IF0NU1-English for Academic Purposes 1

Module Provider: International Study and Language Institute
Number of credits: 60 [30 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Semesters in which taught: Semester 1 module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Elisabeth Wilding
Email: e.a.wilding@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

IF0NU1 is designed to give students the general academic language skills and strategies needed to begin their Part 1 degree studies at the NUIST Reading Academy. The module is an introduction to general English for Academic Purposes (EAP), providing students with basic academic language, skills and strategies. It will focus on reading, writing, listening and speaking in an academic context, as well as introducing students to the practice of independent study, managing their own learning and basic research skills.

This module is delivered at the NUIST Reading Academy, China.

Aims:

To develop students’ language knowledge and language skills to meet the needs of their future academic studies, by improving their ability to:

• understand written texts and use them in completing academic assignments


• understand spoken texts and take notes


• take part in group discussions


• deliver formal presentations


• present information, ideas and opinions through writing

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• demonstrate understanding of modified academic texts within a limited amount of time


• demonstrate understanding of spoken monologues and dialogues, delivered at a modified pace


• interact orally with others in the exchange of information and the development of ideas and opinions


• briefly present information, ideas and opinions orally, in a coherent and clear manner


• respond in writing to a given question in a relevant, coherent and communicative manner

Additional outcomes:

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

• identify and use additional language learning resources, according to their individual needs


• organize their time efficiently in order to meet course deadlines


• work effectively as a member of a team

Outline content:

The module will focus on development of the following:

• Reading skills and strategies, including survey reading, close reading, selecting information, summarising, monitoring comprehension


• Listening skills and strategies, including identifying main and supporting points, note-taking, decoding connected speech, monitoring comprehension


• Speaking skills, including oral presentations, group discussions, oral fluency, communicative strategies


• Writing skills, including paragraphing, essay structure, introductions and conclusions, cohesive devices, proof-reading


• Language knowledge, including vocabulary, with a focus on the most frequent words in general academic English; grammatical structures; functional language, particularly those relevant to general academic English; pronunciation

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will employ a communicative approach to language development, with an emphasis on meaning, task-completion, interaction and feedback. Students will be actively engaged, working together in pairs and groups. Students will be expected to work independently outside class, individually and in groups, both to complete assignments and further develop their own language.

Contact hours:

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Practicals classes and workshops	216
Guided independent study:	384
Total hours by term		0
Total hours for module	600

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Portfolio	70
Class test administered by School	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The portfolio will comprise: student attendance/engagement; coursework including written and oral tasks; a midterm test. 

Formal grading will not be introduced in the module; only a pass or fail will be recorded.

The in-class test will assess students’ progress in all skills covered during the semester.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will complete frequent formative assignments during the semester and will be given individual feedback where possible. Although the module is pass-fail, students will be provided with an overall mark at the end of the module to provide them with an indication of their progress. They will also be given formative feedback on the end-of-module assessment and an indication of their current language performance in the four skills areas assessed.

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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%

Reassessment arrangements:

Students who fail the module at first attempt will be given one attempt to resit by examination only during the August/September NUIST Reading Academy resit period. 

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: 22 September 2022