2021/2022
Английский язык для специальных целей. Биология - 3
Лучший по критерию «Полезность курса для Вашей будущей карьеры»
Статус:
Факультатив
Кто читает:
Школа иностранных языков
Когда читается:
1-3 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для всех кампусов НИУ ВШЭ
Преподаватели:
Захарова Анна Викторовна
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
3
Контактные часы:
52
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course “English for biologists” is centered on the professional language and competences that are required for successful communication in the field of Biology. The course aims to advance language proficiency to the level that enables students to listen to lectures on specific biology-related issues, participate in classroom discussions, make presentations, write reviews of academic articles and descriptions of complex processes as well as perform adequately in other academic and professional contexts. The course covers a number of topics varying from the cell structure to biotechnology. The prior attention is given to development of professional vocabulary as well as reading, writing and speaking skills. This course is originally designed for students of B2+ CEFR level (HSE Scale 60-69) aspiring to excel in English for professional purposes.
Learning Objectives
- This course aims to improve students’ command of English for professional and academic communication in the area of cell and molecular biology as well as develop language skills consistent with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), B2+ level (HSE Scale 60-69). Students will expand specific vocabulary that will help them express the biology-matter content in English and use what they learn in the classroom right away in their studies. Moreover, the course facilitates students’ performance in academic and professional contexts by developing listening, reading, writing and speaking skills.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on topics related to cell and molecular biology, expanding and supporting ideas with subsidiary points and relevant examples; answer questions about biology-related topics clearly and in detail; follow extended speech and complex lines of arguments
- take notes; write a review of some book/article; produce a monologue:descriptive/informative/reasoning
- understand a wide variety of texts including specialised academic or professional publications; make presentations (can give reasons in support or against a particular point of view, give the advantages and disadvantages of various opinions)
- understand text structure; understand dialogues and polylogues on both familiar and unfamiliar topics; understand lectures; give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on topics related to cell and molecular biology, expanding and supporting ideas with subsidiary points and relevant examples; answer questions about biology-related topics clearly and in detail; write detailed descriptions of complex processes
- use a broad range of specific vocabulary in professional and academic contexts; understand a wide variety of texts including specialised academic or professional publications; use basic listening techniques (predicting, understanding main ideas and details)
- use a broad range of specific vocabulary in professional and academic contexts; understand specialised complex longer texts/articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems; understand standard spoken language, lectures and presentations on biology-related topics common for academic or vocational contexts; write detailed descriptions of complex processes,
- use basic reading techniques, skimming & scanning (predicting, understanding main ideas, understanding details); understand academic/ professional presentations which are linguistically complex; participate in debates (debate on abstract, complex topics)
Course Contents
- Topic 1. What is Biology?
- Topic 2. Cell
- Topic 3. Molecular biology of the gene
- Topic 4. Inheritance
- Topic 5. Nervous and hormonal coordination
- Topic 6. Evolution
- Topic 7. Biotechnology
Assessment Elements
- Written assessmentWritten assessment includes one reading test, one listening test, five vocabulary and grammar tests and one written work (a process diagram description). The test tasks can be of different types. The elements of written assessment cannot be retaken. Written assessment is conducted in the classroom and cannot be part of homework. GRAPH, TABLES, MAPS ASSESSMENT CRITERIA (max 10 points)Recommended word count – 150 Task Response (max 3 points) 3 points – the student fully addresses all parts of the task: clearly highlights all the key features, numbers, dates and trends, supports all the key features with data, summarises the information by selecting and reporting on the main features and makes comparisons appropriately; 2 points – the student addresses all parts of the task although some parts may be more fully covered than others: clearly highlights most of the key features, supports most of the key features with data, by selecting and reporting on some features and makes some comparisons; 1 point – the student responds to the task only in a minimal way or the answer is tangential; the format may be inappropriate: the student highlights one key feature, supports one key feature with data, summarises the information but does not make comparisons; 0 points – the student does not adequately address any part of the task: does not highlight any key features/ does not summarise the information/ does not make comparisons. Coherence and Cohesion (max 2 points) 2 points – the student writes an overview paragraph, uses a variety of linking devices appropriately, organises information and ideas logically, writes a relevant introduction, uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately; 1 point – the student writes an overview paragraph, uses a limited number of linking devices, writes an irrelevant introduction and does not use paragraphing sufficiently; 0 points – the student writes an overview paragraph, does not organise information and ideas logically, there is no introduction, the student fails to use linking devices appropriately. Lexical Resource and Register (max 2 points): 2 points – the student uses most active vocabulary items appropriately and makes no mistakes, uses a wide range of subject-specific vocabulary including some advanced lexical items, but there may be 1 inaccuracy; 1 point – the student uses only 3-4 active vocabulary items, uses a sufficient range of subject-specific vocabulary, but may make 1 mistake in spelling, word formation or word choice; 0 points – the student uses no active vocabulary items, uses basic vocabulary with very limited control of spelling, word formation and word choice, makes 2 and more lexical or spelling mistakes. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (max 2 points): 2 points – the student uses a wide range of grammar structures without mistakes; 1 point – the student uses basic grammar structures and/or makes 1 grammar mistake; 0 points – the student makes more than 2 grammar mistakes which severely impede understanding. Punctuation (max 1 point) 1 point – the students may make 1-2 punctuation errors; 0 points – the students makes more than 2 punctuation errors.
