Course detail

Professional and Academic English

FA-D04Acad. year: 2025/2026

Students will learn the basic standards of professional English text, elaborate a glossary of key terminology for their PhD topic in Czech and English, develop a summary ofacademic publication in English, write a part of own journal paper according to the IMRAD format and practice presenting their PhD work in English.

Language of instruction

Czech

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. Jolana Tluková, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Spatial Design (UPT)

Entry knowledge

Expected is the knowledge of common language at the minimum of B1 level according to CEFR.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Oral exam tests the knowledge of technical terminology. Students submit a written summary of a selected scientific publication, abstract of their PhD work, key terminology in Czech and English from a selected publication. To complete the course successfully, students must present the topic of their PhD work in oral presentation and describe their participation in international conferences.


The course has 13 weeks of seminars (2 hours a week). Requirements:
• 75% participation
• Self-study of assigned texts
Absence can be compensated upon agreement by written assignment. 

Aims

The aim is to enlarge student´s knowledge of technical English, to familiarize with the standards of academic writing in English, with standard structure of research article, and to learn the most frequent vocabulary used in research papers and in presentations at scientific conferences.


Students will learn technical English and terminology in architecture and urban design that they will use in their own international publications. They will practice reading of academic texts, translation of key terminology and conversation in academic contexts.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Hanák, M. a kolektiv: Česko-anglický architektonický a stavební slovník, Fraus 1998 (CS)
McCarthy, M., O'Dell, F. Academic Vocabulary in Use, Cambridge University Press 2012 (CS)
Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English, Oxford University Press 2014 (CS)
Stavební slovník. Elektronický slovník přístupný na www.fce.vutbr.cz/slovnik (CS)

Recommended reading

English for Academics, Cambridge University Press 2014 (CS)
Fronek, J. Velký anglicko-český slovník, Leda 2006 (CS)
Hanák, M.: Anglicko-český, česko-anglický slovník Architektura a stavitelství, Grada 2017. (CS)
Oxford Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms, Oxford University Press 2007 a novější (CS)
Powell, M. Dynamic Presentations, Cambridge University Press 2011 (CS)
Štěpánek, L. De Haff, J. a kol. Academic English / Akademická angličtina, Grada 2011 (CS)
Tluková, J., Struhala, K., Slánský, B., Nevrlý, M. Slovník stavební terminologie. Studijní opora FAST VUT 2015 (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme ARCHURB Doctoral

    specialization URBAN , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
    specialization ARCH , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

  • Programme ARCHURB Doctoral

    specialization URBAN , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
    specialization ARCH , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Guided consultation

2 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Jolana Tluková, Ph.D.

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Jolana Tluková, Ph.D.

Syllabus

6 lessons of tuition and reading, at the dates agreed upon, the technical
book is chosen by the doctorand, in cooperation with the supervisor

1. Introduction. Basic terminology in architecture.
2. Terminology in urbanism. Using specialized dictionaries.
3. Types and charakteristics of journal papers. Discussion of secondary literature.
4. IMRAD Format of journal paper. Consultation and selection of scientific publication.
5. Structure and practice of research paper: introduction, methods and materials, and results.
6. Structure and practice of research paper: discussion and conclusions.
7. Types of abstracts. structure and practice.
8. Consultation of submitted abstracts. Elaboration of key terminology from a selected publication.
9. Standard format and language of oral presentation in English.
10. Tips, how to effectively present and react to questions from the audience.
11. Practising of students´ presentations. Conference English.
12. Practising of students´ presentations. Discussion about current conferences and workshops.
13. Consulation of the summaries and key terminology.