Professional EnglishLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

The student is able to communicate fluently and efficiently in English in student and working life assignments in their field in Finland and abroad, and able to use English to develop their own professional skills. The student is able to act naturally in a multicultural environment, taking into account specific characteristics of the communication situations and the other speakers' cultural and linguistic circumstances. The student is able to obtain information required in their professional field from various sources and to process and communicate about it in writing and orally. The student has a realistic perception of their language and communication skills, and takes a positive approach to developing them as part of their professional skills.

After completing the U!reka part the student
• is aware of the planetary ecological boundaries, climate change and biodiversity loss.
• understands the three dimensions of sustainable development as a systemic whole and can argue the
interdependencies between them.
• is aware of the European regulations related to digital and green transition.
• is able to identify the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and how the goals are promoted
within U!REKA cities.
• is aware of the sustainability focus within U!REKA European University Alliance.

Content

The student is able to communicate fluently and efficiently in English in student and working life assignments in their field in Finland and abroad, and able to use English to develop their own professional skills. The student is able to act naturally in a multicultural environment, taking into account specific characteristics of the communication situations and the other speakers' cultural and linguistic circumstances. The student is able to obtain information required in their professional field from various sources and to process and communicate about it in writing and orally. The student has a realistic perception of their language and communication skills, and takes a positive approach to developing them as part of their professional skills.

U!reka contents:
1. Awareness of the values and mindset behind the sustainability shift
2. Sustainability: systemicity and the ecological planetary boundaries
3. Ecological, social and economic sustainability
4. EU regulations related to digital and green transition
5. Sustainable development in European cities, case studies

Qualifications

B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

In communication situations related to their professional field, the student trusts their communication skills enough to manage professional language use situations by asking questions to check any unclear points, and thanks to their own short speeches are able to understand the other speaker's communication in order to act appropriately. The student expresses their thoughts in a simple way and for the most part coherently and reasonably understandably despite shortcomings in professional language and making grammatical errors that make it difficult for the message to get across. The student can produce simple texts of a specific format independently, and longer texts by means of language tools

U!reka part:
The student understands what planetary boundaries mean and how the UN’s 17 SDGs are connected. The student is aware of the European regulations and standards related to the digital and green transition. The student has become familiar with the green transition measures of at least one European city.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

In communication situations related to their professional field, the student trusts their communication skills enough to manage language situations in the field as expected from a professional. The student exchanges ideas on an equal basis with an independent language user, and if necessary, takes the initiative to communicate in professional language use situations, taking into account to some extent the other participants' language and cultural backgrounds and the circumstances. The student expresses themselves, without delay, clearly and in detail, using professional vocabulary accurately. The student pronounces English clearly so that the overall message is conveyed, and produces texts for different purposes, without any of the occasional weak points in the language stopping the message from getting across.

U!reka part:
The student understands what planetary boundaries mean and how the UN’s 17 SDGs are connected. The student is aware of the European regulations and standards related to the digital and green transition. The student has become familiar with the green transition measures of at least one European city.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

In communication situations related to their professional field, the student trusts their communication skills to take part and take the initiative in language use situations in various communication situations in the field, following the conventions. The student exchanges ideas clearly and fluently on an equal basis with a skilful language user, and communicates, taking the initiative if necessary, also in demanding professional language use situations, taking into account the other participants' language and cultural backgrounds. The student expresses themselves efficiently and accurately, using demanding professional vocabulary accurately. The student pronounces English clearly with natural stress and rhythm so that the overall message is emphasised, and produces clear, well-structured and compelling texts in various text types.

U!reka part:
The student understands what planetary boundaries mean and how the UN’s 17 SDGs are connected. The student is aware of the European regulations and standards related to the digital and green transition. The student has become familiar with the green transition measures of at least one European city.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

In communication situations related to their professional field, the student trusts their communication skills enough to manage professional language use situations by asking questions to check any unclear points, and thanks to their own short speeches are able to understand the other speaker's communication in order to act appropriately. The student expresses their thoughts in a simple way and for the most part coherently and reasonably understandably despite shortcomings in professional language and making grammatical errors that make it difficult for the message to get across. The student can produce simple texts of a specific format independently, and longer texts by means of language tools

U!reka part:
The student understands what planetary boundaries mean and how the UN’s 17 SDGs are connected. The student is aware of the European regulations and standards related to the digital and green transition. The student has become familiar with the green transition measures of at least one European city.

Further information

The course content is determined individually for each degree programme and integrated into the degree context in the curriculum and into substance studies.