IDENTIFYING DATA 2023_24
Subject (*) TECHNICAL ENGLISH Code 20224129
Study programme
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (2010)
 Cycle 1st
Descriptors Credits Type Year Period
3 Compulsory Fourth 2Q
Language
Anglès
Department English and German Studies
Coordinator
RUEDA RAMOS, MARIA DEL CARMEN
 E-mail renataelzbieta.koba@urv.cat
carmen.rueda@urv.cat
cristina.brugues@urv.cat
Lecturers
KOBA , RENATA ELZBIETA
RUEDA RAMOS, MARIA DEL CARMEN
BRUGUÉS MELLADO, CRISTINA
Web
General description and relevant information <div><p class="default">GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:&nbsp;</p><p class="default">This course aims to introduce students to the main characteristics of technical English in the field of mechanical engineering. The objectives of the course are to help students improve their linguistic competence in English at level B2 in CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). Throughout the course, students will practice reading and writing technical texts, as well as listening to and speaking about different aspects of their discipline. Students will also become familiar with the technical vocabulary often used in a variety of topics of mechanical engineering. The course will cover the following areas:&nbsp;</p><p class="default">• Practice on all four skills through a variety of mechanical engineering topics.&nbsp;</p><p class="default">• Practice on the rhetoric of professional and academic documents used in mechanical engineering.&nbsp;</p><p class="default">• Practice on the most common functions, notions and grammar structures found in mechanical engineering texts.&nbsp;</p></div>

Competences
Type A Code Competences Specific
Type B Code Competences Transversal
 B1.4 Use information in a foreign language (preferably English) effectively. (CT1)
Type C Code Competences Nuclear

Learning outcomes
Type A Code Learning outcomes
Type B Code Learning outcomes
 B1.4 Interpreta, tradueix i elabora documentació tècnica en un idioma estranger.
Segueix assignatures amb continguts en anglès.
Type C Code Learning outcomes

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
UNIT 1: HISTORY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 1.1 Chronological description: narrative texts.
1.2 Review of verb tenses: ways to express time sequence. Expressing your opinion on different aspects of engineering.
1.3 Genres: Encyclopedias
1.4 Texts: History of Engineering, What is Mechanical Engineering, History of Mechanical Engineering, James Watt and the Steam Engine, The History of Chemical Engineering, Famous Engineers of the 21st Century / Podcasts: What is Mechanical Engineering, The World of Engineering, The History of Chemical Engineering.
UNIT 2: FLUID MECHANICS 2.1 Process description. Review of the passive voice.
2.2 Review of prepositions of place and movement. Phrasal and Prepositional Verbs.
2.3 Genres: Audience and purpose. The Magazine article
2.4 Texts: Fluid Dynamics, Flow in Pipes, Bernoulli’s Principle, What Does a Carburetor Do? Blast Furnace, Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics / Podcasts & Videos: Hydraulic and Pneumatic Parts, Hydropower, How Do Centrifugal Pumps Work?
UNIT 3: MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY 3.1 Physical description.
3.2 Making definitions: relative clauses and relative pronouns. Reduced relative clauses. Defining and Non-defining relative clauses.
3.3 Use and Structure of Compound Nouns.
3.4 Genres: The Research Article.
3.5 Texts: Smart Materials, Materials Science and Chemical Engineers, Mechanical Properties and Performance of Materials, Nanomaterials /Videos: Smart Materials Demo, A Quick Guide to Smart and Modern Materials, What is Nanotechnology? /Podcast: Nanotechnology, Materials Change the Way we Live
UNIT 4: MACHINES AND AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING IN A GREENER WORLD
 4.1 Expressing the function and parts of a device, and how something works. Expressions indicating purpose.
4.2 Review of linking words. Using of visuals in technical texts (graphs & charts).
4.3 Genres: The Magazine article.
4.4 Texts: AC Generator Components, What is a DC Motor and How Does it Work? Wind Power, Global Electric Car Sales Doubled in 2021, How Many Electric Vehicles Have Been Sold in the UK, The Evolution of Car Design, What Do Automotive Engineers Do? / Videos & Podcast: The Future of Cars: 6 Transformative Trends in the Automobile Industry, What is Automotive Engineering?
UNIT 5: ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION 5.1 Expressions used in classifications. Giving examples.
5.2 Review of modal verbs expressing obligation, probability and deduction.
5.3 Genres: textbooks.
5.4 Texts: Robotics, Types of Robots, Social Robots, The Three Laws of Robotics, Robots and Artificial Intelligence, What is the Difference Between AI and Robotics, Robots / Podcasts & Videos: Creator of Famous Sophia Robot Reveal AI Robotics, How China is Using Artificial Intelligence in Classrooms.

