Foreign language for scientific activity. Part 1. Research Working program of the academic discipline (Syllabus)

Details of the academic discipline

Level of higher education First (undergraduate)
Branch of knowledge 12 Information technologies
Specialty 126 Information systems and technologies
Discipline status Normative
Form of education full-time/part-time/distance
Year of training, semester

Educational component 1: 1-st year, autumn/fall semester

Educational component 2: 1-st year, spring semester

Scope of the discipline

6 credits ECTS:

Educational component 1: 3 credits ECTS / 90 hours: classroom work – 8 hours, self-study – 82 hours

Educational component 2: 3 credits ECTS / 90 hours: classroom work – 6 hours, self-study – 84 hours
Semester control/ control measures Educational component 1: Final Testing/Literature Review (individual task) Educational component 2: Exam/Module Test
Lessons schedule http://rozklad.kpi.ua/Schedules/ScheduleGroupSelection.aspx
Language of teaching English
Information about the course leader / teachers

Person in charge: Galyna Mikhnenko, PhD, Associate Prof., contact number:

0975356485, email: mikhnenko.galyna@lll.kpi.ua
Placement of the course

https://do.ipo.kpi.ua/course/view.php?id=289https://do.ipo.kpi.ua/course/view.php?id=341

Outline of the Course

1. Course description, goals, objectives, and learning outcomes

The course “Foreign Language for Scientists” belongs to the cycle of general training of PhD students of non-philological specialities.

The aim of the course is to form English-language communicative competence sufficient for effective communication in the scientific environment and in the process of research and innovation.

The subject of the course is a set of components (language knowledge and speech skills) which provides further improvement of postgraduates’ foreign language speech competencies in listening, speaking, writing and translation, language competencies, profession-oriented, sociocultural, strategic and pragmatic competencies sufficient for presenting the results of their scientific work and carrying out scientific communication in a foreign language.

Learning outcomes: easily present and discuss with specialists and non-specialists the results of research, theoretical and applied problems of the relevant scientific field in state and foreign languages as well as present the findings in scientific publications in highly respected international scientific journals.

In the autumn/fall semester, first-year PhD students study Educational Component 1 (EC 1) – “Foreign

Language for Scientists. Part 1 Academic Research”

While doing EC 1, there will be a consistent transition to strong vantage B2+ level of academic foreign language, the descriptors of which provide the following level of knowledge, skills and abilities:

  • Listening: to understand the main ideas and concepts of lectures, conversations, reports and other forms of academic/professional presentation, complex both in content and linguistically; to make notes of important details;

  • Speaking: to make a clear, systematic presentation, emphasizing important details and using relevant supporting information; spontaneously deviate from the prepared text and follow the interesting thoughts expressed by the audience;

-Reading: to receive information from highly specialized sources within students’ own field of study; to understand articles and scientific reports on contemporary issues in which the authors have a certain position or point of view;

  • Writing: to synthesize information and arguments from different sources; to write clear, well-structured descriptions of complex topics, abstracts, argumentative essays, and literature reviews.

In the spring semester, first-year PhD students study Educational Component 2 (EC 2) – “Foreign Language for Scientists. Part 2 Scientific Communication”

While doing the course there will be a prospective transition to C1 level of academic foreign language, the descriptors of which provide autonomous level of knowledge, skills and abilities:

  • Listening: to listen to most lectures, discussions and debates with relative ease; make detailed recordings during a lecture on the topics of in the field of study, taking notes so accurately and close to the original that these notes can be used by other people;

  • Speaking: to make a clear, well-structured presentation on the topic of scientific research, explaining and supporting the point of view with evidence and relevant examples; interact, responding spontaneously and almost without efforts;

  • Reading: to understand a wide range of long, complex scientific texts in the field of study with a high degree of independence, adapting the reading speed to different goals, understanding the positions of the authors as well as indirectly and directly expressed views;

  • Writing: to write clear, well-structured descriptions on complex topics as well as write abstracts, summaries, a scientific article, while emphasizing the main issues and maintaining the point of view for a long time with evidence and relevant examples.

2. Prerequisites and post-requisites of the course

Prerequisites: To complete the course “Foreign Language for Scientists” (English) a minimum B2 level of the foreign language is required.

Post-requisites: Successful completion of the course enables a PhD student to increase English language proficiency to the level of C1 in order to effectively present the results of the research in a foreign language and carry out scientific communication.

