This module provides training in academic language and study skills for successful postgraduate study in the context of the UK generally, and at the University of Essex in particular. The module provides classes at several language proficiency levels, allowing targeted preparation for students entering degree courses with different language proficiency entry requirements. To join this module, a student must be within ½ IELTS band of their degree course language proficiency requirement, both overall and in writing.
The module is divided into 2 x 5-week periods. The module will be taught during the Long Vacation term.
Module aims
The aims of this module are to:
1. provide opportunities to raise language accuracy and fluency across the skills, for students at or approaching European Framework Proficiency Level B2
2. provide practice in key academic language skills including term assignment writing, writing under exam conditions, seminar preparation and participation, reading to write, listening to lectures and note-taking
3. provide students with an increased awareness of western methods of teaching and learning as well as introduce them to the system at Essex specifically
4. help students with transition from prior learning cultures in order to reach a better understanding of the criteria by which academic work is assessed
5. provide students with practice in supported individual and independent study through use of extended assignment and project work
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- competency in the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking to levels required for their degree course
- an ability to understand and take notes from demanding, longer academic texts related to their intended course of study, with a view to writing with appropriate integration of information from / acknowledgement of sources
- an ability to produce a long assignment (up to 2,000 words) at B2 level in accordance with British academic conventions
- the ability and confidence to participate fully in seminar discussion and presentations, as well as in tutorial-based discussion
- the ability to prepare appropriately for lectures, take notes and review lecture-based learning materials
- proactive skills in researching requirements of course work, course assignments and course examinations
- further development of general independent enquiry and learning skills
- an ability to continue to develop their language skills independently, in parallel with degree course work.
Syllabus
For core EAP skills training, classes are organised by language proficiency level. Subject-based classes are used for genre-specific skills training and peer-supported practice. Students are provided with further classroom sessions on Listening to lectures and note-taking, Presentation skills and Seminar speaking skills.
The core syllabus is intended to facilitate students' development in the following skills in academic English:
Academic reading skills
- Proficient prediction and deduction techniques
- Proficient skimming of text for overall meaning
- Proficient scanning of text for specific information
- Reading texts effectively for a range of purposes
- Note-taking practice for use in summary, paraphrase, quotation and citation
- Recognising language markers used in academic discourse
- Familiarity with complex sentence structures and their use
Academic writing skills
- Structuring a long essay
- Proficient use of discourse markers and cohesive devices
- Use of suitable register dependent on the task
- Extracting and synthesising information from notes based on outside sources
- Following academic conventions using appropriate citations and referencing
- Revise and edit own work
Academic listening skills
- Preparation for lecture listening through reading and questioning
- Proficient prediction and deduction techniques
- Efficient listening for key information in lectures
- Use of notes for a range of academic purposes
- Further development of strategies for dealing with incomplete comprehension
- Proficient note-taking skills at level required by degree course
Academic speaking skills
- Preparation for and participation in seminar-style discussion
- Question forms appropriate to academic register including questionnaire-style items
- Language for discussion including agreement, polite disagreement, questioning, asking for clarification, elaboration of ideas, summation of ideas
- Presenting ideas and information in the target discipline in the form of short, prepared talks both without and with integrated use of visual aids such as PowerPoint
Assessment
Breakdown of assessment tasks:
Writing skills: timed-writing test 20%
Listening skills: listening test 15%
Speaking skills: oral presentation 15%
Academic Project (first and second draft of two reading-to-write assignments 1,500 + 2,000 words) 50%
Pass mark for module: 40% (NB: students need to achieve 40% in each assessed element of coursework)
The module is divided into 2 x 5-week periods. The module will be taught during the Long Vacation term.
Module aims
The aims of this module are to:
1. provide opportunities to raise language accuracy and fluency across the skills, for students at or approaching European Framework Proficiency Level B2
2. provide practice in key academic language skills including term assignment writing, writing under exam conditions, seminar preparation and participation, reading to write, listening to lectures and note-taking
3. provide students with an increased awareness of western methods of teaching and learning as well as introduce them to the system at Essex specifically
4. help students with transition from prior learning cultures in order to reach a better understanding of the criteria by which academic work is assessed
5. provide students with practice in supported individual and independent study through use of extended assignment and project work
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate:
- competency in the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking to levels required for their degree course
- an ability to understand and take notes from demanding, longer academic texts related to their intended course of study, with a view to writing with appropriate integration of information from / acknowledgement of sources
- an ability to produce a long assignment (up to 2,000 words) at B2 level in accordance with British academic conventions
- the ability and confidence to participate fully in seminar discussion and presentations, as well as in tutorial-based discussion
- the ability to prepare appropriately for lectures, take notes and review lecture-based learning materials
- proactive skills in researching requirements of course work, course assignments and course examinations
- further development of general independent enquiry and learning skills
- an ability to continue to develop their language skills independently, in parallel with degree course work.
Syllabus
For core EAP skills training, classes are organised by language proficiency level. Subject-based classes are used for genre-specific skills training and peer-supported practice. Students are provided with further classroom sessions on Listening to lectures and note-taking, Presentation skills and Seminar speaking skills.
The core syllabus is intended to facilitate students' development in the following skills in academic English:
Academic reading skills
- Proficient prediction and deduction techniques
- Proficient skimming of text for overall meaning
- Proficient scanning of text for specific information
- Reading texts effectively for a range of purposes
- Note-taking practice for use in summary, paraphrase, quotation and citation
- Recognising language markers used in academic discourse
- Familiarity with complex sentence structures and their use
Academic writing skills
- Structuring a long essay
- Proficient use of discourse markers and cohesive devices
- Use of suitable register dependent on the task
- Extracting and synthesising information from notes based on outside sources
- Following academic conventions using appropriate citations and referencing
- Revise and edit own work
Academic listening skills
- Preparation for lecture listening through reading and questioning
- Proficient prediction and deduction techniques
- Efficient listening for key information in lectures
- Use of notes for a range of academic purposes
- Further development of strategies for dealing with incomplete comprehension
- Proficient note-taking skills at level required by degree course
Academic speaking skills
- Preparation for and participation in seminar-style discussion
- Question forms appropriate to academic register including questionnaire-style items
- Language for discussion including agreement, polite disagreement, questioning, asking for clarification, elaboration of ideas, summation of ideas
- Presenting ideas and information in the target discipline in the form of short, prepared talks both without and with integrated use of visual aids such as PowerPoint
Assessment
Breakdown of assessment tasks:
Writing skills: timed-writing test 20%
Listening skills: listening test 15%
Speaking skills: oral presentation 15%
Academic Project (first and second draft of two reading-to-write assignments 1,500 + 2,000 words) 50%
Pass mark for module: 40% (NB: students need to achieve 40% in each assessed element of coursework)