IL1GSA-English for Study Abroad Students

Module Provider: International Study and Language Institute
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mrs Wendy Hillier
Email: w.l.hillier@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

If you are a visiting student on a Study Abroad programme in Reading and would like to improve your English during your stay, you can take this module either during the Autumn Term, or the Spring Term, or both. The two-term module is 20 credits (10 ECTS), or you can gain 10 credits (5 ECTS) for one term. Alternatively, you can take the module as a non-credit student (i.e., as an extracurricular activity), for a fee (2022 prices: £340 for the full year, or £220 for one term; please note these are likely to increase for 2023/24 and beyond). Non-credit students are not required to complete any assessments unless they wish to.

Assessment is an essay at the end of each term, plus a 10-minute oral exam in which you discuss topics with a partner.

To get the most out of this module, your English level should be B2 or C1 according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). If your level of English is already higher than C1, you may find that this module is not suitable for you. We are unfortunately not able to offer a course specifically at C2 level at present, but students with this level of English may still find aspects of this module useful if they choose to take it.

Here are some of the key features of the module:

• Speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English


• Student-led oral discussions on topical issues


• Teacher feedback on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation errors after discussions


• Academic writing in English (mainly Autumn Term)


• Exploring the topics of learning a language and living in another culture from your perspective as a Study Abroad student (Autumn Term)


• Analysing opinions in the news (Spring Term)

Aims:

This module aims:

• to enable students to improve their competence in the four language skills and consolidate their knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and language register;


• to extend and enhance students’ communicative abilities with a focus on relevant topics in order to equip them with the ability to study and participate in an English-speaking environment;


• to develop their ability to express themselves effectively in a wide range of situations, including in an academic context;


• to improve their understanding of English as it is used in a range of written and spoken contexts, both general and more academic;


• to improve their ability to write critically in an academic style, using supporting evidence as appropriate;


• to provide advanced pronunciation training and to improve students’ confidence in using English in spoken contexts such as seminar discussions and oral presentations;


• to extend their cultural awareness.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the module students will be able to:

1. use English productively: clearly communicate information and arguments of some complexity in spoken and written English, in order to produce coherent and accurate essays and oral contributions;


2. use English receptively: read, understand and make use of information from a wide range of written texts and spoken discourse in a variety of topic areas;


3. use a varied, accurate and appropriate repertoire of language: correctly apply a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures in an appropriate register, enabling more complex information to be communicated;


4. share points of view: research, construct and present a clear argument, and express and defend opinions on a wide range of current issues;


5. reflect on culture and language learning: apply their awareness of cultural and language-learning issues to spoken and written work.

Additional outcomes:

Students will:

• be involved in regular group activities and gain confidence in presenting ideas orally;


• make progress through developing skills of independent language study and application;


• develop an awareness of and sensitivity to culture(s) in the UK, in which they will be equipped to study and participate;


• be able to transfer some of the skills acquired on this course to their concurrent study of other modules.

Outline content:

• Academic writing (mainly Autumn Term): academic style, essay structure, linking ideas, analysing essay questions, referencing, using source material (quotations, paraphrases, summaries)


• Discussions on topical issues selected by students (topics from TED Talks, issues in the news)


• Discussions on language learning and living in another culture as a Study Abroad student (Autumn Term)


• Analysing how opinions are expressed in the news (Spring Term)

Global context:

The module draws on students’ experiences and unique perspectives as visiting students from other countries, cultures, and language backgrounds. It provides opportunities to reflect on aspects of British culture encountered whilst studying abroad and to compare and contrast these with students’ knowledge of their home culture(s). The module aims to develop students’ intercultural competence and awareness, both in terms of language use and discovering the host culture around them.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is taught entirely in English, through sessions in which students interact with the teacher and with each other. Students will often be asked to work with a partner or in a small group to complete language tasks, such as analysing a text or sharing ideas, before reporting back to the group as a whole. Some sessions will involve one or two students presenting a topic they have prepared and then leading a discussion with the group as a whole, in which all students will be invited (bu t not forced) to share their opinions. Prior to these student-led discussion sessions, students will prepare by watching a video selected by the presenter, as well as reading a text in some cases. After the discussions, presenters will receive individual feedback on language and pronunciation errors, and the rest of the group will receive anonymised feedback through a whole-class discussion of language use noted by the teacher. During the Autumn Term, students will also make use of online materi als and screencasts to further their understanding of the genre of academic writing, and will be encouraged to put what they have learnt into practice in their own writing. During the Spring Term, students will analyse ways in which opinions are expressed in news articles and news video clips, and compare and contrast these in writing.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	30	30
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10	10
Advance preparation for classes	20	20
Preparation for presentations	5	5
Completion of formative assessment tasks	5	5
Essay preparation	20	20
Reflection	10	10
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Oral assessment and presentation	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students taking the module in Autumn Term + Spring Term:

Autumn Term Week 11 – Written assignment: essay (1600 words) – 25%

Spring Term Week 11 – Written assignment: essay (1600 words) – 25%

Spring Term Week 11 – Oral discussion (10 minutes per pair) – 50%

Students taking the module in Autumn Term only:

Autumn Term Week 11 – Written assignment: essay (1600 words) – 50%

Autumn Term Week 11 – Oral discussion (10 minutes per pair) – 50%

Students taking the module in Spring Term only:

Spring Term Week 11 – Written assignment: essay (1600 words) – 50%

Spring Term Week 11 – Oral discussion (10 minutes per pair) – 50%

Formative assessment methods:

In order to consolidate and develop their language learning, students are encouraged to complete additional tasks – in class and outside – on which feedback is provided.

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:

Minimum 40% for the module overall for undergraduate students; 50% for PGT students.

Reassessment arrangements:

Students who need to be reassessed, e.g. because they have not achieved a passing grade for the module overall, will be required to redo the piece(s) of assessment (Autumn Term essay, Spring Term essay, oral exam) for which they have not achieved a pass – usually during August. Coursework with a mark above 40% (50% for PGT students) may be carried forward, i.e. included in the calculation of the final module grade together with the piece(s) redone. In the case of essays, students will need to choose a different essay question or topic and submit the essay by 12pm on the third Friday in August. In the case of the oral exam, students will take part in a discussion with a teacher rather than another student, and be assessed on their interaction with this teacher.

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: 30 March 2023