This ESP (English for Specific Purposes) course is offered in the second term of the 4th year of the degree in Renewable Energy Engineering. It is crucial in the engineers’ career as it helps students not only to understand the main notions related to their speciality through the technical language practised, but also to express their ideas in English language correctly in order to be able to further integrate the obtained skills in the development of their professional career.



The course assumes a certain knowledge of the language systems, in other words, it is designed for intermediate (B2) and/or advanced (C1) students. It will provide the students with the necessary linguistic resources that will enable them to comprehend oral and written technical texts and to communicate the technical information on the topics related to their area of knowledge orally as well as in written form.



The linguistic resources obtained in the course will enlarge the variety of the positions the graduates of Engineering careers may occupy as they will allow them to apply for the posts in multinational companies or the high responsibility posts in which the knowledge of English language is of special importance.

The discipline belongs to the Module of Optional Subjects. Specifically it contributes to the achievement of the following module competences:



1) the capacity to effectively search, select, interpret and generate technical information in English;



2) the capacity to comprehend the required technical information (data, procedures, ideas, results etc.) in English presented in oral or written form.



3) the capacity to use the necessary resources of the English language to communicate the required technical information correctly in written form as well as orally.



Final achievement of the module competences above entails the fulfilment of the following degree competences:



CB3 - The capacity to join and interpret the information related to the student’s specific area of knowledge with the purpose to express their judgement or opinion on the relevant technical topic.



CB4 - The capacity to transmit the information, ideas, problems and solutions to general public as well as professionals specialized in the area.



G005 - The capacity to resolve problems applying the initiative, decision making, creativity, critical judgement and to communicate and transmit the knowledge, abilities and skills in the area of Renewable Energy Engineering.



G007 - The capacity to work in the multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.



Learning outcomes:



In this course students will be able to:



1. Learn technical terms and acronyms related to the area of Renewable Energy engineering and the ones related to the specific area of interest of the students;

2. Give and interpret definitions of the main technical notions;

3. Increase their technical vocabulary having learned and practised the use of numerous synonyms, antonyms and expressions;

4. Comprehend oral and written adapted and authentic technical texts;

5. Learn the linguistic resources (grammar structures, expressions, discourse markers) used in technical English;

6. Apply the learned linguistic resources to create their own oral and written technical texts;

7. Work with authentic technical texts in English, searching for information, interpreting it, organizing it properly, analyzing it critically and drawing relevant conclusions;

8. Orally present the information on a certain topic they have worked on with the aim to demonstrate the critical analysis of the given facts and the proof of the stated hypothesis.

Topic 1 ENGINEERING (choosing a career in engineering, branches of engineering). Grammar: Present and Past Tenses; Indirect speech (statements and questions).



Topic 2 NUCLEAR POWER (discussing the image of nuclear power all over the world, the economical viability of nuclear plants, the uranium as a basis of nuclear energy; the functioning of a nuclear power plant; arguing if nuclear power plants should be maintained) Grammar: Conditionals.



Topic 3 SOLAR POWER (discussing the concept of solar energy; solar energy policies; solar tower plants and forces affecting them; detailing the concept of photovoltaic solar cells and their performance; describing solar hot water systems; discussing the use of solar electricity, passive solar heating and daylighting; describing the processes of space heating and cooling). Grammar: Adjectives and adverbs: Comparative and Superlative forms; Modifying comparatives and superlatives.



Topic 4 WIND POWER (discussing the concept of wind energy, the functioning of wind turbines and factors affecting wind turbine design; discussing the problems of small-scale urban wind turbines; comparing horizontal-axis wind turbines and vertical axis wind turbines; discussing the advantages and disadvantages of wind turbines) Grammar: Structures denoting cause and effect.



Topic 5 GEOTHERMAL POWER (discussing the concept of geothermal energy, heat, temperature and heat transfer; describing the main characteristics of a geothermal power plant and its functioning; discussing the forms of geothermal direct use) Grammar: Subordinate clauses of result and purpose.



Topic 6 HYDROGEN POWER (discussing the concept of hydrogen energy; describing fuel cells technology and its advantages and disadvantages; discussing hydrogen-based economy) Grammar: contrasting ideas.



Topic 7 WATER ENERGY (Defining the concept of water energy; describing hydropower technology and types of hydroelectric power plants; discussing the use of ocean energy) Grammar: Relative clauses.



Topic 8 BIOENERGY (Defining the concept of bioenergy and discussing biomass energy technology applications (biofuels, biopower, bioproducts). Grammar: Modal verbs and expressions denoting ability and inability.



