MLMWPP-Work Placement or Extended Project

Module Provider: Languages and Cultures
Number of credits: 90 [45 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Placement opportunity: Micro placement
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Mr Federico Faloppa
Email: f.faloppa@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This optional module aims to provide an opportunity for career development through reflective learning. Students will either a) self-organise a placement (240 hours) to undertake in an NGO or organisation of their choice or b) undertake a detailed examination of an NGO, or organisation, or role of their choice. Students will then construct a written assessment which provides the opportunity for critical reflection on their placement or an extended project. 

Early in the year, a session will provide dynamic advice on how to secure a placement, and a list of partners organisations to contact for finding a placement. Students will work collectively to self-organise a series of relevant speakers from NGOs, national and international organisations, and will conduct research on the language-related aspects that most interests them (for instance, language policy in international NGOs, language and healthcare, language teaching through NGOs in refugee and migrant settings, etc.). Students will develop their approach to the written assessment supported by workshop discussion, and tutor and peer feedback, and in doing so will also develop their pitching and presentation skills.

Aims:

The module aims to provide an opportunity for reflective learning in relation to work experience or intensive research into an NGO, organisation or role of their choice. The module aims to provide students with an opportunity for critical reflection on their own career development in the graduate sector. Students will also be encouraged to reflect on the transferable skills they have acquired in the course of their studies and to identify skills they plan to develop in relation to future employment.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• reflect critically on the work of an organisation working with migrants and refugees;


• evaluate their own skills and performance in a working context; or create a profile of the requisite skills and performance necessary in a particular working context.


• review their skills and experience and identify their training needs in relation to their career plans;


• deploy skills in research, writing and presentation in documenting and reflecting on their experience or research.

Additional outcomes:

This module enables students to develop practical, organisational and reflective skills. The module extends skills and competencies which are central to the degree: teamwork; oral communication and group co-operation; critical and contextual analysis and coherent argument; presentation of written work. 

Outline content:

Students take this module in Spring term, with preliminary sessions in the Autumn term. The Spring Term will include a combination of speakers from NGOs and national/international organisations organized by the students, workshop and feedback sessions on students’ developing approach to the module, and a series of tasks that develop students’ self-presentation and careers planning in an NGO context, including designing a communication campaign, a personal/organisational website with landing page, biography and downloadable creative CV, and a blog reflection on their placement experience (as applicable). Placement experience can take place in either Spring or Summer terms, or in the associated vacation periods. 

Global context:

Students will have the opportunity to research an NGO or an organisation in a geographical location of their choosing.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Students will learn through self-directed study, a self-organised programme of speakers from NGOs and national/international organisations, placement experience, and classes that build confidence in identifying and securing placements, and that will provide tutor and peer feedback on students’ developing approach to their written assessment. Students will undertake other tasks outside of class time, which are focused on honing their skills of self-presentation and careers planning in an NGO context. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	4	4
Tutorials	2	4	4
Work-based learning			240
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		20	100
Advance preparation for classes		20
Preparation of practical report		40
Completion of formative assessment tasks		20
Essay preparation			442
Total hours by term	6	108	786
Total hours for module	900

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	65
Report	35

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will undertake a placement report (3,000 words, worth 35%) and a reflective report (6,000 words, worth 65%).

For students undertaking the placement, the reflective report will include a) a detailed account of the student’s work for the NGO/organisation, drawing attention to the utilisation of language and cultural skills and competencies developed during their studies and outlining new skills and competencies developed through the experience; (b) an analysis of the relationship between the student’s work experience and intended career, including detailed consideration of future training needs and plans for fulfilling these needs; (c) an appendix (outside the word count) of relevant documentation, which may include photographs, printed or recorded materials, statistical or other data. 

For students undertaking the extended project, the reflective report will include a) a detailed account of aspects of an NGO/organisation working with refugee/migrants, organisation or role that are of particular interest to the student that will help to prepare the student for entry into such a sector, organisation or role; b) an analysis of how these skills are developed and what qualifications are necessary to achieve this; c) an appendix (outside the word count) of relevant documentation, which may include photographs or recorded materials, statistical or other data.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will write a related blog post (600 words) on their experience, and prepare a 1) short biographical note (250 words)2) a downloadable CV. 

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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:

An overall mark of 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of failed elements. Students are required to contact the School to confirm reassessment arrangements.

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