When you describe the learning objectives and learning outcomes of your course use dynamic verbs rather than stative verbs: in other words, use verbs that describe the objective in question as a specific, observable and therefore measurable action, like explain, classify, define, analyse or discuss, rather than as a general state or condition that cannot be easily evaluated, like know, understand, have experience of or be familiar with.

Consider the following list.

• Objectius d’aprenentatge
  
  Comprendre el sistema que regula la seguretat pública.
  Familiaritzar-se amb les bones pràctiques de màrqueting.
  Conèixer la història de l’anàlisi biològica.

The literal translation of the list would be

• Learning objectives
  
  Understand the system regulating public safety.
  Become familiar with good practices in marketing.
  Know the history of biological analysis.

However, these verbs are neither measurable nor dynamic, so a more appropriate and grammatically correct translation would be

• Learning objectives
  
  Explain the system regulating public safety.
  Identify good practices in marketing.
  Discuss the history of biological analysis.

The above is particularly true of the Catalan verb conèixer, often used in lists of learning objectives. To translate this verb, do not use the stative verb know, which is neither measurable nor dynamic and cannot combine grammatically with the verbs can or be able to. Instead, use a dynamic verb. The table below offers some common-sense options.



For a more complete list, see Appendix IV: Verbs expressing objectives and outcomes in course guides.