Module FOUN0381: Academic English

Department: Foundation Year

FOUN0381: Academic English

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Preparation for Academic Study in English

Aims

• To provide a full grounding in the use of academic English in subject areas relevant to the student's future study
• To acquaint students with the English written genres relevant to the expression and study of their subject area
• To help the student use the appropriate academic genres to express their subject content
• To improve the processing of relevant academic texts
• To develop the oral expression and aural understanding of relevant academic knowledge

Content

• Study through text framing and move analysis of genres essential to academic study: for example: analytic, argumentative, discursive, descriptive and narrative essay forms, reports and case studies, projects and dissertations
• Study of the language to realise the move structures of the appropriate genres
• Study of reading skills for academic texts: research articles, text books, topic books: skim and scan, notetaking, oral and written summary
• 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, unfolding a more extended argument
• Study of grammatical constructions relevant to the support of the required reading, listening and speaking skills

Learning Outcomes

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

• enhanced ability to produce text in appropriate academic genres
• ability to read academic texts for gist and detail
• ability to make oral and written summaries of academic texts and to find language to condense points of view into argument sets
• ability to listen for gist and detail and to make appropriate notes
• ability to speak from notes
• ability to make effective contributions to seminars
• ability to obtain core points from lectures
• ability to use cohesive devices to clarify causal connections, logical contrasts and enumerate points

• ability to argue logically orally or in writing
• ability to give effective presentations in English
• ability to use software for effective presentations
• ability to profile problems in English
• enhanced self-presentation skills
• ability to draw balanced conclusions

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 lectures and demonstrations.
• 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.
• Learning outcomes will be assessed through the year in a portfolio of written work including a 500 word timed writing assignment based on aural input, a 500 word piece of writing, a 2,000 word essay and a 15 minute seminar-style presentation; and in an end of module exam.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Fortnightly formative practice tasks

■ 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