The starting point of the course is that today's technical challenges are often complex since they include different priorities, perspectives and limitations. This complexity requires effective communication in clear, concise and precise language.

This course focuses on clear, concise, and precise English. The course aim is to bridge the gap between the English that is taught at upper-secondary school and the English and communication skills that are required for advanced-level studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This course takes into consideration the requirements of both advanced-level studies and complex technical challenges, and students can expect training in and personal feedback on:

• scientific English, including discipline-specific vocabulary and expression
• strategies to interact effectively in discussions and Q&A sessions
• methods to present technical information effectively in speech, in writing, and using electronic communication tools
• strategies for speed reading text on technical topics

In a language-focused learning environment and with course participants from different technical disciplines, the students learn both the mechanics of English and strategies to communicate their technical knowledge in clear, concise, and precise English.

More exactly, the students should be able to do the following on completion of the course:

1. participate actively in group discussions in English in order to share their technical knowledge, make suggestions, and reach a consensus
2. give a presentation about their technical discipline, and participate in a question-and-answer (Q&A) session
3. identify strategies for speed reading text in English
4. identify the strategies and conventions used for text structure, scientific style, and reference management in relevant research articles, and apply the same strategies and conventions in their own written assignments
5. use e-communication effectively, and write short texts in their specific technical discipline

• Discussions and group work in class on e.g. scientific conventions and aspects of reader-friendly texts
• Activities on reading comprehension and discussions about reading strategies
• Teacher input and Canvas quizzes on essential vocabulary and grammar for scientific communication
• Written assignments with feedback from both peers and teachers. Oral assignments both online and before a live audience.

See Canvas.

Find the course literature in the KTH Library (Jane Bottomley, 2021: Academic Writing for International Students of Science) and familiarise with the book and the topics covered. Complete exercises on Common errors before the first seminar.

You can also prepare for the course by "clicking through" the KTH Guide to Scientific Writing.

Finally, prepare for the course by thinking of topics you would like to use for Assignments 1, 3 and 4: A technical description of a tool, device, concept or method; a proposal for a research idea based on previous work in the field; and an oral presentation including a graph or other visual element.

Bottomley, Jane. 2021. Academic Writing for International Students of Science, 2nd ed. Routledge. Available as an e-book at KTH Library.

Online resources and material published on Canvas.

No information inserted

If you are in need of special educational support following e.g. a diagnosis of dyslexia, Aspergers syndrome, ADHD, a hearing or visual impairment, please inform the teacher. For help and information about your rights, please contact the coordinator for students with Special Educational Needs at funka@kth.se.

• INL1 - Assignments, 4.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• SEM1 - Seminars, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Oral examination, 1.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

See Canvas.

There is no opportunity to re-submit an assignment or re-take the oral exam, if these already have received a pass, in order to get a higher grade.

Attendance policy: Students must attend at least 4 out of the six first seminars. Compensatory work assigned. If a student cannot attend Seminar 7, another opportunity will be arranged. 

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The official course syllabus is valid from the fall semester 2024 in accordance with the decision by the Head of the ITM School: M-2023-1887. Date of decision: 2023-10-12

More focus on reading strategies

More mandatory short preparation tasks to complete before each seminar