This module is designed to ensure that all students complete a comprehensive English Language module that will serve further academic study. It is benchmarked at RQF Level 3 and against IELTS and CEFR overall and by subskill. The module is divided into the four typical language subheadings of Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening but can also be defined and planned under two broad parts: Part 1 will help set language and academic skills in context. This provides a range of models, materials and tasks to create familiarity with the use of English language in the academic world. It is achieved through engagement with appropriate lectures, classes and supported self-study covering discussion of academic conventions and the presentations of research to different audiences and for different purposes.
Themes will relate to those studied in academic content modules to ensure that students relate academic skills to their academic subjects. It is the part of the module that increases familiarity with English in an academic context through immersion and modelling and focuses on acquiring good spoken skills, confidence in listening and immersion through reading. Part 2 provides an increased focus on students’ use of English in a purposeful context. Its purpose is to develop the skills associated with being a critical academic learner when writing, responding to or sharing information and in debating academic issues or producing presentations / essays. The module also aims to develop skills needed to identify an appropriate range of academic sources and using these competently and in accordance with academic conventions.
Learning Aims (include but not limited to)
Students will be able to:
- Produce well-structured written text showing controlled use of the conventions used in academic writing;
- Demonstrate an understanding of a range of written texts which are of a general and academic nature;
- Express themselves with a degree of fluency and accuracy that enables spoken communication in a general and academic context;
- Develop active listening skills in general and academic contexts;
- Develop inter-cultural understanding to support communication in a UK context;
- Demonstrate a critical and questioning approach to information that may be taken for granted;
- Produce extended written text showing controlled use of academic conventions and independent research;
- Express themselves with fluency and accuracy through the delivery of an oral presentation on a specific subject with evidence;
- Demonstrate self-reflection and independence of thought;
- Demonstrate sufficient improvement in their English language competence suitable for entry on undergraduate study (IELTS level 6.5 or above).
Assessment Objectives
These over-arching aims are broken down into the four key Assessment Objectives and are assigned to RQF Level 3 descriptors. Outcomes can also be benchmarked against IELTS and CEFR.
AO 1: Listening – Understand and respond to spoken texts. Students should be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of spoken academic language and texts in English by responding to them in short answers to questions in their own words;
- Demonstrate criticality based on their listening by responding to questions asking for interpretation based on spoken English text or discussion;
- Demonstrate the ability to form opinions based on their listening to spoken English texts by answering opinion led questions about the content;
- Communicate the above with clarity and accuracy.
This is divided in our model for learning outcomes in AO 1.1 and AO 1.2, with AO 1.1 focussing on the process of listening and taking understanding from that skill set, and AO 1.2 on the demonstration of that skill in a response.
AO 1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework of media and contexts of media and their influence on media products and processes.
AO 2: Reading – Understand and respond to written texts. Students should be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of written academic text in English by using them to give short answers to questions in their own words;
- Demonstrate criticality based on their reading by responding to questions asking for interpretation based on written English text;
- Demonstrate the ability to form opinions based on their reading of written English texts by answering opinion led questions about the content;
- Communicate the above with clarity and accuracy.
This is divided in our model for learning outcomes in AO 2.1 and AO 2.2, with AO 2.1 focussing on the process of reading and taking understanding from that skill set, and AO 2.2 on the demonstration of that skill in a response.
AO 3: Speaking – Communicate effectively in an academic setting. Students should be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to orally present ideas and content in English based on academic input material;
- Demonstrate the ability to interact effectively with peers in English, communicating opinions and explaining key concepts from academic input material;
- Use accurate and appropriate English academic vocabulary, terminology and grammatical structures to convey meaning.
AO 4: Writing – Produce academic written work. Students should be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to produce an extended piece of academic writing in English; Demonstrate the ability to produce an extended piece of academic writing in English;
- Demonstrate criticality by effectively using own voice supported by academic sources in their written work in English;
- Demonstrate the ability to cite source material and reference it accurately and effectively;
- Use accurate and appropriate academic vocabulary, terminology and grammatical structures to convey meaning.
| Assessment | Indicative weighting | Indicative length | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
Paper 1 Listening and Reading Exam Covering AO2 |
10 credits | 2 hours |
| 2. |
Speaking Assessment (SPA)
Covering LOs 21-26 |
10 credits | 30 Minutes |
| 3. |
Paper 2 Writing Exam Covering LOs LOs |
10 credits | 2 hours |