3. Content of the course

EC1 “Foreign Language for Scientists. Part 1 Academic Research” (autumn/fall semester) Topic 1. Behaviour. Self-presentation. Text structure.

Topic 2. Creativity. Scientific articles. Citation.

Topic 3. Information. Principles of literature search and writing a literature review. Topic 4. Presentation of a literature review (аналітичний огляд літератури).

EC 2 “Foreign Language for Scientists. Part 2 Scientific Communication” (spring semester) Topic 1. Data sources. Data commentary.

Topic 2. Globalization. Problems, solutions and evaluation in texts.

Topic 3. Research. Requirements to a Scientific article.

4. Coursebooks and teaching resources

Basic:

  1. Ilchenko, O.M. (2016). Anhliiska dlia naukovtsiv. The language of science. [English for scientists. The language of science] (4thed.). Kyiv, Ukraine: Edelveis.

  2. Hewings, M., & Thaine, C. (2012). Cambridge Academic English: an Integrated Skills Course for EAP (Advanced /C1). Cambridge, England: CambridgeUniversityPress.

  3. Saienko, N., Lavrysh, Yu., Stavytska, I. (2020). Multymediynyy navchalʹnyy kurs “Akademichne anhlomovne pysʹmo dlya aspirantiv” [Multimedia learning course “Academic English Writing for PhD Candidates”]. Kyiv, Igor Sikorsky KPI. https://do.ipo.kpi.ua/course/view.php?id=289.

  4. Wallwork, A. (2013). English for Research: Usage, Style, and Grammar. Springer US.

  5. Wallwork, A. (2013). English for Academic Research: Grammar Exercises. Springer US.

  6. Wallwork, A. (2011). English for Writing Research Papers. Springer US.

  7. Wallwork, A. (2013). English for Academic Research: Writing Exercises. Springer US.

  8. Paterson, K. (2013). Oxford Grammar for EAP: English Grammar and Practice for Academic Purposes.

Oxford, England: OXFORD University Press.

Supplementary:

  1. Chazal, E., & Moore, J. (2013). Oxford EAP: a Course in English for Academic Purposes (Advanced /C1). Oxford, England: OXFORD UniversityPress.

  2. Cottrell, S. (2011). Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument. Palgrave Macmillan.

  3. Davis, M. (2004). Scientific Papers and Presentations (2nded.). San Diego, USA: AcademicPress.

  4. Іlchenko, О. (2016). International Communication: Science, Technology, Education, Journalism (EnglishUkrainian-RussianDictionary) (2nded.). Kyiv, Ukraine: Edelveis.

  5. Ilchenko, O., & Myroniuk, T. (2018). Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar and Listening Comprehension Tests (for PhD Candidates). Кyiv, Ukraine: TSNDVIM NANU.

  6. Swales, J., & Feak, C. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Skills and Tasks (3rd ed.). Michigan, USA:Michigan ELT.

  7. Wallwork, A. (2016). English for Academic Correspondence (2nded.). Springer US.

  8. Wallwork, A. (2016). English for Interacting on Campus (2nded.). Springer US.

  9. Wallwork, A. (2010). English for Presentations at International Conferences. Springer-Verlag NewYork . Online resources (EC 1):

http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/ https://www.slideshare.net/engCETL/writing-a-literature-review-handout

https://www.slideshare.net/phdassistance/sample-work-for-engineering-literature-review-and-gap-identification Online resources (EC 2):

https://www.academic-englishuk.com/academic-style https://wordvice.com/video-which-verb-tenses-should-i-use-in-a-research-paper/ https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/research-construction-management/0/steps/75090 http://motivationalletter.com/motivation-letter-for-erasmus/ http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/

Course Overview

5. Methodology

The general methodological approach to teaching the course is defined as communicative-cognitive and professionally focused, where the center of the educational process is a PhD student – both the subject of study and the future scientist.

The methodology of teaching a foreign language for scientists combines the provisions of communicative methodology aimed at the formation of foreign languagecommunicative competence, in which communication in academic environment is both the ultimate goal of language learning and the means to achieve it. Work in practical classes is aimed at acquiring knowledge, developing and improving communication skills and abilities in a foreign language scientific communication (both oral and written).

Practical Classes

EC 1 “Foreign Language for Scientists. Part 1 Academic Research” (autumn/fall semester)

The educational component consists of 4 practical classes held during the autumn session. They give 5 points each, and the remaining 80 points are given for self-study tasks, incuding the literature review (10 points) and the report based on it (5 points). The Fail/Pass Final Test (if it is not assessed “automatically”) is carried out in class 20 during the winter session.

