Syllabus Information

1.1. Introduction

Brief presentation of the subject 

Specific English is an elective subject of 4 ECTS credits in the Technical Architecture degree, equivalent to 100 hours of work, corresponding to 40hours on-site (theory, practice, laboratory ...) and 60 off-site classes (exercises, , investigation,...). The objective of the course is to provide the student with the necessary tools to be able to get on in the English language in an international and multidisciplinary context, as, undoubtedly, both society and the labor market will demand in the future.

1.2. Recommendations to take this course

In order to take this course, students should have a B1 level of English according to the Common Reference European Framework for languages.

1.3. Context and importance of this course in the degree

Taking into account the role that the English language represents today in the international context, its knowledge and use is essential in the overall formation of the student. Since English is the lingua franca of communication, congresses and publications, the subject offers a tool that will allow students to access academic and technical information about any other subjects of their Degree. This will result in a more complete training that will make them better professionals.

1.4. Activities and key dates

They will be published in a timely manner through the means provided by the Institution and / or the teacher responsible, whether these are the Notice Board, ADD (or moodle) of the University of Zaragoza and/or the classroom. The dates of the final assessment tests will be those published officially at http://eupla.unizar.es/index.php/secretaria/informacion-academica/distribucion-de-examenes

2.1. Learning goals

The student, to succeed in this subject, must demonstrate the following results...

1: Consolidating the competences at B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

2: Using the essential vocabulary necessary for the development of professional activities related to the Professional Training and the planning and management of English Language operations and processes.

3: Understanding and interpreting texts in English with specific content related to the field of Building, Engineering and Management.

4: Writing documents relevant to their professional field, both formal and informal, using lexicon, structures and appropriate rhetorical and textual techniques.

5: Making oral presentations on subjects of their degree (With fluency and grammatical and terminological correctness)

6: Communicating orally in the English language, with special emphasis on the use of the lexicon and procedures In multinational settings and participating in other oral interactions in their professional environment, such as negotiations and telephone conversations, understanding their interlocutors, although sometimes with effort, and expressing themselves clearly and with reasonable accuracy.

2.2. Importance of learning goals

The convergence towards a European Higher Education Area and the labor market that future graduates will have to face requires students to be able to use English in various social and professional contexts. They will need access to specialized English material (for example, written information, talks, presentations and conferences); Participate in mobility programs and international projects related to their discipline and participate in academic activities (such as attendance at conferences, publication of articles or preparation of oral presentations) not only during their university studies, but with continuity once completed.

3.1. Aims of the course

The subject and its expected results respond to the following approaches and goals: The subject of Technical English for Machatronic Engineering lies within the framework of teaching English for Specific Purposes, which integrates the teaching of the English language and the specific contents of the profession with a student-based approach. The course is taught in English and starts from level B1 (European framework). Tasks are practiced in class, most of them in pairs or small groups to encourage collaborative work. The activities are corrected in class or delivered for later correction.

The specific goals of the subject are:

● Introducing English through the discursive, rhetorical and linguistic functions of the scientific-technical record.

● Getting Familiar with the genres, techniques and academic conventions used by the Engineering scientific-technical community which reflect the future needs of the profession.

● Developing linguistic competence in written and oral English in contexts of communication linked to the academic environment.

● Improving reading comprehension skills to understand and critically interpret technical texts of medium difficulty.

● Writing different types of text, which respond to various needs and are used in professional communication of the discipline.

● Promoting the expression of ideas, opinions, agreements and disagreements in formal situations, in professional and academic contexts.

● Extending the oral expression of the student to communicate in an academic and professional exchange environment

● Extending the oral expression of the student to communicate in an academic and professional exchange environment

● Promoting self-learning and continuous training.

3.2. Competences

Upon completion of the course, the student will be more competent to ...

 1: Read and understand different types of English texts needed in their professional activity, for example, reports and technical documentation, specialized articles, instructions.

2: Write different types of English texts that respond to different needs and that are used in the Professional communication in the career: informative texts, texts describing processes and procedures, evaluative texts, argumentative texts.

3: Use communicative strategies to participate in conversations in work situations.

4: Read and understand specialized literature in English related to the career.

5: Maintain business correspondence in English.

6: Recognize the type of language appropriate for different types of technical communication texts in their career.

7: Understand oral presentations of projects in English.

8: Plan, prepare and deliver oral presentations of projects in English.

9: Develop strategies for finding information and reading online texts.

4.1. Assessment tasks (description of tasks, marking system and assessment criteria)

Assessment activities 

The student must demonstrate that he / she has achieved the expected learning outcomes via the following assessment activities

 1: Continuous assessment.

The credits of this subject can be obtained in a double way: on the one hand, via continuous assessment and on the other, via a final exam. To access the continuous assessment, the following points must be taken into account:

* Attendance is required for a minimum of 80% of the lectures. If this percentage is not reached, the right to continuous assessment will be lost.

* Absences will only be excused for medical reasons with presentation of the corresponding official certificate.

* Participation in class is obligatory to access the continuous assessment system.

* It will be necessary to hand in some activities

* Opportunities for extra credits will be offered on a voluntary basis.

* The continuous assessment program will be validated by conducting a series of tests on thbe four basic language skills (reading, listening, writing and speaking) throughout the course. Students must show their proficiency at B1 level in all previous skills.

* Assessment tests will be held every two weeks, during class time.

* The listening and speaking marks will be taken from the activities done during the lessons.

* The assessment tests can be done in different times or dates in case of absence due to illness or other reasonable reasons

* The final grade will be obtained from the marks in the different tests carried out, as well as the activities handed in.

* Students will have the right to take the final exam if they have not passed the tests during the course, as well as at the June or September    calls.