Topic 9 APPLYING FOR A JOB (discussing careers in engineering, writing a CV and cover letter, practising a job interview). Grammar: Types of questions (Negative Questions and Subject and Object Questions); Modal verbs (advice).

The communicative approach is based on the idea that learning a language successfully comes through having to communicate real meaning. When learners are involved in real communication, their natural strategies for language acquisition will be used, and this will allow them to learn to use the language.



The classroom activities of this course -guided by the communicative approach- are characterised by the attempt to produce meaningful and real communication, at all levels. As a result, there is more emphasis on skills than systems, lessons are learner-centred, and authentic (or simulated-authentic) materials are used, including audio-visual materials that accompany each topic allowing the student to immerse in the real language atmosphere.

• Sistema de Evaluación Continua
• Sistema de Evaluación Final
• Herramientas y porcentajes de calificación:
  • Prueba escrita a desarrollar (%): 20
  • Prueba tipo test (%): 25
  • Defensa oral (%): 31
  • Realización de prácticas (ejercicios, casos o problemas) (%): 14
  • ASISTENCIA REGULAR A CLASE (%): 10

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT system is applied for a student’s evaluation.



The final mark comes from:



REGULAR CLASS ATTENDANCE 10% (minimum attendance 80%)

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND REGULARLY DONE HOMEWORK 14%

TECHNICAL WRITTEN WORK 20%

ORAL PRESENTATION 16% (technical written work submission and its approval (min. 5) are obligatory)

ORAL CONVERSATION 15%

FINAL TEST 25%



For the percentage to be summed, it is necessary to get at least 5 out of 10 for a given task. The works that receive grades below 5 and works not submitted or submitted after the deadline are considered as a failure and the percentage is equal to zero (0).



If a student takes part in the continuous evaluation and attends less than 80%, the regular class attendance percentage is equal to 0.



Those students who, for a justified reason, cannot attend classes during the course and have the intention to take the final 100% exam, must let the professor know about their decision to withdraw from continuous assessment in written form within 9 weeks from the beginning of the given course, according to the academic calendar of their centre. If the students do not submit the enquiry stating their desire to take the final 100% exam, they are assessed according to the established continuous assessment system.



The final 100% exam consists of a written technical work submitted for evaluation before the exam, a written examination and an oral presentation. If a student does not pass the written examination, neither the written technical work nor the oral presentation are graded and the student has to re-take the subject during the second call. If the student passes the written exam successfully, their written technical work is graded and, provided that they pass that part (6.9 being a maximal grade), they are given a date for an oral presentation which is optional. To pass the subject, it is obligatory and indispensable for a student to get at least 5 out of 10 for each of the tasks as the works that receive grades below 5 are considered as a failure and the percentage, being equal to zero (0), is not summed.



In the case of final assessment, not sitting the exam on the official date qualifies as an automatic withdrawal from the corresponding call and is assessed as *no grade reported* [ez aurkeztua/no presentado/a]. However, if the student sits the exam, but the technical work has not been submitted before the exam, this qualifies as an automatic failure and is assessed as *0* [suspentso/ suspenso].



NB! Any works that contain the traces of plagiarism are qualified as an automatic failure and are assessed as *0* [suspentso/ suspenso]. Any copied works are qualified as an automatic failure in the case of both, the author and the student who has copied the work, and are assessed as *0* [suspentso/ suspenso].



During the final exam or any test that forms part of the continuous evaluation, the use of any materials or electronic devices is strictly prohibited and will result in an automatic failure of the given test or exam, the work being assessed as *0* [suspentso/ suspenso].



If a student desires to withdraw from the call, he/she will have to let the teacher know about their decision in written form, at least, one month before the end of the studying period. Otherwise, he/she will be evaluated through the established continuous evaluation system.

All the positive grades for the tasks are saved till the second call in case of the students who take part in continuous assessment and fail the subject for the first time, i.e. in May. Thus, these students are allowed to re-take the tasks failed (i.e. technical written work, oral presentation, oral conversation, final test) or take a 100% exam during the second call in June or July (according to the established schedule).



Those students who withdraw from continuous assessment and do the final 100% exam but fail it or do not sit the exam during the first call, have a chance to take 100% exam during the second call in June or July (according to the established schedule).



The final 100% exam consists of a written technical work submitted for evaluation, a written examination and an oral presentation. If a student does not pass the written examination, neither the written technical work nor the oral presentation are graded. If a student passes the written exam successfully, their written technical work is graded and, provided that they pass that part (6.9 being a maximal grade), they are given a date for an oral presentation which is optional. To pass the subject, it is obligatory and indispensable for a student to get at least 5 out of 10 for each of the tasks as the works that receive grades below 5 are considered as a failure and the percentage, being equal to zero (0), is not summed.



