IF0IE0-International English Plus

Module Provider: International Study and Language Institute
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: IF0IE1 International English A or IF0IEJ International English
Modules excluded: IF0IE2 International English B
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Mrs Amanda Fava-Verde
Email: a.c.fava-verde@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module runs for 8 weeks in the summer from July to September. It provides a full-time intensive introduction to Academic English and prepares international students for IF0IE1 International English. It is designed for students with a minimum IELTS level of 4.5 overall with no skill less than 4.5.

Aims:

The module introduces concepts and skills which will be studied in IF0IE1 International English, and aims to

• develop students' confidence, competence and skills in the use of English for academic purposes in order to cope with the linguistic demands of the International Foundation Programme.


• develop skills appropriate for study in English medium education


• develop processing and production of spoken and written texts in preparation for study at a UK university


• develop strategies that will foster learner autonomy and critical thinking skills


• develop an understanding of intercultural competency skills


• develop an understanding of the University study environment and UK academic culture and conventions. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

Writing outcomes: 

• Analyse an assignment task effectively demonstrating understanding of what is required 


• Engage in the writing process by planning, preparing and working on ideas 


• Understand and practise the main functions of introductions and conclusions 


• Understand and use the main features of a structured paragraph 


• Apply appropriate academic style and language register for the task 


• Demonstrate a developing range of appropriate vocabulary to express ideas 

Reading outcomes:

• Identify a purpose for reading, using appropriate reading strategies for that purpose 


• Identify and evaluate different types of texts 


• Demonstrate an awareness of text organisation and features in different genres of text and use this understanding to locate key information 


• Recognise cohesion within a text either through the use of linguistic markers, syntactic knowledge or contextual clues 

Listening outcomes:

• Distinguish main ideas from supporting points


• Demonstrate global understanding of an exte nded monologue, presentation or lecture


• Follow a group discussion and recognise and respond to opportunities to contribute


• Engage in and understand everyday conversation in situations related to your life in Reading (e.g. accommodation, travel, health)

Speaking outcomes:

• Exchange information on a range of topics in a discussion, asking for and giving information as required


• Seek others’ views and opinions and agree or disagree appropriately


• Give logically structured presentations, highlighting significant points with relevant supporting detail


• Ask and respond to questions about specific points following an extended presentation or lecture


• Demonstrate a developing range of appropriate vocabulary to express ideas

Additional outcomes:

• Demonstrate an emerging understanding of evaluative writing 


• Extract, paraphrase and summarise information from texts relevant to purpose 


• Evaluate information within a text using specific criteria


• Take and make sufficiently detailed notes for a specified purpose


• Recognise discourse functions in lectures (e.g. generalisations, digressions, exemplifications) and extract key information 


• Manage turntaking in a group discussion using appropriate phrases to gain the floor, invite others to speak, or bring the discussion back on topic 


• Pronounce sounds and words appropriately to convey meaning

Outline content:

The course comprises three components each week :  Reading into writing; Listening and Speaking; Academic talks.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A blended learning approach is used for teaching the module, with input elements provided online on the University VLE, Blackboard while seminars and tutorials are conducted face to face in interactive classroom settings. 

A flipped learning framework introduces students to the learning material in asynchronous sessions prior to synchronous sessions that seek to deepen understanding through discussion with peers and problem-solving activities facilitated by teachers.& nbsp;Tasks are carefully scaffolded to develop learner confidence with the skills. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their own learning by setting goals and making regular use of SACLL (Self Access Centre for Language Learning). 

CONTACT HOURS

Note: The module runs in the Summer vacation.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures			160
Tutorials			8
Guided independent study:			232
Total hours by term	0	0	400
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Oral assessment and presentation	10
Class test administered by School	90

Summative assessment- Examinations:
There is no final examination for this module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Regular, short summative assignments cover oral and listening skills, vocabulary development, reading, and writing at paragraph level.Progress tests in Weeks 4 and 6 test students' ability to apply reading into writing skills and to express ideas in a group presentation.

Formative assessment methods:

Students complete weekly tests on Blackboard designed to a) test comprehension of topics covered and b) apply knowledge and practice skills.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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:
40% to pass the module academically

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment is by written examination in the August/September exam period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

N/A

Last updated: 8 April 2021