ML2YS2: Semester 2 Study or Work Placement Abroad

Module code: ML2YS2

Module provider: Languages and Cultures; School of Humanities

Credits: 40

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Catriona McAllister, email: c.mcallister@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: Mini placement

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 16 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module consists of:

• One academic semester at a university in a French-/German-/Italian-/Spanish-speaking country OR
• One academic semester in a work placement in a French-/German-/Italian-/Spanish-speaking country OR
• One academic semester as a British Council English-language teaching assistant in a school in a French-/German-/Italian-/Spanish-speaking country.

N.B. This module aims to assess the semester 2 learning outcomes BOTH of students who are on a study or work placement for semester 2 only; AND of students who are on full-year placements.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate a sound understanding of grammar and accurate use of a wide range of vocabulary and idiomin the written and/or oral forms of the target language.

and either:

Where undertaking University study:

2. Demonstrate knowledge of a range of topics in courses taken at their exchange university;
3. Construct critical and coherent arguments in oral presentations and/or essay-writing and/or exams as required by the relevant foreign university system.

or:

Where undertaking a work placement or British Council assistantship:

2. Analyse the structure, functioning and operating procedures of the company or educational establishment (students whose placement is continuing from semester 1 are exempt from this outcome);
3. Analyse their role within the company or educational establishment, with particular focus on the contributions they have made and specific achievements attained in semester 2;
4. Explain the main lessons that have been learnt as a result of the placement or assistantship, in terms both of the knowledge that has been acquired and the skills and competencies that have been developed in semester 2.

Module content

After agreement by the relevant co-ordinator in the Department of Languages and Cultures, students will either:

• Choose 20 ECTS credits of modules at their host university on aspects of French-/German-/Italian-/Spanish-speaking language and culture OR
• Be employed by a company to undertake a range of responsible activities, which will vary according to the company OR
• Be employed to teach English, as a British Council language assistant in a school or schools in a French-/German-/Italian-/Spanish-speaking country.

The type(s) of school and the teaching undertaken will vary according to the requirements of the country concerned. Whether studying or working, the semester 2 (part of a) placement will develop the students’ linguistic skills and cultural knowledge in the relevant language of study.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students on a study abroad placement in semester 2 (whether the full year or in semester 2 only): students will be required to take modules totalling 20 ECTS (40 UoR credits) per semester – and to pass 12 ECTS (24 UoR credits) of these with at least 40% – in order to pass this module. Students must submit university transcript for semester 2 as evidence that they satisfy these requirements.

Students on work placements or British Council assistantships (semester 2 or full-year): students will be required to produce an end-of-placement report from their employer (the template for which will be provided by DLC) as evidence that they have successfully completed their placement and fulfilled the requirements of their contract with the employer. Students will also be required to complete an end-of-placement, reflective report in the language of study, the template for which will be provided by DLC.

Study hours

This module is a placement or study abroad module and therefore the teaching and learning activities will predominantly, or entirely, take place away from the University of Reading. Your host organisation will normally advise you of the associated hours of your placement or year abroad. If the module includes any in-person activities at the University of Reading, these will be confirmed to you 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 the relevant item(s) of assessment to pass the module.

For students on a study abroad placement, the marks that students achieve at their host university will be brought back with them to the University of Reading. After translation in accordance with the agreed formula, the marks will be applied to this module and, if applicable, used in the calculation of progression and/or the overall classification. 

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.

University of Reading-based formative assessments will not be employed. Students on study placements are, however, expected to complete any formative assessments set by their host university. Students on work placements and British Council language assistantships are expected to conform to organisation-specific requirements for any formative assessments, such as performance reviews or oral presentation. 

Reassessment

Additional costs