according to the features of academic writing with fluency using varied and appropriate vocabulary, and correctly referenced academic sources. You have an extensive academic vocabulary. You can communicate fluently in both writing and speaking while demonstrating an awareness of formal academic style.

Toteutuksen arviointikriteerit, hyvä (3-4)

You can identify and apply the features of academic writing to a large extent. You can use grammar correctly although some errors might occur. You can write a text according to the main features of academic writing with relative fluency, using a variety of vocabulary and sources that are mainly referenced correctly. You have a good command of academic vocabulary. You can communicate clearly in writing and orally without reading directly from a text.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

You can recognize and name the features of academic writing. However, your language usage may be inconsistent with the norms of standard English and academic writing and basic errors in style, grammar, pronunciation, and intonation occur. You can write an understandable and logical text with appropriate content using some academic concepts of your field. You can communicate the main ideas of a topic in writing and orally.

Prerequisites

B2, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Objective

Students will improve their oral and written communication skills and academic vocabulary. In written communication, the focus will be on academic writing and in oral communication, formal English language usage. This course will prepare students for writing their thesis, maturity test and abstract.

Execution methods

Approx. 24 h lectures with discussion and 30 h of independent work by the student.
The course can be completed independently but it is recommended that students attend the lectures in person.

Accomplishment methods

The students read, present and summarize academic texts related to their thesis concept/plan OR
The course consists of lectures with discussion and independent work.
The assessed assignments consist of one piece of written work related to the thesis and one presentation.
During the lectures students are encouraged to focus on work for their thesis such as searching for academic sources, reading and making notes, planning the thesis and generally discussing the process.

Content

Surveys, questionnaires, and interviews
Combining multiple sources (literature review) and referencing
Thesis planning

Qualifications

B2, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages