LS2YSA-Study Abroad

Module Provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics
Number of credits: 120 [60 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Dr Christiana Themistocleous

Email: c.themistocleous@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is taken by students on the Year Abroad who are placed in an exchange university.

Aims:

One of the aims of the year abroad is to increase students’ skills and knowledge in the field of linguistics. This module aims to provide students with opportunities for achieving this aim alongside students of the host institution who are studying linguistics. A further aim is to provide students with the opportunity to broaden their experience of linguistics as conceived and taught in another culture. This module also aims to provide students with the opportunity to monitor, in an explicit and systematic fashion, their progress in learning and using the foreign language in naturalistic settings through the reflective process of the language log.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• provide explicit information on the rate and nature of their progress in communicative abilities in the foreign language by means of a longitudinal language log;


• organise their knowledge and articulate arguments effectively in speech and writing.


• compare and contrast cultural patterns of communication between the home and host cultures.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to encourage the development of the students’ awareness of foreign cultures, through improved communicative effectiveness.

Outline content:

It is expected that students spend the third year in a country where the foreign language is spoken. If English is the mainly spoken language in the country visited, then students are encouraged to take another language module of their choice.  During the time abroad, students are required to keep a regular longitudinal ‘language log’ on their personal communicative progress in the foreign language, in everyday situations outside the language classroom. This must be main tained in a form prescribed by the Director of Studies, to whom it must be submitted on the students’ return from the term abroad, together with a reflective final entry which draws on the language log documenting the student’s progress during the time spent abroad.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The language log is maintained as a guided personal diary with headings and prompts to ensure consistency of representation throughout the period of self-observation.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Year aboad	400	400	400
Total hours by term	400	400	400
Total hours for module	1200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

As required for the language classes by the prevailing procedures of the host institution. The language log will be carried forward if it bears a mark of 40% or more overall; otherwise it must be re-submitted by the first Monday of the Spring Term of the Final Year.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 4 April 2020