IF0IE1-International English A

Module Provider: International Study and Language Institute
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: IF0IEJ International English
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mrs Leslie Lust
Email: l.lust@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module will provide the necessary basis in English for study at undergraduate degree level. The focus of the module is on developing and applying skills in English for academic purposes. This module aims to develop the language skills of students who have already achieved an overall IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent in Academic English. Delivery of the module is offered face-to-face and online.

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia

Aims:

• to develop students’ competence and skills in the use of English for Academic Purposes from a basis where their command of academic English shows significant weaknesses;


• to provide the necessary foundation to enable students to cope with the linguistic demands of the International Foundation Programme and to qualify for an undergraduate programme;


• to introduce students to the theme of relationships between nations, society, corporations and the environment -; using academic sources students will build up a body of knowledge on the issues associated with this topic in order to write a discursive essay and to participate in an academic seminar;


• to develop students’ confidence in understanding and using English in academic situations

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

' present ideas, arguments and information with clarity and reasonable accuracy both orally and in written form using appropriate academic register and conventions.

' identify key information in reading and listening texts; comprehend texts at sentence, paragraph and text level; critically engage with academic reading and listening material.

Additional outcomes:

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

• Successfully engage with the University online teaching and learning platform Blackboard, becoming familiar with its features for accessing learning resources, online synchronous and asynchronous teaching, live group work, assessment delivery and submission and performance monitoring.


• make effective use of a variety of scholarly resources;


• use a variety of resources for the purpose of independent study.


• evaluate their own progress and manage their time effectively as they move to more independent study;


• actively reflect on their own learning processes so as to independently develop appropriate strategies and relevant skills;


• demonstrate an understanding, through reading authentic texts, listening to lectures and through discussion and debate on the topic of relationships between nations, society, corporations and the environment in the modern world.

Outline content:

In the Autumn term, focus is on the basics with a carefully scaffolded approach to academic writing at paragraph level. In the Spring term students continue to develop their language skills through researching and writing a prescribed essay. The essay topic is discursive in nature and helps students to organise their thinking and writing in an analytical way, eventually removing the scaffolding entirely. In the summer term students engage in a seminar activity which reinforces their confidence in listening and speaking in academic situations.  

The module will focus on the development of the following skills in the use of English for Academic Purposes.

• Listening skills: note-taking; listening for key words; listening for detail; identifying main and supporting points;


• Reading skills: reading for specific academic purposes; comprehension at sentence and paragraph level; text analysis; identifying the write r's standpoint; skimming, scanning; understanding main ideas and coping with new vocabulary;


• Writing skills: planning and drafting; paragraph structure; essay structure; writing introductions and conclusions; editing, supporting arguments with reference to reading material; paraphrasing to avoid plagiarism; summarising; comparing and contrasting; cause and effect; describing processes and describing graphs and tables;


• Speaking skills: participating in discussions and debate: expressing opinion and defending arguments;


• In addition, students actively develop their own academic vocabulary base.

Global context:

The module explores global issues pertaining to the relationships between nations, society, corporations and the environment in the modern world.  Students from diverse international backgrounds are encouraged to critically reflect on and expand their global knowledge base both in the classroom and without.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A blended learning approach is used for teaching the module, with content elements provided online through guided screencasts, worksheets and quizzes, while seminars and tutorials are conducted face to face in interactive classroom settings. 

 A scaffolded approach guides students progressively toward stronger understanding and, ultimately, greater independence in the learning process.

The module is available online for students regi stered on the FFIFP-DL Distance Learning programme.  Delivery is through pre-recorded lectures and live online seminars in Blackboard Collaborate or on MS Teams, using communicative methodologies which encourage pair and groupwork. Asynchronous content will be uploaded in advance of synchronous contact points to allow students to work on the content in a way that suits them, giving students the flexibility to work on the material at a time of day that best suits them. A flipped le arning approach 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.



Feedback and feed-forward is provided through seminars and tutorials (surgeries) to aid in learner development. Students studying the module remotely will receive feedback and feed-forward through live online seminars and tutorials an d through Blackboard Turnitin.  



Students will also be expected to take responsibility for their own learning by setting goals and making regular use of online resources including those from the University of Reading library, SACLL (Self Access Centre for Language Learning) and Blackboard (the University Virtual Learning Environment).

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	55	55	20
Seminars	11	11	4
Tutorials	11	11	4
Guided independent study:	90	90	38
Total hours by term	167	167	66
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	35
Oral assessment and presentation	35
Class test administered by School	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

No final examination 

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Autumn term  

Week 11: In-class/Online test held in examination conditions tests students' ability to apply the reading into writing skills covered in the term as well as, vocabulary and academic language use. A listening test based on a recorded lecture or interview will test note-taking and listening comprehension skills. 

Spring term

Week 9: A summative essay assignment is discursive in nature, explores different perspectives and is based on guided use of written texts and listening sources. 

Summer term

Week 3: Group seminar assessment integrating speaking, listening and reading skills; conducted in small groups/online using Blackboard collaborate.

Formative assessment methods:

Early in the Autumn term, students write two formative paragraphs and take a formative listening test which is used to analyse their strengths and weaknesses linguistically and in terms of academic practice.

A process writing approach is used for the written assignment in the Spring term, whereby students plan and prepare successive drafts of their summative essays for feedback and subsequent improvement prior to final submission.

A formative seminar provides feed-forward to prepare students for the summative seminar assignment in the summer term.  

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:

The pass mark for all Part 0 modules is 40%.

To qualify academically, an overall module mark of 55% OR 60% depending on intended degree is required to satisfy the linguistic entry requirements of the undergraduate programme as set by the relevant School. 

Reassessment arrangements:

By 3 hour examination during the August University resit period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

1. De Chazal, E. and Rogers, L. Oxford EAP: Intermediate/B1+: Student's Book and DVD-ROM Pack Oxford University Press. 


2. Bailey, S., Academic Writing: A handbook for International Students. (2018) Fifth Edition; Abingdon, Oxon: Routeledge

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: 30 March 2023