Planning
Methodologies  ::  Tests
  Competences (*) Class hours
 Hours outside the classroom
 (**) Total hours
Introductory activities
B1.4
 2 2 4
Seminars
B1.4
 8 12 20
Problem solving, exercises
B1.4
 8 12 20
Personal attention
0 0 0
Debates
B1.4
 0 7 7
Reading written documents and graphs
B1.4
 3 10 13
Personal attention
0 0 0
 
Practical tests
B1.4
 1 4 5
Multiple-choice objective tests
B1.4
 2 4 6
 
(*) On e-learning, hours of virtual attendance of the teacher.
(**) The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies
  Description
Introductory activities At the beginning of the course, students will have to take an English Test online to find out their current level of English (Online Test 1)
Seminars Throughout the different seminars and also with videos online, the instructor will explain the main characteristics of Technical English in Engineering. Special emphasis will be placed on students’ improvement of their English language skills in technical contexts. To do so, they will be provided with the necessary resources to read technical texts and write short paragraphs expressing their opinion about engineering-related topics, as well as to listen to and talk about different topics related to their field of study.
Problem solving, exercises Throughout the course, students will have to complete different activities that include practice on all four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. These activities will provide practice on the theoretical or grammar aspects presented in class.
Personal attention
Debates Students will have to watch videos and read articles on different aspects of current engineering in order to provide a contribution to each debate: one contribution will be in written form and another contribution will be in the form of an individual video. In their contributions, students will express their opinion on the topic, and they will also have to comment on another student's contribution to the debate.
Reading written documents and graphs Throughout the course, students will have to read different types of technical texts (encyclopedia articles, magazine articles, journal articles, newspaper science & technology sections, etc) related to different engineering topics and complete the corresponding activities. Some of these activities will deal with reading comprehension, the genre of the text, the layout of the text, and relevant grammar aspects of technical texts.
Personal attention During the course, instructors will be available via videoconference on Teams during office hours to solve doubts or answer queries regarding the course.

Personalized attention
Description

Students will be able to ask questions or talk to their teachers individually about subject-related issues through videoconferences on Teams.  

 

Assessment
Methodologies Competences Description Weight        
Debates
B1.4
 Students should post contributions to 2 forums of debate: one in written form, and another one orally in the form of individual videos. These written and oral forum contributions will have a minimum length required to obtain a positive assessment. 20%
Practical tests
B1.4
 Throughout the course, students will take 3 online tests, which will include reading and listening activities with questions related to those skills in which students will have to apply and show the theoretical aspects of the course. In order to average the grade of these 3 tests, students will have to pass at least two tests. 20 %
Multiple-choice objective tests
B1.4
 Throughout the course, students will take 3 tests online, which will include closed questions with different options ("multiple choice", "cloze", "True/False" etc.) about grammar aspects seen in the course. In order to average the grade of these 3 tests, students will have to pass at least two tests. 50 %
Others  

Attendance and active participation in class will be essential to get a positive assessment in this item.

10%
 
Other comments and second exam session

During examinations (online tests): students will have to be identify themselves according to the instructions given. Otherwise, the test will be declared INVALID.


FIRST CALL (Continuous Assessment):

1) 3 online tests on Moodle throughout the course that will include the following:

a) Multiple choice objective tests = 50 % of the final grade

b) Practical tests (on skills) = 20 % of the final grade

2) Participation in 2 online forums of debate (1 contribution in written form and 1 oral contribution in the form of a video) = 20% of the final grade

3) Attendance and active participation in class throughout the course = 10 % of the final grade

In order to be able to average all the grades earned in the course, students should

- pass at least 2 online tests (multiple choice objective tests + practical tests that will form part of the same online test)

- participate in at least one online forum (either written or oral).

Class attendance is highly recommended.


2nd CALL:

If students failed to pass their first call based on continuous assessment, they will have to take just an exam (with practical texts and multiple choice tests about all the contents of the course) for the second call. The result of this exam will determine the final grade of the course.

- 1 online test = 100 % of the final grade

Sources of information

Basic Carmen Rueda, Workbook of English for Mechanical Engineering., Departament d’Estudis Anglesos i Alemanys. URV., 2023
Marian Dunn, David Howey and Amanda Ilic with Nicholas Regan, English for Mechanical Engineering in Higher Education Studies, Garnet Education, 2010
Glendinning, Eric and Norman Glendinning , Oxford English for Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Oxford University Press, 1995
Mark Ibbotson , Cambridge English for Engineering, Cambridge University Press , 2008
Mark Ibbotson , Professional English in Use Engineering With Answers: Technical English for Professionals, Cambridge University Press (1ª edición) , 2009
Ivor Williams, English for Science and Engineering. (Professional English). , Heinle ELT., 2008
Meenakshi Raman and Sangeeta Sharma, Technical Communication: English Skills for Engineers, Oxford University Press, USA (2ª edición) , 2011

The course material we will use in class will be available on Moodle:

-  Carmen Rueda. Workbook of English for Mechanical Engineering. Course handbook.  Departament d’Estudis Anglesos i Alemanys. URV. 2023.   

Complementary Nick Brieger and Alison Pohl , Technical English - Vocabulary and Grammar, Heinle ELT, 2008
Tony Atkins and Marcel Escudler, A Dictionary of Mechanical Engineering (paperback), Oxford University Press, USA (2ª edición) , 2013
G.H.F. Nayler, Dictionary of Mechanical Engineering [Paperback], Jaico Publishing House; 4th revised edition, 2006
Jonathan Wickert, An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering [Paperback], CL-Engineering, 2 edition, 2005

Recommendations


 
Other comments
Academic Plagiarism: You must do your own work throughout the course. If it is determined that you have plagiarized a forum contribution from the Internet or from another student, you will receive a zero for the assignment. If you do it again, you will fail the whole course.
(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.