- Oral assessmentOral assessment includes one presentation with the following Q&A session and one dialogue. The elements of oral assessment cannot be retaken. Discussion assessment criteria see in the section Sample Tasks. PRESENTATION ASSESSMENT CRITERIA (max 10 points) If the content of the presentation does not relate to the topic, a student receives “0” for the whole presentation. Task Response (max 3 points): 3 points – the student fully addresses all parts of the task: the presentation corresponds to the chosen topic; it is clearly divided into introduction, main body and conclusion, all content points are covered; introduction contains the purpose and the plan of the presentation, each part of the main body has an explicit pattern of organisation (illustration, cause and effect, comparison, definition, etc.); conclusion includes both summary and the final statement and rounds the presentation of appropriately; presentation contains appropriate references in APA style in speech and slides; various coherence devices are used; 2 points – the student addresses all parts of the task although some parts may be more fully covered than others: the presentation partially corresponds to the topic, it is clearly divided into introduction, main body and conclusion and the parts of the presentation are connected with linking devices; presentation contains appropriate references in APA style in speech and slides; 1 point – the student responds to the task only in a minimal way or the answer is tangential, the format may be inappropriate: the presentation partially corresponds to the chosen topic, not all the content points are covered it is not clearly divided into introduction, main body and conclusion; presentation is free from logical fallacies; presentation does not contain appropriate references in APA style in speech and slides; 0 points – the student does not adequately address any part of the task: the presentation is not divided into introduction, main body and conclusion and the parts of the presentation are not connected with linking devices; presentation does not contain appropriate references in APA style in speech and slides. Language Use (max 3 points): 3 points – the speaker uses an appropriate amount of academic vocabulary, terminology is relevant to the subject, synonyms are used to avoid repetitions, the hedging strategies are applied when applicable, the speaker uses collocations and advanced grammar when needed, pronunciation and speech flow are natural, occasional vocabulary and grammar mistakes in speech causing no difficulties for the audience; texts on slides have no vocabulary and grammar mistakes; the speaker naturally fills in the pauses caused by breakdowns of different nature; 2 points – the speaker complies with academic register, the speech is characterized by fluency and adequate pace; the speaker does not use collocations, omits vocabulary and grammar mistakes that sometimes cause difficulties for the audience, and/or there are 1-2 vocabulary and/or grammar mistakes on slides; the speaker naturally fills in the pauses caused by breakdowns of different nature; 1 point – the speaker demonstrates limited language resource; the vocabulary and grammar are generally appropriate with a few non-impeding inaccuracies; the speaker fills in the pauses caused by breakdowns of different nature with effort; 0 points – the speaker demonstrates poor language resources, omits vocabulary and grammar mistakes that cause serious difficulties for the audience, and the speaker does not fill in the pauses. Manner of Delivery (max 2 points): 2 points – the presenter speaks with confidence maintaining a certain level of dynamics and keeping an appropriate posture and body language, maintains the adequate level of eye contact, uses stress, intonation and pausing appropriately; the presentation is given without reading off the slides or paper within the given time limit;
- Independent workIndependent work includes activities that students do at home or in the classroom. The elements of independent work cannot be retaken. Independent work includes two listening tasks that are done in Smart LMS.
- Final AssessmentThe final assessment is a test that includes three parts: listening (№ of recordings: 1; duration: 6-7 min.; № of questions: 10; the recording is played once; recommended time: 10 min.), reading (№ of texts: 1; № of p.ch.: 3000-3500; № of questions: 10; recommended time: 20 min.) and writing task (a review of some article; review length: 250-300 words; recommended time: 50 min.). Formula: L*0,3+R*0,3 +W*0,4 = 10