Practical class 1. “Behaviour”, Self-presentation. Text structure

Explaining the course outline and principles of assessment;

Discussion on behavior and reading: Academic texts, pp.7-12 [2];

Listening: Lectures (using navigational language), pp.18-19 [2] speaking about the skills important in higher education, listening about the research proposal, pp. 10-13 [2]. Minitests: Grammar in academic texts [5].

Practical class 2. “Creativity”, Scientific articles, Citation

Speaking on the semantic environment of science, pp.1-9 [д:3];

Discussion on creativity and reading: Journal articles and features of abstracts, pp.39-44 [2] Speaking on style of abstracts, pp.184-193 [6]; pp.38-41 [1]; Writing: Introducing citations, pp.77-81 [2].

Practical class 3. “Information”, Principles of literature search and writing a literature review Speaking on principles of literature search and writing a literature review [3], pp.35-49 [д:3];

Reading and summarizing the text: pp.55-60 [2];

Paraphrasing: pp.131-134 [7]; Tenses in Introduction: p.127, p.129 [5].

Practical class 4. Presentation of a literature review (аналітичний огляд літератури).

Watching the extract from the lecture on Literature review [9];

Preparation of a literature review and presentation (Justification, pp.59-60, Sample literature review, pp.261- 266 [s:3], p.276-280 [1]); Hedging: pp.147-149 [6]; 170-171 [7]; Discussion on ethical issues, pp.125-137 [s:3].

EC 2 “Foreign Language for Scientists. Part 2 Scientific Communication” (spring semester) The educational component consists of 3 practical classes held during the winter session and give 5 points each. the remaining 85 points are given for self-study tasks, incuding writing the scientific article (15 points) and the Module Test (10 points). To get a maximum 50-point score (because PhD students can get another 50 points in exam), we enter a factor of 0.5

Practical class 1. Data sources. Data commentary.

Explaining the course outline and principles of assessment;

Discussion on research methods, p.103 [2]; Reading to understand visual data: pp.109 -110 [2]; Vocabulary: Being specific, p.118 [2].

Practical class 2. Globalization. Problems, solutions and evaluation in texts.

Discussion on global issues and reading about brain drain and brain gain to identify problems and solutions in the texts: pp.151-153 [2];

Academic language: complex sentences, Task 3, p.154 [2]

Writing an informative abstract for the text written in Ukrainian.

Practical class 3. Research. Requirements to a scientific article.

Discussing the sections of a scientific article and requirements to them [3], [6]. Sentence transformation/ paraphrasing: pp.150-151 [8].

6. Self-study

Self-study is essential for PhD students in order to get most out of learning experience outside the classroom and comprises:

EC1 “Foreign Language for Scientists. Part 1 Academic Research” (autumn/fall semester)

  • searching and analysing original foreign professionally oriented literature in order to obtain certain information on the speciality;

  • performing individual tasks, completing the online courses on the Sikorsky platform (Moodle); - writing an analytical literature review and preparing a presentation on its topic..

EC 2 “Foreign Language for Scientists. Part 2 Scientific Communication” (spring semester)

  • searching and analysing original foreign professionally oriented literature in order to obtain certain information on the speciality;

  • performing individual tasks, completing the online courses on the Sikorsky platform (Moodle); - writing a scientific article on the research topic; - preparing for the module test and exam.

Attendance Policy and Assessment

7. Attendance policy

The educational component “Foreign language for Scientists” is exclusively practical in nature, so the successful completion of the course involves attending practical classesand completing the corresponding tasks. All works and activities are aimed at the students’ compliance with the assessment rating requirements. A significant part of a student rating is formed through active participation in activities in practical classes. Therefore, skipping a practical class does not allow a student to get points in the semester rating. General assessment takes place according to a scheme of the agreed rating system. Expected learning outcomes, control measures and deadlines are announced to students in the first practical class.

EC 1: The preparation of an analytical literature review and a presentation on the topic of research is a prerequisite for admission to the final testing. Taking part at conferences and writing a conference abstract will bring rewarding points to the performance score of a PhD student.

EC 2: The preparation of a scientific article on the topic of research is a prerequisite for admission to the examination. Taking part at conferences and writing a conference abstract will bring rewarding points to the performance score of a PhD student.

The policy and principles of academic integrity are defined in section 3 of the Code of Honour of the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” (https://kpi.ua/code).

