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The Exeter Award

Enhance your employability


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Module code FCH3000 Module level 3
Module title Working Abroad - One Year
Module Co-ordinator Dr Mike Dobson
Credit value 120 ECTS Value 60
Pre-Requisites If the main language of the country of residence abroad is not English, an appropriate qualification (at least level 1) in that country's language is required. Otherwise no pre-requisites.
Co-Requisites None
Duration of module Two semesters
Total student study time 7 to 9 months during the student's period of residence abroad. 1200 hours, of which approximately 300 hours should be spent on specific tasks related to this module. For example, the 300 hours could be split approximately: induction and planning 30 hours; compiling journal 90 hours; preparation and writing of essay 60 hours; preparing and giving presentation 20 hours; independent language learning (if relevant) 100 hours - to reach sufficient standard language learning time (through separate modules) may have to commence one or two years prior to the year abroad

Aims

This module aims to enable students to:

  • Gain benefit from residence abroad by learning from a structured reflection on their experience
  • Add to their employability by developing vocational experience through:
    • seeking and successfully gaining a workplace abroad
    • being in a workplace for a significant period, and reflecting on that experience
  • Develop intercultural awareness and competence through reflection on the experience of living and working abroad
  • Enhance key transferable skills through the managing of their learning in an independent context, working with others, problem-solving and giving an oral presentation
  • Gain in personal development through residence and working abroad, and then transfer the skills acquired to both academic work and future vocational work
  • When appropriate to the main language of the country of residence, enhance their awareness of the process of foreign-language learning and to develop strategies for more effective language learning
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO's)

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

Module-Specific Skills:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the workplace in another country

2. Demonstrate intercultural awareness and competence

3. Show an ability to use appropriate language and presentation skills to analyse their experiences and to communicate conclusions, both orally and in writing

4. Where relevant, have appropriate foreign language skills within the workplace and outside it

Discipline-specific skills:

5. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the process of experiential learning by reflecting on and evaluating the experience of living and working abroad

6. Show an ability to reflect critically on the independent learning and self-management that residence abroad requires

Personal and Key Skills:

7. Show an ability to adapt to working and related practices in a foreign country, and reflect critically on them

8. Draw up an action plan for the development of their skills, knowledge and experience at each stage in the process (before / during / after the period abroad)

9. Be aware of the processes involved when applying for employment

Learning/Teaching Methods

Details of Learning and Teaching methods:

Linkage to ILO's:

While students are in Exeter, this module will use the following range of methods:

 
  • Seminar - induction session
 1-9
  • Learning the foreign language, where relevant
 4
  • Handbooks and guidance notes for the period abroad
1-9
  • On-line and workshop-based learning of appropriate PowerPoint presentation techniques
 3
  • 20-minute oral and illustrated presentation (using PowerPoint) by each student, in English, about the period of residence and working abroad, with class discussion
3, 5-6
While students are abroad, this module will use the following range of methods:  
  • Individual study and research (e.g. on the country, culture, language and particular workplace)
 1-9
  • Work experience and residence abroad for 7-9 months
 1-8
  • Self-based learning through compiling a reflective paper-based or web blog journal during the period preparing for going abroad and while actually abroad
 1-9
  • Opportunities for email and telephone contact with the tutor and other students working abroad
3, 5-7
  • Discussion board in WebCT
3, 5-9
Assignments and Assessments
Formative or % Contribution Form of Assessment Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length ILO's assessed by this assessment Feedback Method
Summative
40% of the final mark		 Reflective and analytical paper-based or web blog journal, written at least weekly, in English, for the period preparing for and during the time abroad. Submitted in completed form at the beginning of the first term of the academic year following the period abroad. approx. 6,000 words 3, 5-7, 9 Opportunity for verbal or electronic feedback from the tutor while the journal is being compiled. Written feedback and opportunity for verbal feedback after the journal is completed.
Summative
47% of the final mark		 Essay, in English, analysing and reflecting on the overall experience and what has been achieved. Submitted at the beginning of the first term of the academic year following the period abroad. approx. 2,000 words 1-9 Written feedback and opportunity for verbal feedback from the tutor
Summative
13% of the final mark 		Reflective and critical oral presentation (using PowerPoint), in English, about the period of residence and working abroad. Presented during the first term after the period abroad. 20 minutes 1-7 Immediate verbal comments from tutor and other students after delivery plus written feedback
Syllabus Plan
  • Language acquisition (where relevant) - to reach sufficient standard this may have to commence one or two years prior to the year abroad
  • Induction session and preparation for the residence and employment abroad (in the Spring term prior to the year spent abroad)
  • Commence compiling a reflective journal while preparing for the period abroad
  • Employment and residence abroad
  • Complete the reflective journal (submitted in its final form at the beginning of the first term of the academic year following the period abroad)
  • Write an essay on the experience (submitted at the beginning of the first term of the academic year following the period abroad)
  • Give a presentation on the work experience and residence abroad (during the first term after the period abroad)
Indicative Learning Resources

Indicative basic reading list:

  • Longson, S. (1999) Making Work Experience Count (How to Books) (St Luke's Library - 370.113 LON)
  • Gibbs, G. (1988) Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods (Further Education Unit) (St Luke's Library - 374 FUR)
  • Kolb, D. (1984) Experiential Learning: Experience as a source of Learning and Development (Prentice-Hall) (St Luke's Library - 370.152 KOL)
  • Moon, J. (2006) Learning journals: a handbook for reflective practice and professional development (Routledge) (St Luke's Library - 153.42 MOO)
  • Northedge, A. (2005) The good study guide (Open University) (main library - 029.6 NOR)
  • Race, P. (2003) How to study: practical tips for university students (Blackwell) (main library - 378.17 RAC)
  • Schön, D. (1990) Educating the reflective practitioner: toward a new design for teaching and learning in the professions (Jossey-Bass) (available at St Luke's Library - 378.013 SCH)

Indicative web-based resources:
Date of this version: 9.6.08 Prepared by: M.J.D.