English for scientific communication

The primary goal of the course is to enhance students’ English language skills within an academic context, with an emphasis on academic reading, writing, and speaking. Additionally, the course includes a module on job application processes.

The students are aware of scientific formats in their field of interest and they use English effectively:

• General communication: expressing basic concepts and agreement/disagreement in a controlled and known scientific context
• Write concise and precise scientific text products, as requested to starting researchers (CV + cover letter, an abstract for a conference, short texts).
• Prepare and present presentations in standard formats (poster and oral presentations). As a side objective, students should also be able to defend their presentation and answer questions.
• Understand and analyse scientific papers and have a general understanding of peer review.

• Lesson 1: introduction to the course and common vocabulary
• Lesson 2: Application process for a job
• Lesson 3: Scientific formats and writing a scientific abstract (assignment 1 – 10 % of the total grade)
• Lessons 4 and 5: Preparing and presenting a poster (assignment 2 – 10 % of the total grade)
• Lessons 6, 7 and 8: Preparing and presenting an oral presentation
• Lesson 9: Reinforcement
• Lesson 10: Oral presentation (exam – 80 % of the total grade)

• Oral exam (80% of the total)
• Assignment 1: writing an abstract (10%)
• Assignment 2: preparing and presenting a scientific poster (10%)