The norms of ethical behaviour of students and employees are defined in section 2 of the Code of Honour

of the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” (https://kpi.ua/code).

8. Monitoring and grading policy

EC1 “Foreign Language for Scientists. Part 1 Academic Research” (autumn/fall semester)

The 100-point score comprises getting maximum 5 points for classroom work in each of 4 practical classes, 10 points for writing a literature review on the topic of research, doing the 5-point Presentation, and 65 points for self-study tasks.

Classroom work includes fulfilling home assignments, studying the coursebook materials, and discussions in groups.

Performing an analytical literature review on the topic of research. The purpose of preparing an analytical review is to highlight a holistic picture of the problem with mandatory identification of difficulties and issues in the field of study as well as to propose ideas to solve them.

The main criteria for evaluating the analytical literature review are:

  1. Structure (relevance to the topic, problem statement, findings of previous research, main conclusions, the presence of contradictions in the scientific literature, ideas to solve this problem. Length – 5-6 pages, font 14, Times New Roman).

  2. Depth and completeness of the topic, the presence of critical assessment and own judgements (originality of work – not less than 75%).

  3. The number of foreign sources used (minimum 8), citations, bibliography.

  4. Linguistic and stylistic correspondence (vocabulary, use of grammatical structures, etc.) Execution from 95% to 100% of requirements – 10-9.5 points (excellent)

85% - 94% – 9-8.5 points (very good)

75% - 84% - 8-7.5 points (good) 60% - 74% – 7-6 points (satisfactory) below 60% – unsatisfactory.

Presentation of an analytical literature review on the research topic.

The main evaluation criteria are:

  1. Relevance to the topic, depth and completeness of its disclosure.

  2. Coherence and logic of expression.

  3. Linguistic and stylistic correspondence and correctness (vocabulary,

    use of grammatical structures, etc.)

  4. The quality of presentation (in Power Point or another program).

  5. Communication with audience.

Execution from 95 % to 100% of requirements – 10-9.5 points (excellent)

85% - 94% – 9-8.5 points (very good)

75% - 84% - 8-7.5 points (good) 60% - 74% – 7-6 points (satisfactory) below 60% – unsatisfactory.

If the performance score is in total higher than 60 points, the PhD students may either get their Pass or take the Fail/ Pass Final Test to improve their grade. If the grade for the Fail/Pass Final Test is higher than the rating, the PhD student receives the grade based on the results of this Test. If the grade for the Test is lower, the previous rating is cancelled and the PhD student receives a grade based on the results of the Test. PhD students whose final performance score is 30-60 points have to take the Fail/ Pass Final Test in order to complete the course. PhD students whose score is below 30 did not meet the requirements of the course and are not allowed to take the Fail/ Pass Final Test.

The Fail/Pass Final Test consists of:

  • Task № 1 (Listening Comprehention). The maximum number of points – 10, each question – 2 points.

  • Task № 2, № 3 (Reading Comprehension). The maximum number of points – 30, each question – 3 points.

  • Task № 4 (English in Use). The maximum number of points – 20, each question – 2 points.

  • Task № 5 (Translation Practice) (translation of the text in the field of study of a PhD student, 2000 characters). The maximum number of points – 10.

  • International PhD students write an essay (180-220 words).

  • Task № 6 (Writing). The maximum number of points – 15.

  • Task № 7 (Speaking). The maximum number of points – 15 (the presentation of the literature review at the rate of 5*3 is credited).

Rating scale:

10-9.5 points (excellent),

9-8.5 points (very good),

8-7.5 points (good),

7-6 points (satisfactory).

Less than 6 points (unsatisfactory).

The final performance score or the results of the Fail/ Pass Final Test are adopted by university grading

system as follows:

Score Grade description
95…100

Excellent
85…94

Very good
75…84

Good
65…74

Satisfactory
60…64 Sufficient
below 60 Fail
The course requirements are not met

Not Graded

EC 2 “Foreign Language for Scientists. Part 2 Scientific Communication (spring semester) The rating of a PhD student rating in the educational component is formed as the sum of the points of the current academic success - the starting rating (maximum 50 points) and examination points (maximum 50 points). The starting rating suggests that the 50-point score comprises getting maximum 5 points for classroom work in each of 3 practical classes, writing the scientific article (15 points), the Module Test (10 points) and self-study tasks (60 points). To get maximum a 50-point score (because PhD students can get another 50 points in exam), we enter a factor of 0.5.

