English Department
Welcome to the LSFM English Department
The English team provides high quality English teaching to enable Bachelor’s students to communicate successfully in their subsequent professional careers or Master’s studies. For staff, we also offer language services (translating into English and proofreading) with a view to enhancing the quality of communication in English at the ZHAW’s School of Life Sciences and Facility Management. For further information about the English team and the English courses, please watch the video above.
«I gained a good grounding in writing, talking and reading, taking English classes at the ZHAW during my 1st year … without these basics I may not have succeeded in Norway.»
Andreas, BSc in Natural Resource Sciences
«Participating in the English Upper Intermediate course at the ZHAW has enabled me to reach the required level for taking part in a summer school, where lecturers and students from seven countries worked together on different projects involving cell cultivation techniques.»
Jana, BSc in Biotechnology
«My English lessons were tailored to the field of biotechnology, and they provided exactly what I will need in my future professional life: work related vocabulary, how to write reports and CVs, how to present scientific topics and much more.»
Natalie, Bsc in Biotechnology
Teaching
English is included in all the study programmes at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences Wädenswil and it is taught at three different levels:
- Intermediate
- Upper-intermediate
- Advanced
Before starting their studies, students take a placement test which helps determine which level is most appropriate for them. Students who have already passed an external exam at level C1 or higher may apply for dispensation.
The courses build on the students’ existing levels of competence and, by developing both oral and written language skills, help prepare students to be effective English users in their future employment or study situations. Two ETCS credit points are awarded per semester on successful completion of the module that English is part of.
In addition, we provide extra online support in a self-study course (Bridge Course) where students can work on and polish those areas where they may be a bit rusty or lack confidence.
Team
Optional courses
Cambridge English exam preparation
In addition to the regular English courses, students can prepare for one of the following Cambridge exams: First Certificate in English, Certificate in Advanced English, Certificate of Proficiency in English or IELTS. The courses combine one lesson per week in the autumn semester (usually lunchtimes or late afternoon) with self-study, and the exams are generally taken in March.
Cambridge English Exams
Contact: Darren Mace
Academic and Professional English (APE)
The APE course focuses on improving English skills for work or study. It gives both students and staff who are at B2 (e.g. First Certificate in English) level or above the chance to refine essential communication skills in English. The course takes place in the spring semester and consists of one double-lesson per week (late afternoon).
Contact: Dr. Caroline Hyde-Simon
Language Services
The English team provides proof-reading and translation services for employees working with English texts (e.g. scientific articles and papers, websites, presentations and posters).
Our familiarity with and close proximity to the various subject areas within the school of Life Sciences and Facility Management enables us to maintain an efficient and high level of service. This ranges from simple polishing to refining texts for publication.
We take a collaborative approach to enhance the clarity and precision of texts. Longer translations and those for publication are double-checked by a second team-member. We also give editorial feedback on content.
For further information about Language Services please contact Darren Mace.
«Language services have enabled us to communicate our messages better to our peers and stakeholders, and to target better journals. All of which are critical success factors for our work. The discussions with the language services team have also helped us to look at our work from a different angle, going beyond just examining language. Consulting and working with the English team has become part of our standard working process.»
Chahan Yeretzian, Professor for Analytical Chemistry, Bioanalytical Chemistry and Diagnostics
«Fast, competent and reliable. We regularly require support for the 11 Bachelor in Natural Resource Sciences English modules. Whether it is with translations of scripts, proof reading of course descriptions or lesson tips, the Language Services team is always helpful.»
Yvonne Christ, Student Mobility Coordinator
«Great service, great people. Working together helps us to publish not only scientifically correct but also linguistically precise articles, books and presentations. The Language Services team is a delight and a pleasure to work with.»
Sören Werner, Research Associate Biochemical Engineering
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Tandem meetings
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People with different native languages benefit from each other's language skills.
The cultural and sports programme for students.