Course detail

English for doctoral study

FP-RajDAcad. year: 2019/2020

The course is intended for students who have chosen English for the compulsory language examination within the doctoral study programme.

Language of instruction

English

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Student has to demonstrate very good knowledge of English at level of professional user (C1 as minimum). Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

Prerequisites

Very good knowledge at C1 level as minimum.
Grammar:
- very good knowledge of grammar at advanced level (C1) as minimum
- grammar items typical for professional writing
Vocabulary:
- very good knowledge of general vocabulary
- very good knowledge of professional terminology according to the topic of the research work.
Investigator verifies the knowledge of vocabulary by the test as conversations about scientific publication.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course includes individual work of students and the examination that evaluates their language level and skills according to the examination requirements.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Student has to demonstrate very good knowledge of all language skills – reading and listening comprehension, writing, speaking.

Reading:
200 pages of specialized book from the field of study that must not be older than 10 years, and cannot be a translation into English. Student brings this specialized book (in case of electronic resources can be negotiated with the investigator to send a link or send it in electronic form). Reading comprehension will be tested in conversation, translation of selected parts and text analysis.
To the reading comprehension to compile a vocabulary of key terms, concepts and terms, which the student mastered by reading. This vocabulary can be tested in the exam. The range of vocabulary depends on the level of student's knowledge.
– Wordlist of specialized terminology, at lest 100 terms.
Vocabulary should be sent with the written assignments electronically.

To the reading comprehension to compile a vocabulary of key terms, concepts and terms, which the student mastered by reading. This vocabulary can be tested in the exam. The range of vocabulary depends on the level of student's knowledge.
– Wordlist of specialized terminology, at lest 100 terms.
Vocabulary should be sent with the written assignments electronically.

Writing:
Individual work in which the student demonstrates skill level, ability to independently formulate ideas in a foreign language and compile text on a specialized topic in complying with the features of scientific work. The topic should be chosen in relation to doctoral thesis.
Individual work in the form of a journal article:
- conference paper
- summary of PhD dissertation
- summary of a specialized book.
The range: min. 3 standard pages (ie 1 standard page = 1500 characters without spaces).
The work shall be sent electronically to the examiner at least 14 days before the exam (together with the reading wordlist and vocabulary). The term of exam will be by agreement with examiner.
Written part testing student’s language competences (grammar and vocabulary test, writing of a short text about a vocationally-related topic).

Oral part:
Oral part will test student’s comprehension and ability to speak fluently using specialized terminology in a foreign language.

Course curriculum

There are no lessons. Students are advised to prepare individually with the help of an electronic course BUTEC-C1, which is focused on skill level and which is appropriated content and range of hours of the course requirements RAJD.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is to verify student's knowledge and all language skills at the required level.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

There are no foreign language lessons in the doctoral study programme. Students can use an electronic modul BUTEC-C1 that can be a valuable source for their study prior examination (includes basics of professional writing, soft skills video course etc.).
Students have to pass an exam only which is organized by the Institute of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Students are required to contact the examiner in the first two weeks of semester when they wish to pass the exam. The term will be then arranged via e-mail at least two weeks before the term.
Examiner: Mgr. Dita Gálová, Ph.D. (Technická 2, A1/1141, galova@fme.vutbr.cz)

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

Elearningový modul BUTEC-C1 (BUT English Campus - level C1) dostupný v elearningovém prostředí VUT v Brně. (CS)
Běžně dostupné učebnice na úrovni Advanced a vyšší. (EN)
MacKenzie, I.: English for Business Studies. Second edition. CUP (EN)
Mascull, B.: Business Vocabulary in Use. Advanced. CUP (EN)

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

2 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer