Abstract:

The paper discusses the experience of science-based course design and delivery in English at an engineering university. Following the global trend in higher education, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) has been engaged into the practice of teaching science-based courses in technical and engineering fields in English to its students for more than two decades by now. This teaching methodology originates from the university goal to deliver professional subject disciplines in English to TPU engineering majors. The format was initially realised via tandem teaching by content teachers and teachers of English language. Nowadays a significant number of courses in degree programmes at TPU are delivered through English by content teachers solely thus changing the methodology of such courses preparation and delivery. At present the course Professional Training in English is one of the existing formats of such delivery mode which our paper is focused on.

The science based course learning goals and outcomes are in compliance with the requirements of the Federal Standard of Education and the Criteria of the Association for Engineering Education of Russia. The competence-based and context-based approaches are implemented to develop foreign language professional communicative competence of future engineers as well as to enhance their knowledge and expertise in professional field. The teaching and learning process covers four semesters of study for bachelor degree students – chemical technology majors. The course integrates and sequentially develops the topics related to General English course in terms of communication skills development, and chemical engineering course topics in terms of professional communication and content acquisition. Here, we discuss the specifics of the course Professional Training in English which focuses on enriching students’ professional vocabulary and development of professional and communication skills through the medium of English. The experience of the methodology design and practical teaching are presented.

Keywords:

Science-based course, professional training in English, EMI, competence-based approach, context-based approach, chemical technology.