Institutions:
University of Helsinki Language Centre
The
Network of Finnish University Language Centres
Helsinki
Address:
Language Centre, University of Helsinki
Fabianinkatu 26 (PL 4)
00014 Helsingin yliopisto
tel. (09) 191 23359
fax (09) 191 24224
Contact persons:
Maire Mäkinen, lecturer
University of Helsinki
Language Centre
Kaija Ervola,
lecturer
University of Helsinki
Language Centre
Mirja Hautala, lecturer
University of Tampere
Language Centre
Pirkko Olsonen, yliopistonlehtori
University of Helsinki
Open University
|
This site was created by a group of Language Centre English
teachers, in order to provide additional material for students who take part in
Language Centre English courses.
The focus is on reading and writing.
Main contents:
-
Reading
purposes and strategies: there are some guidelines about
reading itself.
A good reader adjusts his/her strategies automatically
to suit the purpose.
6 key steps:
1. Skimming i.e. reading for a general impression;
2. Scanning i.e. reading for specific details;
3. Reading for main points in
general (The main points could include information like why the text was
written, what the purpose of the writer was, how the text is organised and
what the main arguments are. Eg. reading for an exam);
4. Reading for selected main points (Looking for information about a
specific area or answers to certain questions, the reading will probably aim
at finding that information only. Eg. reading for a thesis);
5. Critical / evaluative reading (intensive) (It is important to
compare the writer's views with others' views and to make a difference
between facts and opinions of the writer. Eg. reading for a thesis or
an exam).
6. Reading for pleasure (Often without having to keep the
content in mind).
- EVALUATING
RESOURCES
- INFORMATION SEARCH
-
UNDERSTANDING
THE organization OF A TEXT: how academic texts are organized.
It is important to understand the functions of the different parts of the
text:
Introduction, Definitions, Examples, Additional information, Transitions,
Conclusion.
-
LINKING
WORDS: linking words (also called transitional devices, logical
connectors or connecting words) help the reader to follow the logical
meaning and structure of the text.
In academic writing, there are terms or phrases that express the logical
relationships between different things. These important "signposts"
serve as signals for the meaning of the text and the writer uses them to
organize the text in order to make his point clear. These words are called linking
words, connectors, discourse markers or signal words.
-
Word
formation: basics about the formation and use of academic
words (e.g. affixes, verbs, pharmaceutical terminology, etc.).
-
Grammar
-
Annotate:
in academic life, it is of utmost importance always to keep track
of the sources. This reading skills course includes writing an annotated
bibliography. There are guidelines on how to make references and many
specific formats for citing sources (referencing systems).
-
Writing
Essay writing: how to write an
academic essay; the process of essay writing.
How to write a summary: guidelines
for writing a summary of a text; types of
summaries; how to summarise information; how to avoid plagiarism; how to
quote and paraphrase.
Keywords:
English course
for university students - academic skills - language skills - reading skills - writing skills
- study skills - academic reading -
professional reading - academic writing
- professional writing - information searching -
evaluation of resources - referencing basics - citation of sources - referencing
systems - plagiarism - academic writing conventions - academic essay writing -
summary writing - summarising of information |
