LSMAPAL: Academic Practices in Applied Linguistics

Module code: LSMAPAL

Module provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics; School of Humanities

Credits: 0

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Parvaneh Tavakoli, email: p.tavakoli@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

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

This module introduces students to academic practices in the field of applied linguistics and the skills they need in becoming a successful post-graduate student on their programme of study. The module equips students with skills needed to identify and evaluate relevant informational resources and to use the virtual learning and assessment platforms at the University. It helps students realise the significance of following appropriate academic practices and conventions and the importance of critical reading and writing skills at Level 7. The knowledge and skills acquired in this module will be necessary for completing their academic work on all other modules.  

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the academic study skills required to complete their programme 
2. Identify and evaluate resources that hold the information related to their course and modules 
3. Apply their knowledge in using the university virtual learning environment and information resources  
4. Demonstrate understanding of the core issues in good academic practices (e.g., avoiding plagiarism) 
5. Understand feedback on assignment/coursework and develop skills to address feedback 

Module content

The topics to be covered during the module are as follows:  

Identifying and using information resources, marking criteria and assessment, citations and referencing practices, understanding and using feedback effectively, using Turnitin, critical reading and writing. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching of the module is structured around weekly lectures; the delivery includes lectures, seminars, workshops and interactive tasks in class, and is further supported by flipped learning of the materials on Blackboard divided on a weekly basis. 

Study hours

At least 18 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

This module is marked on a pass/fail basis. Students must pass each item of assessment to pass the module.

Submission of the short essay to Turnitin is considered a pass.

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.

Multiple-choice test to be completed in-class or at home.

Reassessment

Additional costs