Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.2.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

English for Psychology

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
VC_043
Branch of Science
Psychology
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Anna Jurčenko
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts

Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv

About Study Course

Objective

Develop the English language communication skills for study and further work purposes in the chosen specialty and promote the acquisition and practical use of specialised professional terminology.

Preliminary Knowledge

Knowledge of English at the level of secondary school programme.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.On successful completion of the course the students will be able to: • recognise, translate and explain terminology related to psychology; • name the most commonly used equivalent terminology in English in the field of psychology and medicine; • determine and report the speaker’s point of view; • find and reproduce main information from authentic texts both in spoken and written English.

Skills

1.On successful completion of the course the students will be able to: • use the relevant professional terminology both in spoken and written English; • prepare and give presentations on issues related to psychology; • express and defend their own opinion using the appropriate vocabulary; • prepare questions of different types to interview people; • write a summary; • describe trends given in a graph.

Competences

1.The students will be able to work as a team, express and defend their point of view both orally and in writing, using the professional terminology.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Presentation
25.00% from total grade
10 points

Final presentation on one of the related topics.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Final Test
25.00% from total grade
10 points

Knowledge and use of psychological terminology is tested using various types of tasks (reading, text analysis, writing tasks, etc.).

The cumulative exam is offered if the semester work result (tests, written assignments, and presentation combined) is 8 points or higher.

Students are obliged to fill in the course evaluation questionnaire at the end of the course.
2.

Test 1
25.00% from total grade
10 points

Students complete written assignments, read authentic texts on topics covered during the course, and complete text comprehension tasks.
3.

Test 2
25.00% from total grade
10 points

Students complete written assignments, read authentic texts on topics covered during the course, and complete text comprehension tasks.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Definition of ‘psychology’. Branches of psychology. 1.1. Course "English for Psychology" overview: objectives, tasks, learning outcomes, requirements, tests and examinations. 1.2. Words from general English with a special meaning in psychology.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Definition of ‘psychology’. Branches of psychology. 1.1. Course "English for Psychology" overview: objectives, tasks, learning outcomes, requirements, tests and examinations. 1.2. Words from general English with a special meaning in psychology.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Academic English. 2.1. Definitions, synonyms, antonyms, word collocations, set expressions. Applying AI for reserach. 2.2. Presentations. Structure of presentations. Signposting language. Presentation evaluation.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Academic English. 2.1. Definitions, synonyms, antonyms, word collocations, set expressions. Applying AI for reserach. 2.2. Presentations. Structure of presentations. Signposting language. Presentation evaluation.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Academic English. 2.1. Definitions, synonyms, antonyms, word collocations, set expressions. Applying AI for reserach. 2.2. Presentations. Structure of presentations. Signposting language. Presentation evaluation.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Academic English. 2.1. Definitions, synonyms, antonyms, word collocations, set expressions. Applying AI for reserach. 2.2. Presentations. Structure of presentations. Signposting language. Presentation evaluation.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Branches and sub-branches of psychology and professional fields. 3.1. Fixed phrases from psychology and academic English. 3.2. Academic English: a summary - writing principles, a topic sentence and supporting ideas.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Branches and sub-branches of psychology and professional fields. 3.1. Fixed phrases from psychology and academic English. 3.2. Academic English: a summary - writing principles, a topic sentence and supporting ideas.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Branches and sub-branches of psychology and professional fields. 3.1. Fixed phrases from psychology and academic English. 3.2. Academic English: a summary - writing principles, a topic sentence and supporting ideas.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Branches and sub-branches of psychology and professional fields. 3.1. Fixed phrases from psychology and academic English. 3.2. Academic English: a summary - writing principles, a topic sentence and supporting ideas.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Psychology in practice. 4.1. Occupational psychology. Personality testing. Different types of questions. 4.2. Clinical psychology. Adjectives to describe personality and personality traits.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Psychology in practice. 4.1. Occupational psychology. Personality testing. Different types of questions. 4.2. Clinical psychology. Adjectives to describe personality and personality traits.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Psychology in practice. 4.1. Occupational psychology. Personality testing. Different types of questions. 4.2. Clinical psychology. Adjectives to describe personality and personality traits.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Psychology in practice. 4.1. Occupational psychology. Personality testing. Different types of questions. 4.2. Clinical psychology. Adjectives to describe personality and personality traits.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Mental health. 8.1. Popular myths about mental disorders. 8.2. Phobias.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Mental health. 8.1. Popular myths about mental disorders. 8.2. Phobias.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Outstanding scientists in psychology. 6.1. S. Freud and C. G. Jung. Dreams and personality. 6.2. L. Vygotsky and J. Piaget. Cognitive psychology. Cognitive skills.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Outstanding scientists in psychology. 6.1. S. Freud and C. G. Jung. Dreams and personality. 6.2. L. Vygotsky and J. Piaget. Cognitive psychology. Cognitive skills.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Stress. Burnout. Symptoms, causes.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

