module specification

This module is designed to advance the students’ English language skills to the level required for their academic study and to develop their written and oral fluency in English Language, their reading comprehension and their analytical expertise at Common European Framework of Reference C1/C2. There is an emphasis on lexical development and autonomous learning. The module is adaptable to the language abilities of students and can be taught to students studying in different years.

Students will:

• develop their knowledge of academic English in relation to their studies

• develop their advanced reading, writing and speaking proficiency

• be able to express themselves fluently and relate their contribution to other speakers

• research and write clear, well-structured texts about complex subjects at Common European Framework of Reference C1/C2.

• present information effectively to a given audience

• demonstrate the correct use of a wide range of vocabulary, phrases and expressions

OEL001 OELO61 Ease 50+ or B2 Common European Framework

Lexis and phrasing LO1
Students are expected to study and use appropriately:
• common idioms, collocations, phrasal verbs;
•  similes and metaphor;
• word forms and compound adjectives;
• antonyms, synonyms and neologisms;
• a variety of registers.

Language structure LO1
The following will be discussed and applied in a number of contexts:
• sequence of tenses in short texts;
• clauses: purpose and reason, defining and non-defining;
• standard punctuation;
• direct and reported speech.

Reading and writing LO3, LO4
Students will be introduced to a number of texts from a variety of sources. They will:
• select and summarise relevant information in response to tasks;
• identify global and specific information;
• identify and understand cultural inferences, digression and purpose in given texts;
• select evidence to support a viewpoint;
• write in a variety of registers including academic English;
• write for a number of purposes: reports, letters, proposals etc.; organise paragraphs and texts at the appropriate level of proficiency C1/C2.

Listening LO2
The emphasis in the module is both on authentic listening and controlled practice. Students will:
• select information from a range of sources in order to complete tasks;
• differentiate between global and specific information;
• take notes, reconstitute notes.

Spoken English LO2
Students will:
• apply appropriate register in a variety of tasks;
• practise taking equal turns in academic discussion, listening to others and giving and receiving information.

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.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of a wide range of lexical items and use language accurately.
2. Demonstrate competency in spoken English proficiency at a CEFR C1/C2 level.
3. Demonstrate competency in written work, demonstrate the conventions of academic referencing and strategies for avoiding plagiarism.
4. Research a given topic using electronic and paper based resources and use critical thinking to analyse texts and evaluate sources.

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 achievement of a C1/C2 level (CEFR) of 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 of their own interest.

Similarly, the written assignment is a useful tool in the assessment of writing conventions and use of academic English at a C1/C2 level. 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).

Core resource:

Gude, K., Duckworth, M. and Rogers, L. (2012) Cambridge English: proficiency masterclass. Oxford: OUP.

Additional resources:

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.

Capel, A. and Sharpe, W. (2012) Cambridge English: objective proficiency. Cambridge: CUP.

Glendinning, E. and Holmström, B. (2004) Study reading: a course in reading skills for academic purposes. Cambridge: CUP.

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.

Vince, M. (2014) Language practice for advanced: English grammar and vocabulary. 4th edition. London: Macmillan.