Technical English I (FSI-TEN1)

Academic year 2025/2026
Supervisor: Mgr. Jaroslav Trávníček  
Supervising institute: ÚJ all courses guaranted by this institute
Teaching language: English
Course type: departmental course
Aims of the course unit:

The aim of the course is to teach the language skills needed by university students and company employees in a range of engineering branches.

A student who successfully completes the TEN1 course has the capability of working with specialist vocabulary and has acquired skills necessary for understanding the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation. They have the ability to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity, present various topics, describe facts and explain procedures with an emphasis on technology-specific functions.
Learning outcomes and competences:
 
Prerequisites:

Students are expected to have command of English at least at B1 level.

Links to other subjects:
compulsory prerequisite: English 4 [A4]
Course contents:
 
Teaching methods and criteria:
 
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes:

The credit requirements are based on student’s work during the semester and a credit test. During the semester the student can earn 4 marks for active participation in class and fulfilment of optional assignments, and at the end of the semester they take a credit test, in which they can earn 40 marks. In order to fulfil the credit requirements, the student must earn a minimum of 24 marks in total. In case this benchmark is not achieved, there is a possibility for the student to resit the test once in the exam period.

Active participation in class is one of the credit requirements. Attendance is systematically checked by the teacher and students are allowed to miss two seminars.
Controlled participation in lessons:
 
Type of course unit:
    Language exercise  13 × 2 hrs. compulsory                  
Course curriculum:
    Language exercise

  1. Introduction, U1 - vocabulary: physics and scientific discoveries; past tenses, present perfect, and questions revision

  2. U1 - explaining the function of a device, past participle clauses

  3. U2 - product specifications, passive forms revision, expressing functions or purpose

  4. U2 - material properties

  5. U2 - participating in a meeting or discussion, revision - Review Unit

  6. U3 - vocabulary: automotive engineering; the continuous aspect, linking devices

  7. U3 - note-taking during a lecture, linkers of contrast

  8. U4 - vocabulary: networks and maintenance; phrasal verbs, using active or passive verb forms

  9. U4 - the outline of a presentation, describing stages of development, revision - Review Unit

  10. U5 - cause and effect links

  11. U5 - vocabulary: steelmaking; describing a process, purpose clauses

  12. U5 - describing a process: aluminium smelting, revision

  13. credit test
Literature - fundamental:
1. BONAMY, David. Technical English 4: Course Book and eBook. Second Edition. Harlow: Pearson Education, 2022. ISBN 978-1-292-42449-1.
Literature - recommended:
2. IBBOTSON, Mark. Professional English in Use: Engineering. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0-521-73488-2.
3. BRIEGER, Nick a Alison POHL. Technical English Vocabulary and Grammar. Andover: Heinle, Cengage Learning, 2002. ISBN 978-1-902741-76-5.
4. MURPHY, Raymond. English grammar in use: a self-study reference and practice book for intermediate learners of English : with answers. Fifth edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019. ISBN 978-1-108-45765-1.
The study programmes with the given course:
Programme Study form Branch Spec. Final classification   Course-unit credits     Obligation     Level     Year     Semester  
B-VKP-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
C-AKR-P full-time study CZS -- Cr 0 Elective 1 1 W
B-ENE-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-FIN-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-KSI-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-MAI-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-MET-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-PDS-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-STI-A full-time study --- no specialisation -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-STR-P full-time study AIŘ Applied Computer Science and Control -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-STR-P full-time study KSB Quality, Reliability and Safety -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-STR-P full-time study SSZ Machine and Equipment Construction -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-STR-P full-time study STG Manufacturing Technology -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-ZSI-P full-time study STI Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W
B-ZSI-P full-time study MTI Materials Engineering -- Cr 0 Compulsory 1 2 W