Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
English for Physiotherapy 2
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
Wendi Smallwood wsmallwood@uic.es
Introduction
The objective of this program is to provide students with the academic language necessary to understand and present a research in Physiotherapy in English. This is why it will be especially important to develop critical reading and listening skills. Also, the skills of oral and written expression will be strengthened to consolidate knowledge and stimulate communication in an academic context.
The program consists of 3 parts: lectures, tutorials and self-study.
The master classes will focus on the completetion of reading and listening comprehension assignments in the field of scientific research and Physiotherapy. These classes are designed with the aim of developing understanding in an academic context. The activities of speaking and writing serve to improve communication in universities and conferences, as well as to provide a solid linguistic basis, with the aim of strengthening the knowledge introduced during the course.
The tutorials are focused on student development and interpersonal skills and include a group presentation, which will later be evaluated.
And finally, the independent study, or 'distance learning' focuses on: the development of writing, listening and reading skills; the grammar and specific vocabulary consolidation; and finally gives the student greater autonomy in learning a foreign language.
The three parts are specifically designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge and resources needed to communicate effectively and with confidence in English
Pre-course requirements
It is strongly recommended that students have a minimum level of English of B2 before the start of the course.
Objectives
Lecture class:
To introduce specialist language and knowledge related to evidence-based physiotherapy in English to effectively understand, synthesize and present research in physiotherapy.
To reinforce the receptive skills of reading and listening through practice, as well as help students develop academic writing and oral communication skills
Although these are classified as lectures, the class size is small and therefore highly interactive, with the teacher, the materials and among the students
Tutorials:
These sessions are part of the larger 'lecture' style class through Collaborate's breakout groups and often involve problem or task-based learning activity. These are designed to maximize the development of academic oral communication skills in English.
Independent study:
To develop student reading comprehension through the completion of assignments that require an in depth analysis of the specialist language at both a lexical and a structural level. Some assignments are individually assigned and others are part of the group project.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 01 - The ability to analysis and synthesis.
- 02 - The ability to organise and synthesize
- 10 - Develop autonomous learning skills.
- 13 - Knowledge of other cultures and customs.
- 28.2 - Demonstrate Interpersonal skills.
- 30.1 - Teamwork skills.
- 62 - Capacity to read and understand physiotherapy literature written in the English language.
- 63 - Ability to use the terminology and language structures of English in the field of physiotherapy.
- 64 - Capacity to understand the main ideas and to participate in conferences or lectures in the English language.
- 65 - Ability to give oral and written presentations in the English language.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Students will demonstrate the following skills:
Language skills in English
1. Analyze and synthesize information orally and in writing (1)
2. To read and understand literature on physiotherapy (62)
3. Know and use the terminology and linguistic structures of the English language related to the field of Physiotherapy (63)
4. Understand the main ideas and participate in conferences or lectures in English (64)
5. To do oral and written presentations in English (65)
Non-linguistic skills
1. To demonstrate ability to work in a team (30.1)
2. To demonstrate how to plan and organize work (2)
3. To demonstrate skills for independent study of the language (10)
4. To demonstrate skills in interpersonal relationships (28.2)
1. To demonstrate ability to work in a team (30.1)
2. To demonstrate how to plan and organize work (2)
3. To demonstrate skills for independent study of the language (10)
4. To demonstrate skills in interpersonal relationships (28.2)
Syllabus
Topics
Students will work with topics related to experimental research, the design of a randomized controlled clinical trial and terminology regarding various therapeutic modalities.
Linguistic knowledge
Students will review and strengthen their knowledge on the use of high frequency language and concepts in the field of research in health sciences, through sentence analysis and the organization of content in a scientific paper.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Students will take an active part in reading activities, completing analyses and syntheses of texts from various academic genres specific to Physiotherapy, such as extracts from textbooks and journal articles. In addition, those topics covered during the course will be discussed in interactive activities and oral presentations and written papers will be completed. Finally, in listening activities, students will need to retain both general and specific information of the presentations of other students, teachers and online lecturers.
Virtual Internet resources also serve as a linguistic tool that students will use throughout their learning process. These resources are an integral part of their self-study as they will provide the tools and motivation for independent learning of English in their area of expertise, throughout their professional life.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Evaluation systems and criteria
|
Date |
Activity |
% Final grade |
Learning result |
|
weekly |
Classwork and tests |
15% |
Read and understand the main ideas of texts and literature related to physiotherapy ( 62) Working with terminology and linguistic structures related to Physiotherapy ( 63) Understand the main ideas of formal presentations or lectures in English ( 64) Demonstrate the ability to learn on their own |
|
|
Group Project:
|
40 % |
Analyze and synthesize information orally and in writing (1) Communicate orally and in writing (65) Be able to work in a team (30.1) Be able to plan and organize the own work (2) Be able to develop interpersonal skills (28.2) |
|
|
Midterm exam |
15% |
Read and understand the main ideas of texts and literature related to physiotherapy (62) Understand the main ideas of formal presentations or lectures in English ( 64) |
|
Final exam |
30% |
Read and understand the main ideas of texts and literature related to physiotherapy (62) Understand the main ideas of formal presentations or lectures in English ( 64) |
Important information about evaluation
• Minimum language level requirement : Students should have a B2.1 level in English to pass this course. Therefore, it is highly recommended to have a minimum level of English language B2.1 before the beginning of the course.
• Attendance and participation: Participation, class attendance and continuous assessment are essential to pass the course. In addition, group work outside class will also be an important part of the evaluation. Homework assignments and and other important information will be posted in Moodle.
• Pass grade: To pass the subject (for example with a 5) in the midterm and final exam, students must achieve a score of 50%. In other words, 50% = a 5.
• No student can pass the course by only taking the second sitting exam.
Should the student fail the course they will have to contact their teacher and the course coordinator at least 14 days before the second sitting exam date to arrange the conditions and contents of the exam.
Other tests: those students who miss the midterm having a valid justification (ie medical certificate) must submit this justification to the teacher the next day of class. At the end of that period if the student has attended at least 80% of the classes, he or she will be able to compensate for the midterm on the day of the final exam.
Many evaluation activities will be carried out during the course. A 0 will be given for each activity not presented or carried out. However, each test has little individual weight in the evaluation of the course so missing one will have little effect on the total grade.
Bibliography and resources
The materials for the course are in a student dossier which is available on the course Moodle.
It is recommended that students use Google Chrome.
Other materials will be either researched and found by the student as part of a task or provided on Moodle.
Evaluation period
- E1 16/11/2022 I2 13:00h
- E1 16/11/2022 I1 13:00h
- E2 29/06/2023 A04 12:00h