Writing a scientific article on the topic of research. The purpose of writing a scientific article in a foreign language within the course is to learn how to write a modern research paper while meeting all the requirements for its future publication in a respected international scientific journal. The main criteria for evaluating a scientific article are:

  1. Structure and content (according to the format of a selected type of scientific articles). Originality of work - not less than 85%.

  2. Design (according to the requirements of a selected journal, including annotations and bibliography).

  3. Linguistic and stylistic correspondence (the usage of terms, grammatical structures, appropriate style).

To simplify the calculation, we enter a factor of 0.1.

Execution from 95% to 100% of requirements – 10-9.5 points (excellent)*0.5

85% - 94% – 9-8.5 points (very good) *0.5

75% - 84% - 8-7.5 points (good) *0.5 60% - 74% – 7-6 points (satisfactory) *0.5 below 60% – unsatisfactory.

Writing a scientific article on a research topic is a prerequisite for admission to the exam.

The Module Test consists of 6 tasks:

  1. Listening (5 questions). The maximum number of points – 10*0.5, each question – 2 points*0.5.

  2. Reading comprehension (10 questions). The maximum number of points – 30*0.5, each question – 3*0.5 points.

  3. English in Use (5 sentences). The maximum number of points – 10*0.5, each question – 2*0.5 points.

  4. Translation (10 sentences). The maximum number of points – 20*0.5.

  5. Writing an academic text. The maximum number of points – 15*0.5.

  6. Speaking (the poster report at the rate of 5*3 is credited). The maximum number of points – 15*0.5.

To simplify the calculation, we enter a factor of 0.1. Thus, the maximum number of points for the Module Test is 100*0.1*0.5 = 5 points. Rating scale:

10-9.5 points (excellent) *0.5,

9-8.5 points (very good) *0.5,

8-7.5 points (good) *0.5,

7-6 points (satisfactory) *0.5.

Less than 6 points (unsatisfactory).

Resitting the Module Test is not allowed.

The condition for admission to the exam is a rating of at least 50%, i.e. 25 points.

The Exam (maximum – 50 points) consists of:

  • Task № 1 (Listening Comprehension): 10 minutes. The maximum number of points – 10*0.5, each question – 2*0.5 points.

  • Tasks № 2, № 3 (Reading Comprehension (2200-2500 characters): № 2 – true/false; № 3 – multiple choice): 15 minutes. The maximum number of points – 30*0.5, each question – 3*0.5 points.

  • Task № 4 (English in Use: Key Word Transformation): 10 minutes. The maximum number of points – 10*0.5, each question – 2*0.5 points.

  • Task № 5 (Translation Practice: translation of the text (2000 characters) from the field of study of a postgraduate): 45 minutes. The maximum number of points – 10*0.5. International PhD students write an essay (180-220 words).

  • Task № 6 (Writing an informative abstract to the article in the field of study (200-250 words): 45 minutes. The maximum number of points – 15*0.5.

  • Task № 7 (Speaking: speaking on the graphs/charts): 8-10 minutes, 3-4 minutes of which – monologues, then answering the examiner’s questions. The maximum number of points – 15*0.5.

The maximum number of possible points for the exam: 100*0.5=50.

The sum of the starting points (Rs) and the points for exam will give you the final grade:

Rs+Rе

Grade

95…100

Excellent

85…94

Very good

75…84

Good

65…74

Satisfactory

60…64

Sufficient

below 60

Fail
The course requirements are not met

Not Graded

9. Additional information on the course (educational component)

According to the“Procedure for training of Doctors of Philosophy and Doctors of Science in higher educational institutions”https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/261-2016-%D0%BF#Text, a PhDstudent who has confirmed the knowledge of a foreign language, in particular English with a valid TOEFL certificate, orInternational English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Сambridge English Language Assessment (CAE, CPE) certificate at the level of C1-C2 of the European Recommendations on Language Education has a right for:

  • crediting these results as an assessment of the relevant educational

    component;

  • using the amount of study hours provided for the acquisition of

    language competencies, to acquire other

competencies (in agreement with the supervisor).

The procedure for validation of non-formal learning outcomes is regulated

byhttps://document.kpi.ua/2020_7-177

Syllabus of the course is designed by

Assoc. Prof., PhD in Education Galyna Mihnenko adopted by

Department of English for Engineering№ 1 (Minutes № 8 dated March 30, 2022)

approved by the University Board of Methodology (Minutes № 4 dated April 7, 2022)