End of semester written test: vocabulary exercises (matching exercises, multiple choice exercises, gap filling exercises); a text and reading comprehension tasks; a summary of the text.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
40 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Part 2

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Mental health. 8.1. Popular myths about mental disorders. 8.2. Phobias.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Mental health. 8.1. Popular myths about mental disorders. 8.2. Phobias.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Mental health. 8.1. Popular myths about mental disorders. 8.2. Phobias.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Mental health. 8.1. Popular myths about mental disorders. 8.2. Phobias.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human body. Human appearance. Human Brain. Symptoms, which are typical for patients with psychological issues.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human body. Human appearance. Human Brain. Symptoms, which are typical for patients with psychological issues.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human body. Human appearance. Human Brain. Symptoms, which are typical for patients with psychological issues.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human body. Human appearance. Human Brain. Symptoms, which are typical for patients with psychological issues.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Memory. Models of memory. Short-term and long-term memory. Forgetting and remembering. Memory and hypnosis. Compound nouns and fixed phrases from psychology.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Memory. Models of memory. Short-term and long-term memory. Forgetting and remembering. Memory and hypnosis. Compound nouns and fixed phrases from psychology.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Memory. Models of memory. Short-term and long-term memory. Forgetting and remembering. Memory and hypnosis. Compound nouns and fixed phrases from psychology.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Memory. Models of memory. Short-term and long-term memory. Forgetting and remembering. Memory and hypnosis. Compound nouns and fixed phrases from psychology.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Memory. Models of memory. Short-term and long-term memory. Forgetting and remembering. Memory and hypnosis. Compound nouns and fixed phrases from psychology.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Memory. Models of memory. Short-term and long-term memory. Forgetting and remembering. Memory and hypnosis. Compound nouns and fixed phrases from psychology.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Modern Addictions. 10.1. Abuse and dependency. Identifying stance. Expressing confidence and tentativeness. 10.2. Expressing one’s point of view. Building an argument. Reported speech.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Modern Addictions. 10.1. Abuse and dependency. Identifying stance. Expressing confidence and tentativeness. 10.2. Expressing one’s point of view. Building an argument. Reported speech.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Modern Addictions. 10.1. Abuse and dependency. Identifying stance. Expressing confidence and tentativeness. 10.2. Expressing one’s point of view. Building an argument. Reported speech.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

The end-of course examination: Written part: a text and connected tasks; vocabulary exercises (matching, gap-filling, definitions); a written task (a letter/ describing a graph/ a summary). Spoken part: a presentation on one of the topics covered during the academic year.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

The end-of course examination: Written part: a text and connected tasks; vocabulary exercises (matching, gap-filling, definitions); a written task (a letter/ describing a graph/ a summary). Spoken part: a presentation on one of the topics covered during the academic year.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

The end-of course examination: Written part: a text and connected tasks; vocabulary exercises (matching, gap-filling, definitions); a written task (a letter/ describing a graph/ a summary). Spoken part: a presentation on one of the topics covered during the academic year.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
40 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
PART-TIME
Part 1

