English for Academic Study

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Present reasoned and structured arguments, both orally and in written form;
• Extract and synthesise key information from written and spoken sources;
• understand detailed reasoning.
• Interpret and analyse a range of information;
• Express facts and concepts clearly using appropriate language;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Listen to, understand and take notes in lectures;
• Employ a range of general and academic vocabulary appropriately
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations, both individually and as part of a team.
• Work as a member of a team by cooperating with others, negotiating, listening to others in a group, sharing responsibilities & tasks and meeting deadlines:
• Organise your study time effectively;
• Take part in discussion, seminars and tutorials;
• Write short academic essays including pieces of researched writing;
• Apply a range of reading strategies;

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• command of academic English vocabulary
• Effective note taking
• effective reading, listening, presentation techniques
• Writing cohesive, well contracted essays and reports
• Using citation and referencing to acknowledge source materials

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• what is expected of an undergraduate student in British Higher Education, especially in terms of approach to studying and learning;
• how academic texts are structured
• the relevant conventions followed in academic English (both written and spoken);
• the English language skills need to study as an undergraduate at a British university.

Through the study of a series of current topics, you will gain the ability to analyse and express your views on these themes. The will enable you to apply the concepts learned through the medium of academic English. You will become more autonomous and independent in your approach to academic study. 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.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

Lectures, seminars and individual support from your academic advisor.

Learning activities include

Individual study, group and pair work, preparing presentations and discussions in small groups and tutorials.

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

University of Southampton study skills materials.

Textbooks

Williams K. & Carroll J. (2009). Referencing & Understanding Plagiarism.

De Chazal E. et al (2012). Oxford EAP – Upper Intermediate.

Assessment strategy

Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback

 on oral presentations

 classroom guidance on coursework and project work.

 on your work via academic advisors

Your work will be formally assessed through:-

 two reading and writing exams

 two listening exams

 an oral presentation

 an assessed seminar

 four essays

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.