Unit information: English for Academic Study 1F in 2010/11

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Unit name English for Academic Study 1F
Unit code LANG00021
Credit points 20
Level of study QCA-3
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None

School/department Centre for Academic Language and Development
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

Main areas covered are text analysis, research methods, listening to lectures, note-taking, and seminar skills. The research methods and text analysis targeted are those related to basic academic writing (and reading), essentially being tied in with essay-writing assignments. A bridge/transition is sought from rhetorical functions and single paragraph level writing to the discourse level requirements of longer essays. Much of this work also relates to text types found in the IELTS writing sub-test (e.g. ‘argument’-based writing, and using data to support points). The academic reading strand deals integratively with key reading skills and strategies for approaching academic texts. Listening and seminar skills strands are dealt with through situational materials replicating target situation skills-using scenarios.

Aims:

The unit is a module within the Pathway Certificate (International Foundation Year) programme, designed to prepare international students for undergraduate and postgraduate study in the UK. It is one of a number of complementary units whose overall aim is to improve the language, study skills and subject knowledge required to succeed at a British university. On this unit, the aim is the development of higher level study skills in English, including text analysis, research methods, listening to lectures and participation in seminars. A secondary aim is to help in preparing students for the IELTS exam.

Intended Learning Outcomes

  • plan, draft and redraft essays of 300-400 words which are well-organised, relevant, and clearly expressed with appropriate synthesis of other sources
  • gain a more advanced level of reading sub-skills for dealing with source texts
  • take and make notes on the main points of a text or lecture for the purposes of re-use, esp. in collecting material for essay writing
  • take active part in seminars on prepared semi-academic topics and discussions on non-academic topics

Teaching Information

Learning is facilitated in small group classroom sessions (average 12, up to 15). Individual and group-based work is integrated as appropriate. Situations will be created which endeavour to replicate the study contexts students might encounter. In addition to a range of textbooks and authentic written texts, use will be made of appropriate e-learning technologies.

Assessment Information

Course Assessment: Timed essay 1 (20%); Timed essay 2 (30%) = 50%

Examination: Writing and Reading (35%); Seminar skills assessment (15%) = 50%

Reading and References

  • Pallant, A. (2004) English for Academic Study: Writing. Reading: Garnet
  • Slaght, J. & Harben, P. (2004) English for Academic Study: Reading. Reading: Garnet
  • Campbell, Colin & Jonathan Smith (2007) English for Academic Study: Listening. Reading: Garnet
  • McCormack, Joan & Sebastian Watkins (2007) English for Academic Study: Speaking. Reading: Garnet
  • Lynch, Tony (2004) Study Listening (Second edition). Cambridge: CUP
  • Anderson, Maclean & Lynch (2004) Study Speaking (Second edition). Cambridge: CUP

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