Module FOUD0141: PREPARATION FOR ACADEMIC STUDY IN ENGLISH

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0141: PREPARATION FOR ACADEMIC STUDY IN ENGLISH

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• Improve the students' level of written and spoken English such that they are able to begin academic study in the medium of English.
• Provide a grounding in the use of academic English appropriate to a number of different subject areas.
• Acquaint students with the English written genres relevant to the expression and study of a number of different subject areas.
• Use the appropriate academic genres to express appropriate academic content.
• Improve the processing of academic texts.
• Provide a grounding in the expression and understanding of relevant academic knowledge.

Content

• Study of the grammar and vocabulary appropriate to the production and understanding of English academic texts.
• Study of skills for academic writing: paragraphing, topic sentences, thesis statements, introductions/conclusions, signposting, coherence/cohesion, cause/effect.
• Study of genres essential to academic study (essay forms, reports, case studies, projects).
• Study of the language to realise the structure of the appropriate genres.
• Study of reading skills for academic texts: skimming/scanning, note-taking, summarising.
• Study of listening skills for lectures and seminars: listening for detail, listening for gist, identifying markers and signposts in order to note key sections.
• Study of speaking skills for lectures and seminars: asking questions, turn-taking, informal and formal presentations, summarising a discussion, expressing an opinion.

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding the different styles of writing involved in producing different genres: arguments, reports, descriptions, scientific writing (SK1).
• Knowledge of grammar and vocabulary forms specific to the creation and understanding of the above forms (SK2).
• Understanding of some of the generic text structures required in different academic subjects (SK3).

• Ability to produce a well-structured academic essay (SS1).
• Ability to produce a text in appropriate academic genres (SS2).
• Ability to read academic texts for gist and detail (SS3).
• Ability to make oral and written summaries of academic texts (SS4).
• Ability to listen for gist and detail and to make effective notes (SS5).
• Ability to speak clearly and confidently from notes (SS6).
• Ability to make effective and confident contributions to seminars (SS7).
• Ability to obtain core points from lectures (SS8).
• Ability to use cohesive devices to clarify causal connections, logical contrasts and enumerate points (SS9).

• Ability to argue logically orally and in writing (KS1).
• Ability to give effective presentations in English (KS2).
• Ability to use software for effective presentations (KS3).
• Ability to profile problems in English (KS4).
• Enhanced self-presentation skills (KS5).
• Ability to draw balanced conclusions (KS6).
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team (KS7).

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Theory, initial concepts and research techniques will be introduced during seminars.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured exercises, group work, discussions and library assignments during tutorials and students' own time.
• Although some essays and presentations are done in groups, students are graded individually.
• Learning outcomes will be assessed throughout the Teaching Block in a portfolio of written work.
• Test 1 will assess: SK1, SK2, SS5, SS8, SS9, KS1.
• Assignment 1 will assess: SK1, SK2, SS1, SS3, SS9, KS1, KS7.
• Assignment 2 will assess: SS6, SS7, SS8, KS1, KS2, KS7.
• Test 2 will assess: SK1, SK2, SS5, SS8, SS9, KS1, KS4, KS6.
• Assignment 3 will assess: SK1, SK2, SK3, SS2, SS3, SS9, KS1, KS4, KS6.
• Assignment 4 will assess: SS6, SS7, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS5, KS7.
• Assignment 5 will assess: SK1, SK2, SK3, SS3, SS4, KS1, KS4, KS6.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Fortnightly writing tasks to include: - Timed writing rewrite - Data description paragraphs - Paragraph writing - Grammar/vocab exercises - Proof-reading and redrafting

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University