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Database of Teaching Sources

A database of selected, reviewed, tested, assessed and validated e-learning based language teaching sources addressed to Higher education students for the learning of 18 different European languages.

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Branches of chemical engineering

Date of Publication

Has not been published yet but used in classroom since Feb 2022

Target Group

Students

Domain Area

Bioscience
Engineering

Learning Scenario

Classroom Context

Target Language

English

Language of Instruction

English
Estonian

CEFR level

B2
C1

Type of Material

Activity/task
Audio

Linguistic Features

Vocabulary

Skills

Listening
Speaking

Description

The purpose of the task is to teach the chemical engineering students to describe their future work in English. The task suits well for the introductory English classes for chemical engineers.
The resource consists of some lead-in questions, a YouTube video on Branches of Chemical Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHgbrXI2aDE by Prof. Bradley Ladewig. The video has the added benefit of exposing students to an Australian English accent, which is good for their listening comprehension.
Then there are some comprehension questions, such as, "1. What is chemical engineering?
2. What kind of aspects can chemical engineers improve in the field of clean energy?
3. What kind of role do chemical engineers play in the water sector?"
There are then a couple of vocabulary exercises (a gap fill and dictionary task).
Finally, the students have the chance to apply the vocabulary in the context of a discussion, in which they are encouraged to share their views concerning their future careers.

Case study

The resource has been used successfully with chemical technology students in 2022. It was designed for students in higher education in Estonia. It gave the first-year students a good idea of their future work perspectives and enabled discussion about their future career choices.

Guidelines

Warm-up: ask the students what they already know about the work of a chemical engineer. Where can chemical engineers work.
Task 1. Give students the worksheet. They will watch the video about chemical engineering and name the fields where chemical engineers are needed.
Task 2. Watch the video another time and answer the questions.
Task 3. Please write the given words into the gaps in correct places.
Task 4. Find the meanings of the words in the dictionary.
Task 5. Group discussion with students. Which of these fields seems the most exciting for you? Where would you like to work yourself? Why?
The answer key and teacher's notes are available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JHUgetxuw-nQMkbD0jupDNpHf-bisN9m/view?usp=sharing

Review

Category
Rate
Comprehensive approach
Capacity to match the needs of lecturers and students

5

Added value
The provided tangible improvements

3

Motivation enhancement
The capacity to motivate students to improve their language skills

5

Innovation
Effectiveness in introducing innovative, creative and previously unknown approaches to LSP learning

3

Transferability
Measurement of the transferable potential and possibility to be a source of further capitalisation/application for other language projects in different countries

5

Skills assessment and validation
Availability of appropriate tools for lecturers to monitor students’ progress and for students to assess own progress and to reflect on learning

4

Adaptability
Flexibility of the contents and possibilities for the LSP lecturers to adapt the contents to their and to students’ need

5

Usability
Assess the technical usability from the point of view of the lecturer and the student

5

Accessibility
Assess the accessibility from the point of view of the lecturer and the student

5

Comments:
The task enables the students to acquire the vocabulary necessary for working in English-speaking environment.
Website of the Teaching Source:
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