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Definition of ‘psychology’. Branches of psychology. 1.1. Course "English for Psychology" overview: objectives, tasks, learning outcomes, requirements, tests and examinations. 1.2. Words from general English with a special meaning in psychology.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Academic English. 2.1. Definitions, synonyms, antonyms, word collocations, set expressions. Applying AI for reserach. 2.2. Presentations. Structure of presentations. Signposting language. Presentation evaluation.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Academic English. 2.1. Definitions, synonyms, antonyms, word collocations, set expressions. Applying AI for reserach. 2.2. Presentations. Structure of presentations. Signposting language. Presentation evaluation.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Branches and sub-branches of psychology and professional fields. 3.1. Fixed phrases from psychology and academic English. 3.2. Academic English: a summary - writing principles, a topic sentence and supporting ideas.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Branches and sub-branches of psychology and professional fields. 3.1. Fixed phrases from psychology and academic English. 3.2. Academic English: a summary - writing principles, a topic sentence and supporting ideas.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Psychology in practice. 4.1. Occupational psychology. Personality testing. Different types of questions. 4.2. Clinical psychology. Adjectives to describe personality and personality traits.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Psychology in practice. 4.1. Occupational psychology. Personality testing. Different types of questions. 4.2. Clinical psychology. Adjectives to describe personality and personality traits.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Outstanding scientists in psychology. 6.1. S. Freud and C. G. Jung. Dreams and personality. 6.2. L. Vygotsky and J. Piaget. Cognitive psychology. Cognitive skills.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Stress. Burnout. Symptoms, causes.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Stress. Burnout. Symptoms, causes.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
20 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Part 2

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Mental health. 8.1. Popular myths about mental disorders. 8.2. Phobias.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Mental health. 8.1. Popular myths about mental disorders. 8.2. Phobias.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human body. Human appearance. Human Brain. Symptoms, which are typical for patients with psychological issues.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human body. Human appearance. Human Brain. Symptoms, which are typical for patients with psychological issues.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Human body. Human appearance. Human Brain. Symptoms, which are typical for patients with psychological issues.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Memory. Models of memory. Short-term and long-term memory. Forgetting and remembering. Memory and hypnosis. Compound nouns and fixed phrases from psychology.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Memory. Models of memory. Short-term and long-term memory. Forgetting and remembering. Memory and hypnosis. Compound nouns and fixed phrases from psychology.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Modern Addictions. 10.1. Abuse and dependency. Identifying stance. Expressing confidence and tentativeness. 10.2. Expressing one’s point of view. Building an argument. Reported speech.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Modern Addictions. 10.1. Abuse and dependency. Identifying stance. Expressing confidence and tentativeness. 10.2. Expressing one’s point of view. Building an argument. Reported speech.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Modern Addictions. 10.1. Abuse and dependency. Identifying stance. Expressing confidence and tentativeness. 10.2. Expressing one’s point of view. Building an argument. Reported speech.
Description

Students acquire professional terminology, as well as practice all four language acquisition skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing and listening.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
20 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Short, J. (2011) English for Psychology in Higher Education Studies. Garnet Publishing Ltd.

2.

McCarthy, M. and O'Dell, F. (2016) Academic Vocabulary in Use: Second Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

3.

Fiske, S. (ed.). Annual Reveiwes of Psychology: Online Journal.

Additional Reading

1.

Bailey, S. (2011) Academic Writing : a Handbook for International Students. New York : Routledge.

2.

Matsumoto, D. (2009) The Cambridge Dictionary of Psychology. Cambridge ; New York: Cambridge University Press.

3.

Swales, J. (2012) Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills. Ann Arbor : The University of Michigan Press.

4.

Wood, S. (2004) Mastering the World of Psychology. Boston : Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Other Information Sources

1.

Psychology Articles.

2.

Dictionary

3.

Psychology Today.

4.

Simply psychology