This module is designed to develop the competencies in core English language and academic literacy skills demanded of students to engage effectively in their subject studies both during Year 1 and in their subsequent undergraduate programmes.
Module aims
The aims of this module are to:
- provide opportunities to develop language accuracy and fluency at the B2 level of the European Framework
- enable students to practice the productive and receptive skills most commonly required within a range of academic settings
- help students to negotiate more effectively each stage in the production of a variety of academic compositions
- familiarise students with the academic conventions of the UK university system and the values underpinning them
- foster strategies for greater learner autonomy
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- comprehend the meaning of a range of grammatical constructions and lexical items as they are commonly employed in academic settings
- use language of appropriate accuracy, variety and register to contribute to academic discourse
- use research tools to investigate a given topic of academic inquiry
- acknowledge source material using a recognised citation format
- identify the key points within issues where analysis is needed
- evaluate the respective strengths of the arguments of other authors
- order ideas to present a viewpoint which is clearly and logically organised
Syllabus
CHARACTERISTICS OF ACADEMIC WRITING:
Characteristics and use of academic language
The role of cohesive devices
Writing definitions
Constructing introductions and conclusions
Topic sentences and paragraph structure
Paraphrasing
Synthesizing ideas
Revising and editing of own work
WRITING FROM SOURCES:
Locating source material
Prediction and deduction of written text
Note-taking techniques
Skimming text for overall meaning and scanning for specific information
Reading texts efficiently and effectively for a range of purposes
Interpreting information conveyed in graphic form
In-text referencing
Constructing reference lists
CRITICAL THINKING:
Developing an argument through the logical organisation of ideas
Expressing complex opinions
Responding appropriately to the argument of others
STUDY SKILLS:
Being a student, and academic values
Time management and assignment preparation
Library skills
Expressing ideas and opinions in oral presentations and with the aid of appropriate visual tools
Assessment
Formative:
One in-class diagnostic test at the beginning of term 1
200-word paraphrasing and in-text referencing in week 8 (weighting 0%, formative). Material given out in Week 6. Feedback provided in Week 11.
Weekly Moodle exercises in term 1
Summative:
Term 1:
One in-class 7 minute reflective oral presentation in Week 10 (15%). Titles given out in Week 8. Feedback provided in Week 16.
One 90 minute in-class language test (15%). Feedback provided in Week 16.
Term 2:
One 600-word essay (15%). Title given out in Week 17. Assignment submitted in Week 20. Feedback provided in Week 23.
One 1,000-word essay (25%). Title given out in Week 21. Assignment submitted in
Week 28. Feedback provided in Week 31.
Term 3:
One 2000-word essay (30%). Title given out in Week 32. Assignment submitted in
Week 37. Feedback provided in Week 43.
Module aims
The aims of this module are to:
- provide opportunities to develop language accuracy and fluency at the B2 level of the European Framework
- enable students to practice the productive and receptive skills most commonly required within a range of academic settings
- help students to negotiate more effectively each stage in the production of a variety of academic compositions
- familiarise students with the academic conventions of the UK university system and the values underpinning them
- foster strategies for greater learner autonomy
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- comprehend the meaning of a range of grammatical constructions and lexical items as they are commonly employed in academic settings
- use language of appropriate accuracy, variety and register to contribute to academic discourse
- use research tools to investigate a given topic of academic inquiry
- acknowledge source material using a recognised citation format
- identify the key points within issues where analysis is needed
- evaluate the respective strengths of the arguments of other authors
- order ideas to present a viewpoint which is clearly and logically organised
Syllabus
CHARACTERISTICS OF ACADEMIC WRITING:
Characteristics and use of academic language
The role of cohesive devices
Writing definitions
Constructing introductions and conclusions
Topic sentences and paragraph structure
Paraphrasing
Synthesizing ideas
Revising and editing of own work
WRITING FROM SOURCES:
Locating source material
Prediction and deduction of written text
Note-taking techniques
Skimming text for overall meaning and scanning for specific information
Reading texts efficiently and effectively for a range of purposes
Interpreting information conveyed in graphic form
In-text referencing
Constructing reference lists
CRITICAL THINKING:
Developing an argument through the logical organisation of ideas
Expressing complex opinions
Responding appropriately to the argument of others
STUDY SKILLS:
Being a student, and academic values
Time management and assignment preparation
Library skills
Expressing ideas and opinions in oral presentations and with the aid of appropriate visual tools
Assessment
Formative:
One in-class diagnostic test at the beginning of term 1
200-word paraphrasing and in-text referencing in week 8 (weighting 0%, formative). Material given out in Week 6. Feedback provided in Week 11.
Weekly Moodle exercises in term 1
Summative:
Term 1:
One in-class 7 minute reflective oral presentation in Week 10 (15%). Titles given out in Week 8. Feedback provided in Week 16.
One 90 minute in-class language test (15%). Feedback provided in Week 16.
Term 2:
One 600-word essay (15%). Title given out in Week 17. Assignment submitted in Week 20. Feedback provided in Week 23.
One 1,000-word essay (25%). Title given out in Week 21. Assignment submitted in
Week 28. Feedback provided in Week 31.
Term 3:
One 2000-word essay (30%). Title given out in Week 32. Assignment submitted in
Week 37. Feedback provided in Week 43.