Description
English Language and Study Skills for Engineering
Module title | English Language and Study Skills for Engineering |
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Module code | INT1101 |
Academic year | 2018/9 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff | Kirsten Louise McCall (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 12 | 12 | 3 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
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Description - summary of the module content
Module description
This module is designed to enable you to improve your English language proficiency and study skills so that you can engage more fully with your academic studies on all modules, and maximise the benefits of your studies on the International Year One programme and your subsequent studies. A variety of assessment methods are used including writing assignments, having seminar discussions and delivering presentations and these will help you to understand the methods commonly used in higher education in the UK.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to enable students who already have a degree of proficiency in spoken and written language skills to develop and strengthen the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking in an academic context. During the seminar skills classes the aim is to develop confidence, fluency and accuracy when participating in seminar discussion, presenting the outcome of personal research to a group, or listening to speakers. In their academic writing skills classes the core aim is that students will develop awareness and proficiency in essential skills when undertaking written assignments both on the current programme and in their subsequent study programme. Through these processes students will, at the same time learn to manage their time so that they can work to deadlines.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Use language creatively and flexibly for a range of purposes and audiences
- 2. Engage actively in discussion and show awareness of the communicative needs of others
- 3. Engage in analytical and evaluative thinking
- 4. Research effectively and use target language source materials appropriately
- 5. Extract and synthesise key information from a range of written and spoken sources
- 6. Take accurate and effective notes
- 7. Organise and present ideas within the framework of a structured and reasoned argument
- 8. Monitor writing for good academic practice that avoids plagiarism
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Participate effectively in key elements of the taught programme, which involves operating in the general field of engineering
- 10. Engage in research relating to the specific subject area
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 11. Deliver an effective presentation
- 12. Use spoken and written language skills competently in English
- 13. Use technology relevant to your studies, e.g. electronic library catalogues, IT tools, Virtual Learning Environments
- 14. Work co-operatively with others and provide and make use of effective feedback on tasks
Syllabus plan
Syllabus plan
The four skills areas will be covered concurrently in class time. Subskills will be covered sequentially.
Spoken Language Skills
- Group discussion skills: using language appropriately, flexibly and creatively; formulating questions about what they have heard to initiate discussion; showing awareness of other people’s communicative needs by supporting and encouraging their contributions.
- Presentation skills: presenting a topic which students have researched, to their group, having organised material to ensure clarity and coherence.
- Listening: comprehension and note-taking skills.
Written Language Skills
- Reading skills: understanding the structure and ideas of complex, simplified written text; adopting an analytical approach to text compare different writers’ views.
- Techniques for monitoring understanding: engaging with text content; relating it to their own knowledge base; developing vocabulary which is related to their field of academic study, i.e. engineering.
- Research and writing skills: analysis of essay titles and establishing the focus required to answer the question.
- Evaluating sources for their relevance and academic credibility.
- Locating information from a variety of text types.
- Effective note-taking for assignments.
- Synthesising information from different sources.
- Supporting arguments using source material through summary, paraphrase, quotation.
- Making clear and correctly formatted references to sources.
- Compiling reference lists according to Harvard conventions.
- Monitoring their writing for good academic practice which avoids plagiarism; using Turnitin.
- Completing a written assignment relevant to the field of engineering in line with academic conventions.
Learning and teaching
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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156 | 144 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Written language skills | 78 | Classes teacher led, you will need to prepare for each session |
Spoken language skills | 78 | Classes teacher led, you will need to prepare for each session |
Guided independent learning | 46 | Materials on ELE preparation for assessed activities |
Assigned tasks & assessment | 98 | Home study reading and preparation |
Assessment
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Group presentation | In groups, (15-25mins) 5 minutes per student | 1-5, 7, 9-14 | Written and spoken teacher feedback and peer feedback |
Listening and Note-taking Exam | 60 minutes | 3, 5, 6 | Written and spoken feedback |
Seminar | In groups, (20-30mins) 5 minutes per student | 1-7, 9, 10, 12, 14 | Written and spoken teacher feedback and peer feedback |
ding & Writing Exam | 2 Hours | 1,3,5,7-9,12 | Written and spoken feedback |
Written Assignment | 600-800 words, excluding references | 1,3-5,7-10,12-14 | Written and spoken feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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25 | 40 | 35 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Group Presentation | 15 | In groups 5 minutes per student | 1-5, 7, 9-14 | Written feedback |
Listening and Note-taking Exams | 15 | 60 minutes each | 3, 5, 6 | Written feedback |
Seminar | 20 | In groups, 5 minutes per student | 1-7, 9, 10, 12, 14 | Written feedback |
Reading and Writing Exam | 25 | 2 Hours | 1, 3, 5, 7-9, 12 | Written feedback |
Written Assignment | 25 | 1250 words, excluding references | 1, 3-5, 7-10, 12-14 | Written feedback |
Re-assessment
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Group Presentation | Group or individual presentation (5 minutes) | 1-5, 7, 9-14 | Before APAC |
Listening and Notetaking Exams | Listening and Notetaking exam | 3, 5, 6 | Before APAC |
Group Seminar | Seminar or individual interview (10 minutes) | 1-7, 9, 10, 12, 14 | Before APAC |
Reading and Writing Exams | Reading and Writing Exam | 1, 3, 5, 7-9, 12 | Before APAC |
Written assignment | Written assignment | 1, 3-5, 7-10, 12-14 | Before APAC |
Re-assessment notes
In cases of referral, re-assessment will apply only to the failed elements. The module will be capped at 40%.
In cases of deferral, re-assessment will apply only to the affected elements.
Resources
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Davies, J. W. (2001) Communication Skills: A Guide for Engineering and Applied Science Students. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.
Dunn, M., Howey, D. & Ilic, A. (2010). English for Mechanical Engineering in Higher Education Studies. Reading; Garnet Education.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English For Advanced learners. (2014). (6th edition). Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.
Maier, P., Barney, A. & Price, G. (2009). Study Skills for Science, Engineering and Technology Students. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE INT1101
Module has an active ELE page
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Manning, A., Wilding, E. & Harvey, P. (2007). Seminars and Tutorials. Reading: Garnet Publishing Ltd.
Swales, J. M. & Feak, C. B. (2004). Academic Writing for Graduate Students : Essential Tasks and Skills. Michigan: University of Michigan Press
Credit value | 30 |
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Module ECTS | 15 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 4 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 29/05/2012 |
Last revision date | 06/08/2018 |