ILMAMTN-Academic English for Meteorologists

Module Provider: International Study and Language Institute
Number of credits: 0 [0 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Ms Louise Bourguignon
Email: l.a.bourguignon@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Ms Gill Kendon
Email: g.b.kendon@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module focuses on the discipline-specific language and communication skills to perform more effectively at post-graduate level in Meteorology. It is primarily designed for students whose first language is not English. The module focuses on key written and spoken assignment genres such as dissertations and presentations. 

The module is non-credit-bearing and designed to support students’ disciplinary study, the expectation being that students will apply the skills they have learnt in on ILMAMTN in their credit-bearing work. Therefore, for the module itself there is no assessment or expectation of independent study hours.

Aims:

This module aims to support MSc Meteorology students whose first language is not English with their transition to the UK HE context and academic culture, with a specific focus on the key academic language and skills needed to successfully complete a Master’s level dissertation and to engage effectively in lectures and spoken interactions and tasks.

By the end of the module, students will be better able to:

• recognise what is expected, structurally and linguistically, in the different elements of a Dissertation i.e. abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion.


• deploy task-appropriate language (grammar and lexis) in their writing


• identify key ideas in lectures/seminars


• communicate fluently and accurately within their discipline by building their subject-specific vocabulary and grammar 

Assessable learning outcomes:

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Additional outcomes:

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Outline content:

Classes will focus on the following:

• Organisational patterns and key language for the following aspects of Dissertation writing, e.g.:
  
  
  
  • Writing the Introduction: establishing the relevance of your research focus, identifying your research niche, and outlining the purpose and structure of your thesis
  
  
  • Reviewing the literature: comparing/contrasting and synthesising the ideas of other scholars; establishing your own stance within an ongoing academic debate 
  
  
  • Writing about results: describing and analysing research findings
  
  
  • Discussion in a Dissertation: interpreting and evaluating results and engaging with the wider scholarly debates related to your research project
  
  
  • Writing your conclusion: identifying key research outcomes, and talking about implications, limitations, and potential future research
  
  
  • Writing the Abstract: succinctly and accuratel y summarising the key points of your dissertation text
  
  
  
  


• Listening skills and strategies for lectures including analysing stretches of connected speech


• Speaking skills for short talks

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 module takes a discipline-specific approach to language and literacy development using example student texts and published meteorology-specific sources in classroom tasks. 

The module will also use spoken texts from meteorology lectures to develop students’ receptive and productive disciplinary language knowledge and listening skills. 

Teaching will be learner-centred, taking a task-based approach to:

• analysis of example texts from the target genres


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


• scaffolded written-language and spoken-language practice tasks

Summative assessment- Examinations:

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Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

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Formative assessment methods:

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Penalties for late submission:

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Assessment requirements for a pass:

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Reassessment arrangements:

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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: 16 December 2021