IL1GSAA: English for Study Abroad Programme Students (Semester-Long)

Module code: IL1GSAA

Module provider: International Study and Language Institute

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Double Presentation: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Mrs Wendy Hillier, email: w.l.hillier@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have English language at B2 level or above. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

If you are a visiting student on a Study Abroad programme and would like to improve your English during your stay, you can take this module for 20 credits (10 ECTS) either during Semester 1 (Option 1) or Semester 2 (Option 2). It may also be possible for students here for only one semester to take half the module for 10 credits (5 ECTS).

Non-credit option also available for a fee – please enquire with ISLI Administration.

This module aims to improve students’ ability to:

• Communicate in English at an advanced level with increased clarity, fluency, accuracy and complexity in speaking and writing
• Understand, analyse and make use of written and spoken English texts at an advanced level
• Make appropriate linguistic choices in speaking and writing in terms of grammar, vocabulary and language register
• Use English to engage with, research, discuss and debate a wide range of topics of current relevance in the English-speaking world and students’ own cultures

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Discuss topics of current relevance both orally and in writing
2. Select and incorporate ideas from written and spoken English source material into their writing
3. Make appropriate grammatical, lexical and stylistic choices in speaking and writing that allow meaning to be communicated with clarity and precision within the given genre

Module content

The module comprises two units, each with a different focus. Both units are available in both semesters and are completed simultaneously. Students taking half the module for 10 credits in one semester can choose which unit they would prefer to do.

Both units include:

• Speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English
• Student-led oral discussions on topical issues
• Practice of giving an oral presentation in English
• Teacher feedback on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation errors after discussions
• Gaining an insight into other students’ cultures – and reflecting on aspects of your own

Unit 1 additionally focuses on:

• Academic writing in English – academic style, incorporation of sources, essay writing
• Reflecting on your experiences as an advanced language learner and visiting student immersed in a new culture

Unit 2 additionally focuses on:

• Analysing how viewpoints are expressed explicitly and implicitly in news articles and news clips
• Debating topical issues in the news

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is taught entirely in English, through sessions in which students interact with the teacher and with each other. In addition to teacher-led presentation and discussion elements, 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 (but not forced) to share their opinions. Prior to these student-led discussion sessions, students will prepare by watching a video and/or reading a text selected by the presenter. 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.

The 200 study hours are listed for the first iteration of teaching in Semester 1, and these same contact hours are repeated for the second iteration of teaching in Semester 2.

Study hours

At least 66 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

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. 

Reassessment

Additional costs