In the case of final/continuous assessment, not sitting the exam on the official date qualifies as an automatic withdrawal from the corresponding call and is assessed as *no grade reported* [ez aurkeztua/no presentado/a].



In the case of final assessment, if the student sits the exam, but the technical work has not been submitted before the exam, this qualifies as an automatic failure and is assessed as *0* [suspentso/ suspenso].



NB! Any works that contain the traces of plagiarism are qualified as an automatic failure and are assessed as *0* [suspentso/ suspenso]. Any copied works are qualified as an automatic failure in the case of both, the author and the student who has copied the work, and are assessed as *0* [suspentso/ suspenso].



During the final exam or any test that forms part of the continuous evaluation, the use of any materials or electronic devices is strictly prohibited and will result in an automatic failure of the given test or exam, the work being assessed as *0* [suspentso/ suspenso].

Handout materials prepared by the professor.

Bibliografía básica

1. P. Astley & L. Lansford. Oxford English for Careers. Engineering. OUP.

2. N. Bieger & A. Pohl. Technical English Vocabulary and grammar. Summertown Publishing

3. M. Dunn, D. Howey, A. Ilic, N. Regan & T. Phillips. English For Mechanical Engineering in Higher Education Studies. Garnet Education.

4. E. H. Glendinning & N. Glendinning. Oxford English for Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. OUP.

5. M. Ibbotson. Cambridge English for Engineering. CUP.

6. M. Ibbotson. Professional English in Use: Engineering: Technical English for Professionals. CUP.

7. S. Campbell. English for the Energy Industry. OUP.

8. D. Johnson. General Engineering. Cassell.

9. J. Hughes & A. Mallett. Successful Meetings. Video course. OUP.

10. R. Murphy. English Grammar in Use. Intermediate. CUP.

11. M. Fuchs & M. Bonner. Grammar Express. Intermediate. Pearson, Longman.

12. J. Hughes & C. Jones. Practical grammar. Level 2. Heinle Cengage Learning.

Bibliografía de profundización

1. G. Brook-Hart. Complete First for Spanish Speakers. Student's Book with Answers with CD-ROM. CUP.
2. Guy Brook-Hart. Complete First for Spanish Speakers. Class Audio CDs (3).
a. CUP.
3. B. Thomas, A. Thomas. Complete First for Spanish Speakers. Workbook with answers with Audio CD. CUP.
4. M. Hewings. Advanced Grammar in Use Book with Answers and Interactive eBook (Third Edition). CUP.
5. E. H. Glendinning & J. Mac Evan. Oxford English for Electronics. OUP.
6. M. Carrió. English for Industrial Engineering. Valencia: Universidad Politécnica de Valencia.
7. M. Dunn, D. Howey, A. Ilic, N. Regan & T. Phillips. English For Mechanical Engineering in Higher Education Studies. Garnet Education.
8. J.M. Izar Landeta. Technical English for Civil Engineering. Universidad Autonóma de San Luís Potosí.
9. M. Stathopoulou. Technical English for Architects, Civil Engineers and Surveying Engineers: A learner-centred approach. Simmetria publications.
10. A. Miranda García & J. Calle Martín. Reading and writing English for engineering. Universidad de Málaga.

DICTIONARIES OF ENGINEERING TERMS:
6. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. OUP.
7. Dictionary of Engineering. McGraw-Hill Higher Education
8. Dictionary of Mechanical Engineering. OUP.
9. Dictionary of Construction, Surveying, and Civil Engineering. OUP.
10. Electrical and Electronics Engineering Dictionary. Wiley-IEEE Press
11. A Supplementary Dictionary of Renewable Energy and Sustainability. OUP.

Revistas

https://doaj.org
https://www.omicsonline.org/engineering-journals.php

Direcciones web

ONLINE DICTIONARIES

http://www.wordreference.com/es/translation.asp?tranword
https://www.linguee.es
http://context.reverso.net/traduccion/
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/learner-english/
https://www.alphadictionary.com/directory/Specialty_Dictionaries/Engineering/

OTHER LINKS

https://www.sciencedaily.com
https://www.theengineer.co.uk
https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering-channel.htm
https://www.craftofscientificwriting.com
http://www.uh.edu/engines/
http://www.greatachievements.org
http://www.processindustryinformer.com
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/job-applications-4161924
https://www.peakoil.net/publications/when-will-fossil-fuel-reserves-be-diminished
http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-t-z/united-kingdom.aspx
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/renewableenergy
https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/index.html
http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/