Academic Reading (Pre-sessional 11) | PRES0004

Module overview

This module is non-credit bearing and forms part of Pre-sessional 11 Programme in which you study Academic Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. You also attend Independent Learning workshops to develop critical thinking and study skills necessary to succeed at University in the UK.

Academic Reading is taught in conjunction with Academic Writing as these skills often overlap; for example, academic reading leads to academic writing in the form of researched essays, reports and dissertations, so the two skill areas are taught together. This means that the separate Reading and Writing modules will appear on your timetable as a combined ‘Reading and Writing’ sessions. The Academic Reading module follows the University of Southampton Pre-sessional 11 Reading and Writing syllabus and has specific assessments for this module.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Understand how to use sources effectively for a specific purpose in your academic work
Engage in reading processes that are appropriate for your purposes
Identify relevant and reliable sources appropriate for your discipline
Understand academic conventions around referencing sources (e.g. books or articles) in your work
Understand differences between types and structures of texts in your discipline

Syllabus

A. FINDING RELEVANT SOURCES

1. Researching with a purpose

2. Using research skills to find appropriate sources

3. Developing criticality when finding sources and evaluating their usefulness

B. UNDERSTANDING SOURCES

1. Understanding sources at a level that is appropriate for a task

2. Applying reading strategies and awareness of academic texts to read more effectively

3. Being critical when reading academic texts (e.g. considering their different purposes, reliability, biases, arguments and strength of claims)

C. CONVEYING THE MEANING AND PURPOSES OF A SOURCE

1. Reflecting the exact ideas of sources as relevant to a task

2. Maintaining the purposes of sources in relation to a task

3. Expressing a critical understanding of a source in relation to other sources

D. USING SOURCES IN RESEARCHED WRITING

1. Using sources according to academic conventions (e.g. referencing and citing appropriately)

2. Using sources critically in writing to show important information, support and awareness

3. Enhancing researched writing through appropriate use of reading

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

You will experience a wide variety of teaching and learning methods including: full class teaching; individual, pair and group work in class; set tasks to be completed outside class; use of authentic texts;

Independent Learning workshops; self-directed independent study; and tutorials with your tutor. In your tutorials you will discuss your progress and have the opportunity to ask about your work and learning needs.

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	5
Teaching	6
Total study time	11

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

UEfAP website (Andy Gillet) [online].

British Council Learn English Writing for a Purpose.

Anglia Ruskin University [online].

University of Manchester – Academic Phrasebank (pages for introducing work, referring to the literature, being critical, describing methods, reporting results, discussing findings, writing conclusions, general functions).

University of Southampton LibGuides@Southampton (Academic Skills:Home- useful links for academic writing, critical thinking, information management, academic integrity, presentation skills, exam techniques and resources [online].

Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) [online].

LLAS webpage for exam preparation [online].

Academic Writing in English (AWE) Finnish Virtual Language Centre [online].

University of Nottingham AWL gapmaker [online].

University of Portsmouth [online]..

SAGE Study skills Resources.

University of Michigan Press [online].

University of Toronto [online].

University of Southampton Harvard Guide.

Cite them right online.

University of Nottingham AWL highlighter [online]..

Textbooks

K Pakenham, J McEntire and J Williams (2013). Making Connections Level 3 Student’s book: Skills and strategies for Academic Reading. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

S Bailey (2015b). Academic Writing for International Students of Business. Abingdon: Routledge.

J Bell and S Walters (2014). Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Open University Press.

S Bailey (2015a). Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students. Abingdon: Routledge.

J McCormack and J Slaght (2012). Extended Writing and Research Skills Course Book. Reading: University of Reading.

K McMillan and J Weyers (2013). How to Research & Write a Successful PhD. Harlow: Pearson Education.

C Sowton (2012). 50 Steps to Improving your Academic Writing: Study Book. Reading: Garnet Publishing Ltd.

S McCarter and P Jakes (2009). Uncovering EAP: How to Teach Academic Writing and Reading. Oxford: Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

J Godfrey (2013b). The Student Phrase Book: Vocabulary for writing at university. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

J Slaght (2012). English for Academic Study: Reading and Writing Source Book. Reading: University of Reading and Garnet Publishing Ltd.

K Paterson, and R Wedge (2013). Oxford Grammar for EAP: English Grammar and Practice for Academic Purposes with answers. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

R Pears and G Shield (2013). Cite them Right. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

A Wallwork (2012). English for Research: Usage, Style, and Grammar. New York: Springer US.

T Day (2013). Success in Academic Writing. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

S Cottrell (2011). Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

N Caplan (2012). Grammar Choices for Graduate and Professional Writers. Michigan: University of Michigan Press.

A Gillett, A Hammond and M Martala (2009). Successful Academic Writing (Inside Track Series). Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.

C Sowton (2014). Unlock Level 4 Reading and Writing Skills: Student's Book and Online Workbook. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

A Pallant (2012). English for Academic Study: Writing Course Book. Reading: University of Reading and Garnet Publishing Ltd.

D Burnapp (2009). Getting Ahead as an International Student. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill/Open University Press.

A Oshima and A Hogue (2006). Writing Academic English. New York: Pearson Education Ltd.

A Osmond (2013). Academic Writing and Grammar for Students. London: Sage Publications.

N Murray and G Hughes (2008). Writing Up Your University Assignments and Research Projects: A Practical Handbook. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Open University Press.

C Fletcher (2013). Skills for Study Level 3. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

A McNair and F Gooch (2013). Language for Study Level 3. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

H Reinders, N Moore and M Lewis (2008). The International Student Handbook. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

J Godfrey (2013a). How to Use Your Reading in Your Essays. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

R R Jordan (1999). Academic Writing Course. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.

D Hopkins and P Cullen (2007). Grammar for IELTS with Answers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

S Argent and O Alexander (2014). Access EAP: Frameworks Course Book. Reading: Garnet Publishing Ltd.

J Swales and C Feak (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students. Michigan: The University of Michigan Press.

Assessment

Formative

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

Reading task

Summative

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%