English for Academic Purposes (In Session)

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• How to write essays and reports of different styles e.g. compare and contrast, case study.
• The relevant conventions followed in academic English (both written and spoken) e.g. referencing and citation.
• How to summarise and synthesize content coherently to support opinion e.g. use of library or other sources and identification of particular attitudes or viewpoints.
• How to identify the main and supporting points in discussions and lectures e.g. signposting language, discourse markers.
• How to identify the structure of lectures and produce well-organised mini presentations e.g. introduction, conclusion.
• How to process extended speech and follow fairly complex lines of argument
• How to efficiently identify, analyse and evaluate source material appropriate for your discipline e.g. usefulness, relevancy and reliability.
• How to engage in social chit chat e.g. start conversations, interrupt, extend or change topic
• How to plan a PG dissertation and/or PGR thesis e.g. scoping the question, the literature review, organisation and development of discussion
• How to deliver academic presentations e.g. preparation, structure, flow
• How to construct an academic essay, which involves the use of sources e.g. Organisation, summary and synthesis.
• How to write clear, detailed text supporting your points with academic evidence e.g. in text citation.
• How to take an active part in discussions and to sustain a point of view e.g. seminars, debates

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Work as a member of a team by cooperating with others, negotiating, listening to others in a group, sharing responsibilities & tasks.
• Listen to, understand and take notes in seminars, discussions and general conversation.
• Set and monitor individual goals, reflect on your own learning and feedback, and have the confidence to seek help when needed.
• Employ a range of general and academic vocabulary appropriately.
• Apply a range of reading and critical thinking strategies to help you to read and examine text efficiently and critically.
• Prepare and deliver individual oral presentations.
• Actively participate in discussions, debates and general conversation.
• Produce writing in appropriate academic genres and follow required conventions, including referencing.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Identify appropriate sources of information for your subject area.
• Extract, paraphrase and synthesise key information from written and spoken sources more effectively.
• Interpret and analyse a range of information from different sources more effectively e.g. evaluation of suitability.
• Express facts.
• Locate resources for your subject area. E.g. Use of the Hartley and Avenue Library, Avenue Learning Resources Centre (LRC) and online more efficiently.
• Present reasoned and structured arguments, both orally and in written form more effectively.
• Recognise and understand academic vocabulary e.g. Awareness of the Academic word list.

The following topics will be covered in classes offered during the academic year:

• Academic writing skills
• Grammar skills for writing
• PGT Dissertation writing skills (semester 2)
• PGR Thesis writing skills (semester2)
• Critical Thinking skills

Critical Thinking and Argument skills for Post Graduate students

• Speaking skills
• Everyday English skills

These classes provide you with opportunities to attend to the areas of English that are most in need of

development. Each skills class will consist of one 2-hour lesson each week. Classes take the form of short 5

or 6-week courses during semester 1 and 2. The variety and scope of language skills support classes can vary

during the year to follow your changing requirements and skills provision needs. Additional skills classes or

skills workshops may also run if there is sufficient demand.

Teaching and learning methods

The learning and teaching uses methodology currently in use in the United Kingdom (e.g. related to critical

thinking, discussions, listening, task work etc.). We also offer a variety of language skills practice. Teaching

will focus on specific skills areas and use academic contexts to add relevance to the language skills practised

and developed in each class.

The structure and content of the In-sessional English for Academic Purposes programme provides an

opportunity to develop and extend a range of cognitive skills through practise of various academic languagerelated

activities and tasks. From the outset of the programme, cognitive skills are developed in

communicative learning activities such as task work, seminars and presentations. In-class discussion develops

the skills of processing, evaluating and summarising information (internally and through note-taking). Critical

thinking skills are also developed as you learn how to recognise subjectivity, analyse arguments objectively

and to apply these skills in your own work. You further develop cognitive skills through discussion, argument

and writing in various programme classes.

Informal oral in-class feedback is given to help you to identify any gaps in cognitive skills. This allows the

development of effective skill use to build on strengths and address weaknesses or gaps in conveying

subject- specific knowledge, or processing relevant concepts.

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

SELF-ACCESS LANGUAGE STUDY and LANGUAGE LEARNING SOFTWARE.

INTRODUCTION to UNIVERSITY STUDY in the UK.

ONLINE RESOURCE: THE EAP (ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES) TOOLKIT.

INDIVIDUAL TUTORIAL HELP.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.