Module Description
This module facilitates core English language and study skills development that is required for successful postgraduate study in the context of the UK generally, and at the University of Essex in particular.
The aims of this module are:
- to provide opportunities to practise and raise language accuracy and fluency across the skills at B2 level of the European Framework. Students will revise areas of English grammar and extend their range of academic and, to a lesser extent, general English vocabulary
- familiarise students with a basic awareness of western methods of teaching and learning as well as providing general cultural awareness
- help students develop basic learner autonomy
- provide the opportunity for students to develop their academic skills through class and portfolio work
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- an ability to learn the meaning of, use and store new academic vocabulary
- an ability to deliver an effective presentation
- participate confidently and appropriately in seminars
- communicate clearly and effectively in tutorials
- the development of independent enquiry and learning skills
- an awareness of the British academic way of life
- accurate application of grammatical structures within an academic context
- an ability to undertake a limited investigation on a general topic reflecting cultural awareness
- an ability to acknowledge source material in an appropriate way
- the ability to use language skills in academic studies at B2 level of the European Framework
- an ability to produce a short essay (up to 1,500 words) in accordance with British academic conventions
Syllabus
Reading
- Independent prediction and deduction techniques
- Independent skimming of text for overall meaning
- Scanning a text for specific information
- Learning techniques for dealing with unknown vocabulary
- Basic note-taking
- Recognising cohesive devices
- Awareness of sentence structure
Writing
- Basic sentence and paragraph structure
- Short essay structure 500-1,500 word report/descriptive essay
- Writing introductions and conclusions
- Introduction to key discourse markers and cohesive devices
- Effective punctuation
- Identifying and correcting errors
- Using outside sources
Listening
- Prediction and deduction techniques
- Listening for gist
- Listening for key information
- Introduction of basic strategies for dealing with incomplete comprehension
- Introduction to note-taking skills and taking basic notes of key points from a B2 European Framework level listening text
- Recognising features of spoken language
Speaking
- Strategies for dealing with Pronunciation miscues
- Forming questions using suitable Academic register
- Responding to questions using suitable Academic register
- Expressing Opinions
- Agreeing/Disagreeing using suitable Academic register
- Exchanging basic general information
Learning & Teaching Methods
Teaching will mostly consist of interactive classes, workshops and tutorials where appropriate. There will be an emphasis on learner independence, peer and self assessment.
Assessment
100 per cent Coursework Mark
Coursework:
Portfolio of coursework (2,000 words):
- Reading to write diary (500 words) - no weighting
- Essay and re-draft (500 words) - 10%
- Essay - summary writing (1,000 words) - 30%
Oral presentation (10 mins) - 10%
A 2-hour test (reading to write) - 50%
Exam Duration and Period
Bibliography
- Bailey, S. (2006) Academic Writing Routledge: UK
-
-
Cottrell, S (1999) The Study Skills Handbook Basingstoke: Macmillan
-
-
Eastwood, J (1999) Oxford Practice Grammar (2nd ed). Oxford: OUP
-
-