OEL067 - Advanced English for Masters Studies (2020/21)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2020/21 | |||||||||||||||
| Module status | DELETED (This module is no longer running) | |||||||||||||||
| Module title | Advanced English for Masters Studies | |||||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | |||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 20 | |||||||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | |||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 200 | |||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2020/21(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module is designed for Master’s students to advance their academic English language. The module focuses on improving students’ English language skills in academic writing and reading, as well as oral presentation. There is also a focus on enhancing their English language accuracy.
Students will:
• develop an advanced knowledge of academic English
• develop advanced presentation skills
• demonstrate the correct use of a wide range of grammar
• write clear, well-structured texts about complex subjects
• present information effectively
• identify and use appropriate register in written and oral texts
• understand the issue of plagiarism and how to avoid it
Syllabus
The module will cover areas such as advanced academic writing skills and grammar (e.g. reading and summarising relevant information, integrating source material in their writing, proofreading, referencing, paraphrasing, avoiding plagiarism, punctuation, cohesion and coherence, direct vs. indirect speech, active vs. passive mode and formal vs. informal style) as well as oral presentation skills. LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The module will be delivered through a blended learning strategy. Information and activities to support and further develop the skills required to pass the module will be offered in the classroom and through media. Students will be given weekly tasks to complete on Weblearn in order to support their independent learning experience.
Students will be provided with individual and group feedback on a weekly basis. Opportunities to reflect on learning and progress are built into the module. In particular, students will use the allocated online forum to share their reflections and provide peer-to-peer feedback.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. write about complex subjects in clear, advanced and well-structured texts in an appropriate academic style by following academic conventions
2. express themselves fluently in presentations and discussions
3. demonstrate the correct use of a wide range of grammar
4. present information effectively
Assessment strategy
As the learning outcomes for this modules are based on the development of language skills, the assessment instruments were chosen because of their practical characteristics.
The individual presentation offers a clear opportunity to assess the development of fluency and accuracy in oral communication. It also requires the student to familiarise themselves with relevant literature and evaluate their usefulness for the task. More importantly, this task allows the student adopt an independent role in their choice of topic as they can research an area connected with their master’s studies.
Similarly, the written assignment is a useful tool in the assessment of writing conventions and use of academic English at master’s level standards. As with the oral presentation, students are free to research a relevant topic of their choice, which will enable them to familiarise themselves with specialised vocabulary and different types of academic sources (e.g., journal articles, monographs, conference proceedings, and more).
Bibliography
Core resource:
Bailey, S. (2018) Academic writing: a handbook for international students. 5th Edition. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/londonmet/detail.action?docID=5178437.
Swales, J. and Feak, C. (2012) Academic writing for graduate students: essential skills and tasks. 3rd edn. Ann Arbour: University of Michigan Press.
Additional resources:
Day, T. (2013) Success in academic writing. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Emden, J. and Becker, L. (2010) Presentation skills for students. 2nd edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Hewings, M. (2005). Advanced grammar in use: a reference and practice book for advanced learners of English. Cambridge, England, Cambridge University Press.
McCarthy, M. and O’Dell, F. (2017) English phrasal verbs in use: 60 units of vocabulary reference and practice : self-study and classroom use, Advanced. 2nd edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Osmond, A. (2015) Academic Writing and Grammar for Students. 2nd edn. London: Sage.