IL1AKSHN-Key skills and language for Business and Finance degrees course

Module Provider: International Study and Language Institute
Number of credits: 0 [0 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: v.collins@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This course provides an orientation to the academic language and literacy skills needed to perform more effectively on a UK Business School master’s programme. Students will have the opportunity to study academic texts in their subject area, become more aware of the types of writing assignments they will encounter, and familiarise themselves with the spoken communication demands of their degrees. They will also be introduced to the academic practice and independent learning expectations of UK postgraduate study, and gain familiarity with Reading’s learning platforms and digital resources.  

Aims:

The course aims to develop students’ understanding of and competency in using the discipline-specific academic language, skills and practices required to perform effectively on their postgraduate degree programmes in Henley Business School. 

By the end of the course students will be better able to 

Writing Skills 

• analyse HBS writing assignment instructions accurately, recognising what is required in an effective response 


• distinguish between the different assignment types (or genres) you are required to write, e.g. the Essay, Case Study, Proposal, and Reflection  


• produce effective written coursework, applying genre-appropriate organisational patterns at paragraph, section and whole-text level  


• develop logical arguments and a critical writer ‘voice’ within texts you produce 

Reading Skills 

• critically engage with texts in your discipline, employing appropriate academic reading skills and strategies 


• identify and appraise writer stance and argument within disciplinary texts 

Reading-to-Write Skills 

• use a variety of techniques to incorporate and comment on the views of others in your writing  


• synthesise ideas and information from a range of source texts to make evidence-based arguments 


• accurately apply the referencing conventions for your discipline when citing your reading 

Accuracy & Fluency 

• use appropriate disciplinary vocabulary and academic grammar to communicate fluently and accurately in your speaking and writing 


• prepare and produce confident and coherent spoken-language texts 

Academic Practice & Independent Learning 

• demonstrate an awareness of university policies and practices, and the reasons behind them such as conventions for good academic practice, and student feedback mechanisms 


• locate and utilise learning resources and techniques to continue your own academic skills development. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

The course will not be assessed.

Additional outcomes:

n/a

Outline content:

Academic Practice & Independent Learning:

• Studying at postgraduate level: an overview of skills & language expectations


• Academic integrity: citing sources


• Differences and similarities between coursework and exam writing


• Independent learning resources: digital and face-to-face support at Reading

Writing:

• Orientation to key written genres in your discipline: case studies & proposals


• Orientation to key written genres in your discipline: essays & reflections


• Developing definitions in your academic work


• Creating cohesion in academic writing

Reading:

• Academic journal articles in your discipline: review vs. research articles


• A ‘Moves & Steps’ approach to reading research articles: Intro ductions & Discussions


• Applying reading skills: focus on the Harvard Business Review

Reading-to-write:

• Why and how sources are used in academic writing


• Introduction to an online citation tool


• Synthesis and citation of multiple sources at paragraph level

Spoken Language:

• Listening for key points and listening for de tails of an interactive presentation


• Spoken accuracy & fluency: ‘Me in a minute’ – presenting yourself succinctly

Global context:

This module supports internationalisation at Reading by facilitating successful and equal inclusion of students whose first language is not English in UK degree programme study. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course takes a discipline-specific approach to language and literacy development using example student texts and published Business/Finance-specific sources in lesson input.

Learning will combine lecture-style input with a learner-centred, task-based approach to:

• analysis of example texts from the target genres 


• guided ‘noticing’ of key (organisational, (argumentative) and) linguistic features in context  


• scaffolded written-language and spoken-language tasks  

The course is delivered online, with students engaging independently with the majority of asynchronous input. Alongside asynchronous learning, a strand of synchronous engagement will be facilitated by live online Q&A sessions 2-3 times per week. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

None

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

None

Formative assessment methods:

None

Penalties for late submission:

n/a

Assessment requirements for a pass:

n/a

Reassessment arrangements:

n/a

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

None

Last updated: 17 July 2020