Module overview
This module is designed to help you improve your command of spoken and written English, in particular the language and style used to communicate science and engineering. The module is intended to integrate with the work you do in your technical modules top support your learning during the Foundation Year and beyond.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Extract data and ideas from general and technical texts in a range of media with the support of reference materials.
- Interpret and analyse a range of information beyond mere description.
- Express facts and concepts clearly using some complex constructions and an appropriate range of vocabulary.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- How to write short technical texts in an appropriate academic style.
- Listening and note-taking skills: being able to understand the gist and some detail of general and technical texts from a range of media.
- How to approach the reading of scientific and technical texts.
- Relevant conventions followed in academic English (both written and spoken) in the fields of science and engineering.
- How to engage with a degree of good grammatical correctness and spontaneity in conversations relating to most everyday topics as well as in discussions and presentations on some technical topics.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Take part in discussion, seminars and tutorials.
- Work as a member of a team by cooperating with others, negotiating, listening to others in the group, sharing responsibilities/tasks and meeting deadlines.
- Use a variety of resources for the purpose of independent study.
- Apply a range of reading strategies and use the library.
- Organise your language learning effectively: reflect on your progress; set study targets and learn how to plan and organise your own learning schedule.
- Prepare and deliver oral presentations, both individually and as part of a team.
- Research and produce a project. Note that assessment of the project forms part of the GENG0015 Coursework module.
Syllabus
This module will provide a consolidation and extension of previous linguistic knowledge within the study and production of material of use on undergraduate programmes in the fields of science and engineering. It will present and practise key language structures, integrating them with strategies for communication. The module will have a broadly technical / scientific focus and examine texts and academic conventions appropriate to this genre.
You will become more autonomous and independent in your approach to language learning and know how to use a wide range of resources to achieve this goal. You will develop language and study skills to help you succeed on your undergraduate programme: listening skills for greater understanding and better note taking in lectures; speaking skills for successful participation in seminars and discussion groups; reading skills for more effective reading; referencing skills for selecting useful sources and using the library effectively; writing skills for effective academic assignments and exam answers.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Learning activities include
- Individual, pair work and group study/research
- Preparing and delivering presentations and discussions
Teaching methods include
- Seminars
- Individual tutorials
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Completion of assessment task | 2 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 20 |
Revision | 12 |
Lecture | 48 |
Tutorial | 48 |
Follow-up work | 20 |
Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Referral Policy: Referred students will retake examination paper only. The marks for the written
assignment and oral presentation already acquired during the academic year will be combined with
the new examination mark to determine referred module mark.
Repeat year either externally or internally: For external repeat, students will take the examination
paper only and marks for the written assignment and oral presentation already acquired will be carried
forward and combined with the new examination mark to determine module mark.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Continuous Assessment | 30% |
Final Assessment | 70% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External