English FAQ
Answer: As the only genuine world language, proficiency in English will be a great asset for you in your professional future. English is not only the language of most international communication, but also the most commonly used language in many universities and colleges worldwide. Hence, beginning students may benefit greatly from studying English before choosing an academic career. If you are a primary or secondary school teacher, adding English to your CV will broaden your register and strengthen your competitiveness when looking for employment. Also, if you plan to work within the business sector or in the expanding tourist business, good English skills are extremely important. Even if you have no definite professional purposes with your studies with us, our courses will introduce you to exciting subjects like global politics, language, sociology, pedagogical theory and literary interpretation.
Q: What level of English do I have to have in order to cope with the studies?
A: To qualify for our courses, it is enough to have what the Norwegian system defines as realkompetanse. In practice, however, the courses will make some very real demands on your previous skills and knowledge, not least since you will have to read a great number of pages for each course, and do a great deal of writing. If you have serious doubts about your aptitude for our courses, it is a good idea to contact one of the teachers to talk it over. If your English feels a bit rusty it may also be a great idea to do some of your reading well before the courses begin. This will not only save you some time in the middle of a hectic semester, but also get you warmed up before we start: the curriculum books for each course are available on our homepage. You will find them at the end of each 'studieplan': click on any of the 'courses offered 2005-6.
Q: Do I have to live in Alta to study?
A: No, our new course format has been tailored so that students from all Finnmark, and the rest of Norway, should be able to attend. You will, however, need to arrange it so that you are able to be present at all our meetings. We would, of course, recommend that you do come and live in Alta while studying with us. Alta is a fascinating place, with a unique closeness to exciting natural surroundings, a very stable and pleasant climate, a growing cultural life and a loads of interesting people. In Alta, you may both enjoy the distance from the stress of big cities and feel very well connected with the rest of the world: Alta Airport has daily flights to Oslo Gardermoen, and through nearby Tromsø you will be well connected to numerous other destinations.
Q: How do I register for the courses?
A: To register, talk to the Study Office at Finnmark University College: you will find their phone numbers and e-mail addresses here, and information on how to register here. The teachers at the English Department have little to do with the registration process.
Q: How important is it to have computer access, and to know how to handle a computer?
A: It is very important that you have regular (preferably daily) access to a computer. Since a lot of our communication goes by way of e-mail, and a web-based teaching program called Class Fronter, it is important that you know how to open, write and send e-mails, and that you know how to access the internet. It will be crucial that you check your e-mail inbox and the Fronter room Notice Board on a very regular basis, preferably each day, as these are our most frequent means of communicating with you. It is also essential that you know the most basic things about how to use a word processing program, preferably Word. At the beginning of the course, you will be given instructions on how to use Class Fronter. Unfortunately, however, there will be very little time for the teachers to instruct you on word processing and thuse of e-mail and the internet. In case you do not have these skills already, you will either have to learn it on your own, or ask friends, family members or colleagues for help. Fortunately, it is very likely that, once you have gotten used to the IT element of the course, you will enjoy a new sense of mastery and feel that you have learned something new and valuable!
Q: Does meeting-based studies mean half-time studies?
A: No, English I and II (Engelsk Årsenhet) are full-time courses, and require at least the same work as a course taught on a weekly basis.
Q: Do I have to attend all the meetings?
A: Yes, attendance is compulsory. To be excused from attending a meeting, or an individual seminar, you will have to produce a medical testimony or some other document certifying that you have very good reasons for being absent.
Q: How many meetings do I have to attend per semester?
A: Normally, there are four meetings each semester/student. Apart from the regular compulsory meetings, however, students may choose to replace one written assignment per semester (in the Literature/Culture part of the course) with full and active attendance in a number of Speaking Practice Sessions. Generally, as these seminars will be held on location in Alta, only Alta-based students, or students who are prepared to travel here to attend these seminars, may choose this option. Since the number of seminars of this sort depends on the number of students who opt for them, we will not be able to give you all the details about them until the course start. (N.B.! The department is currently working to make it possible to offer Speaking Practice for students based in Kirkenes, but this is still uncertain.)
Q: Do I have to prepare before the meetings?
A: Yes, you will be asked to read the texts under discussion before meeting up in Alta. This means that you will make the best possible use of the time at your disposal, as well as contributing to the quality of the course in general. Although our teaching/learning methods may vary from time to time, and according to the subject, we firmly believe that there should be an important communicative element in your learning with us. Coming well prepared to our seminars means that you will increase your own possibilities to talk as much English as possible during your time with us.
Q: Do I have to go to York if I register for English II?
A: No, since we have found that this is difficult to demand from all students, you no longer have to go. It is, however, strongly recommended! The teachers you will have in York are excellent, the courses are useful toward your exam, and York is a pretty and fascinating city which gives you the opportunity to study and enjoy old and new British culture up close. In our experience, students are normally very happy with their stay. Thus, we suggest you start making plans for the trip as soon as you can!
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| Oppdatert av Per Håkon Bakkejord 26.06.2007 |