Please note
This document only provides information for the academic year selected and does not form part of the student contract
School:
Huddersfield Business School
Credit Rating:
45
Level (including FHEQ):
P (FHEQ Level 3)
Graded or Non Graded:
Graded
Version Valid From:
2023-09-01
Module Leader:
Sam Fremantle
Version Number
2024.01
Learning Methods
Lecture
Guided Independent Study
Supervised Time in Studio/Workshop
Synopsis
Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential on Huddersfield Business School programmes.
The specific aims are:
To develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related skills required for successful study … For more content click the Read More button below.
To develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language so as to enable students to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence.
To support students in reflecting on their learning and identifying how to improve their skills and language.
To ensure students are able to meet the requirements of the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) and the through demonstrating an English language level of B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) in the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Learning Strategy
Two thirds of the module time will focus on the development of language-related academic skills. One third will focus on language development, thus providing additional support for students who are weaker in some language areas. This allows tutors to focus on grammatical accuracy, lexical range and pronunciation with students who … For more content click the Read More button below.
Students are expected to apply guidance on independent study skills to spend a further 270 hours on assignments and self-directed study, to include revision, expansion, organisation and self-testing on areas of language and skill covered in the module.
Outline Syllabus
The Academic English Skills module will cover a range of topics to allow for a range of lexical and grammatical input and a variety of tasks. Texts and lectures related to the students’ field of study are also used to allow for input on subject-specific vocabulary. Exam assessments are synoptic, … For more content click the Read More button below.
The full course outline is included in the module handbook. Each week includes a balance of input on the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Language-related academic skills and key concepts such as critical reading, plagiarism and referencing are introduced early in the module to ensure that students are prepared for the requirements of their academic modules. These skills are developed and extended throughout the module.
The academic reading component of the course introduces students to a range of text types, from short texts to academic articles, and includes:
finding sourcescritical reading – evaluating the reliability of sources, distinguishing fact and opinion, evaluating the strength of claimseffective reading skills – skimming for gist and scanning for specific information, distinguishing between main points and supporting information, identifying sources of information in a textunderstanding meaning – strategies for deducing the meaning of unknown words, understanding implied meaning and author purposeidentifying relationships between ideas in a textidentifying key information and making notes
Texts and academic skills of critical reading incorporated in the academic reading component of the module are appropriate to meet threshold standards of RQF level 3.
The academic writing component of the module takes students through the skills and language required for effective academic writing from planning to editing, covering:
understanding essay questionsanalysing, planning and organising different text and essay typesmaking notes from texts, lectures and presentationstext organisation: effective introductions and conclusions, paragraphing, sequencing ideas to produce a logical and effective argument, cohesionincorporating support into writing: paraphrasing, summarising, synthesising sources, incorporating direct quotations, referring to data, in-text and end of text referencingwriting instructions and describing processesacademic writing styleproof-reading and editing work
Core listening skills to be covered in the module are:
Recognising lecture and presentation structure, using signpostingUnderstanding main ideasIdentifying specific informationFollowing discussions between speakers on academic and social topicsUnderstanding instructionsDeducing meaning from contextRecognising the importance of stress and intonationMaking notes from a lecture or presentation
The speaking component aims to develop student fluency and confidence in speaking in a range of situations. Content includes:
Describing problems and negotiating solutionsExpressing an opinion and reporting on the views of othersGiving instructions and explaining informationInitiating and maintaining a discussionParticipating in seminars, supporting a view, seeking clarification, agreeing and disagreeingDeveloping an argumentSummarising and paraphrasingDelivering a structured presentation to an audience and responding to questionsDeveloping fluency – connected speech, stress and intonation
Language Development:
The grammar and vocabulary focus on the module takes students through the lexis and grammatical structures at CEFR B1+ to B2 level and beyond, focussing on developing accuracy and range in grammatical structures, and incorporating topic-based vocabulary, the Academic Word List, word formation and strategies for vocabulary learning, as well as focussing on issues in pronunciation.
The learning outcomes and module assessments allow students to demonstrate their competency in the skills and language covered throughout the course.
References to external benchmarking in the Learning Outcomes are: C – Council of Europe Framework of Reference, CA – CEFR (Adapted) at B2 level, RQF – Recognised Qualifications Framework level 3.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will
1.
Follow the essentials of, and take effective notes on lectures, talks, reports and other forms of complex academic presentation. (C)
2.
Select appropriate reference sources, and interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas. (RQF Level 3)
3.
Read with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes. (C)
4.
Research, plan and write an essay systematically developing an argument with appropriate highlighting of significant points and relevant supporting information, and synthesising information and arguments from a number of sources. (C)
5.
Express him/herself clearly using a range of language and some complex sentence forms, presenting ideas clearly and responding to lines of argument in writing and speaking. (CA)
Formative Assessment
Assessment 1: Practice exam/test
Summative Assessment
Assessment 1: Written Assignment
Assessment 2: Exam
Assessment 3: Exam
Assessment 4: Presentation
Assessment Criteria
The overarching aim of the module is the development of students’ academic skills to the required standard for undergraduate study therefore a pass mark of 40% is required. The coursework assessments are linked to the student’s subject of study, to ensure that research and reading is of interest and relevance. … For more content click the Read More button below.
Students are required to complete summative assessments through course work (CW) and exams (EX) to demonstrate their level of language skill and competency in the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking, which together combine to demonstrate threshold standards described by the learning outcomes. Consequently, a range of formats and modes of assessment are combined to allow students to demonstrate they have fully met the Learning Outcomes.
Where possible, assessments are linked in order to create more authentic academic tasks. Formative and interim assessments in the first and second semester are designed to scaffold the summative Coursework and Exam assessments
The presentation will address a specific topic presented to the students before the reading/notetaking exam (EX1) and will be based on the same topic as the written and audio texts used in EX1 and EX2. The presentation (CW2), Reading/note-taking exam (EX1) and Listening/note-taking exam (EX2) all form parts of an integrated exercise on one topic in the interests of authenticity
My Reading
Reading List