 2: Final assessment. 

Students who do not follow the continuous assessment, or the ones who have not passed, or who wish to improve their grades, may take a final test that will take place in the official calls. There will be a final written exam to assess the student in the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students must demonstrate their proficiency at B1 level in all previous skills.

5.1. Methodological overview

The learning process that has been designed for this subject is based on the following:

 In the learning process, the student's role will be mainly active in either group work (by working in pairs or small groups, in which they should solve a problem, make a report, comment on a text or listen to specific or general information, etc.) or individually, all that under supervision of the teacher and using online resources.

5.2. Learning tasks

The program that the student is offered to help him achieve the target results includes the following activities... 

On-site  generic activities:

● Theoretical and practical classes: Theoretical concepts of the subject will be explained and practical examples to support the theory developed 

● Conversation Practices: Students will be divided into pairs or small groups and will be supervised by the teacher.

 Off-site generic activities:

● Study and assimilation of the theory presented in the lectures.

● Organization of seminars, solving suggested problems, etc.

● Scheduling  written continuous assessment tests and final examinations.

 Supervised autonomous activities: Targeted mainly to seminars and tutorials under the supervision of the teacher.

 Support activities: Mainly, through a virtual learning portal (Moodle) different activities that reinforce the basic contents of the subject will be made. These activities can be customized or not, being monitored through the above mentioned virtual portal.

5.3. Syllabus

Contents

Essential Contents of the subject to achieve the target learning outcomes.

1 Engineering Services. Water Systems Services. Project Management. Manufacturing Engineering. Applying for a Job in Electrical Engineering. Applying for a Job in Mechanical Engineering. Writing: Creating a Resume (Resume). Writing a Cover Letter for a Resume. Guided Writing (Letter). Oral Practice: Describing Your Company (Role-Play).  Practicing Interview Skills (Role-Play)

2 Defining Objectives.  Feasibility Studies. CAD (Computer-aided Design).  Drafting. Comparing Engineering Systems. A Presentation to a Client. Writing: Reporting on the Progress of a Project – Guided Writing (E-mail). Creating a Presentation (Presentation) Oral Practice: Choosing an Engineering System (Group Activity) Describing a Site Plan (Pair Work).

3 Materials and Their Properties.  Ferrous Metals. Non-ferrous Metal. Synthetic Polymers. Concrete. Writing: Writing a Meeting Notification– Guided Writing (E-mail).  Writing a Meeting Summary (Summary). Oral Practice: Choosing a Metal (Pair Work). Choosing Materials for a Project (Group Activity)

4 Forces. Lift, Drag, and Torque. Compression, Tension, Load, and Shear. Thrust and Measuring Methods. Turbulence. Writing: Suggesting Changes to Engineering Processes (E-mail) Summarizing and Confirming Transactions – Guided Writing (Letter). Oral Practice: Describing Diagrams (Class Activity). Solving Engineering Problems (Group Activity)

5 Systems and Mechanisms. Hydraulic Systems. Pneumatic Systems. Mechanical Systems. Robotic Systems. Electrical Systems. Mechanisms: Gears. Mechanisms: Engines. Mechanisms: Cams and Camshafts. Writing: Writing A Cover Letter for a Status Report – Guided Writing (Letter). Taking Notes (Notes). Oral Practice: Describing Diagrams (Pair Work). Reporting Project Status and Providing Feedback (Role-Play)

6 Giving Instructions: Assembly Instructions. Disassembly Instructions. Maintenance Instructions. Troubleshooting. Writing: Writing a Meeting Agenda (Agenda). Writing Instructions (Instructions): Oral Practice: Giving Instructions (Pair Work). Defining Words (Pair Work)

7 Measurements: Taking Measurements. Calibrating the Equipment. Clean Room Sensors. Industrial Sensors. Writing: Informing Clients of a New Service – Guided Writing (E-mail). Providing Information on Flow Sensors (E-mail). Oral Practice: Giving Advice about Sensors (Role-Play). Reporting on Measurements (Role-Play)

8 Safety: Discussing Safety Procedures. Hazard Analysis and Management. Tool Usage. Reporting Safety Incidents. First-aid Instructions. Writing: Filling out a Safety Incident Report (Repost). Writing a Memo about Safety Issues – Guided Writing (Memo). Oral Practice: Giving Safety Instructions (Role-Play). Performing Hazard Analyses (Role-Play)

9 Quality Management: Performance Specifications. Testing. Quality Analysis. Documentation. uality Audits and Certifications.        System Support. Engineering Ethics. Writing: Writing to the Engineering Ethics Committee – Guided Writing (Letter). Refusing to Provide a Product or Service – Guided Writing (Letter). Oral Practice: Explaining the Quality Certification Process (Role-Play). Discussing Performance Specifications (Role-Play)

10 Green Engineering: Alternative Fuels in Industry. Energy Efficiency in Production. Industrial Recycling. Waste Management. Winning an Award in Green Engineering. Writing: Writing to Potential Clients (Letter). Writing a Presentation (Presentation). Oral Practice: Debating Alternative Fuels (Class Activity). Solving Problems on a Living Building Project (Group Activity)

5.4. Course planning and calendar

On-site Sessions Schedule and presentation of tasks

 The classes are held according to the schedule established by the Institution, which is published prior to the start date of the course. A more specific calendar with the activities of the subject may be scheduled and published in the ADD of the University of Zaragoza.

The teacher will inform the students of the tutorials schedule also through the ADD or other means of communication set up by the Institution.

5.5. Bibliography and recommended resources

"THE UPDATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE SUBJECT IS CONSULTED THROUGH THE LIBRARY WEB PAGE http://psfunizar7.unizar.es/br13/eBuscar.php?tipo=a