Foreign Language 1 -English- S7 Scientific Communication

ECTS

SEMESTER

lectures

classes / seminars

practical work

integrative teaching

independent work

0h

28hrs

0h

0h

7hrs

Language used

English

Course supervisor(s)

Key words

fluency, reports, abstracts, presentations

Prerequisites

Minimum CEFR level B2

The main objective of the course is to increase the student's awareness of relevant aspects of academic English in order to improve the effectiveness of their oral and written expression. We will be focusing on academic presentations and the structure of problem – solution written essays.

Presentation skills

• Presenting visual information and slide design.
• Describing change – verbs of change, facts & figures.
• Story telling as an introduction technique to capture an audience’s attention.
• The importance of body language – functional gesturing.

Academic writing skills

• Features of academic English.
• Referencing – why, when and how – the mechanics of referencing, verbs of reference.
• Problem – solution essay structure.
• Abstracts and introductions – what to include.

Themes

We will be looking at the following themes (non-exhaustive list):-

Achieving sustainability – energy mix, energy transition, water, population

Existential threats to civilisation – AI, economic collapse, nuclear war, climate change

Assessment

• A three-minute thesis style presentation of a problem linked to sustainability and how the students (future) field of study could address the problem.
• An abstract based on student project work.
• An assessed scientific seminar.

Considerable input is required of the student. While level of English is not a deciding factor, motivation and commitment are of the utmost importance when choosing this module.

Levels

Description and operational verbs

Know

Know the various techniques necessary to render a presentation lively and interesting, formal professional English, technical English syntax and the structure of a scientific report.

Understand

Understand the specific communication techniques used by efficient public speakers, differentiate between written academic and technical English.

Apply 

Write reports, perform presentations on technical subjects, write an abstract.

Analyse 

Analyse the structures and skills necessary to perform a successful presentation and write a convincing scientific report.

Summarise

Write an abstract based on a scientific report or research project.

Assess

Estimate the quality of his/her own communication and the communication of others in order to improve and perfect the necessary skills.

Continuous assessment

Written test

Oral presentation / viva

Written report / project